Purchasing Assistant

University of Cambridge; Newtown; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

The University of Cambridge is seeking a motivated individual to join the Finance team's Purchasing Function. You will work as part of a team of buyers, processing transactions on CUFS, handling queries, and producing activity and spend reports. The role emphasizes collaboration with diverse stakeholders and adherence to university guidelines.

Hybrid working is available following a probationary period. Applicants should be educated to A level standard or have equivalent practical experience,

Qualifications

• Educated to at least 'A' level standard or equivalent or with practical experience.
• Experience in purchasing/procurement in a large organisation is desirable.
• Ability to provide accurate and timely responses to customer requests and to work with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct purchasing support to the Department, including processing purchasing transactions on CUFS.
• Handle incoming queries on purchasing and related matters.
• Prepare activity and spend reports using CUFS and Cognos, and identify workflow improvements.
• Advise and assist stakeholders sourcing goods and services in line with university regulations.
• Collaborate with academic, technical and administrative staff and students to source goods and services.
• Maintain documentation covering local procedures and ensure compliance with University guidelines.

Skills

Excellent communication

Organisational skills

Numerate

Stakeholder management

Teamwork

CUFS experience

Problem solving

Education

A levels or equivalent

Tools

CUFS

Cognos

Oracle Fusion

Job description

To support the Department's operational and research requirements, the dedicated Purchasing team now uses Jira, an advanced request management system. The forthcoming implementation of Oracle Fusion as the University's new Finance system is expected to further enhance the Department's purchasing and procurement capabilities. We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our Finance team (Purchasing Function). Whether you already have experience or are looking to begin a long term career in procurement, this is an excellent opportunity to develop your skills in a supportive, modern working environment that supports employee wellbeing and offers a friendly, team orientated culture. Reporting to a Purchasing Administrator in the team, you will undertake a range of purchasing and procurement duties within the Department's Finance office following University policy and procedures and best practice. The role-holder will ensure that all purchasing adheres to best practice and guidelines issued by the University Procurement Service. The successful candidate will be able to work effectively with multiple stakeholder groups, including academic, technical and administrative staff and students, to deliver efficient ways to source goods and services for the wide range of activities undertaken by the Department. They will be educated to at least 'A' level standard or with equivalent level of practical experience and be confident in providing accurate and timely response to customer requests, with excellent communication and organisational skills.

The Role You will provide direct purchasing support to the Department, including:

• Work as part of a team of buyers to process purchasing transactions on CUFS, the University's finance system
• Handle incoming queries on purchasing and related matters
• Preparing activity and spend reports using tools including CUFS and COGNOS, and identify opportunities to improve workflow
• Provide guidance and assistance to stakeholders sourcing goods and services in line with best practice and University regulations, maintain documentation covering local procedures
• Have experience of working in a busy purchasing or finance function within a large organisation.
• Confident and experienced in working on projects with multiple stakeholder groups.
• Highly numerate and have good oral and written communication skills.
• Skilled in dealing with financial or procurement controls and able to prioritise your own workload.

The Cavendish is supportive of Hybrid working and following completion of a probationary period, operates an 'in more than out' policy. All Hybrid working is subject to operational requirements.