Assistant Buyer
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We are seeking an Assistant Buyer to work from Our Greenwich Office. You will play a vital role in supporting the purchasing and procurement Team. Working under the supervision of Senior Buyers or Procurement Managers, they assist in sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing goods and services required for business operations.
Responsibilities
- Assist in identifying potential suppliers and vendors through market research, online searches, and networking. Evaluate supplier capabilities, pricing, quality, and reliability to determine suitability for the organisation's needs.
- Purchase Order Processing: Assist in processing purchase orders and requisitions in accordance with company policies and procedures. Coordinate with internal departments to ensure accurate specifications, quantities, and delivery schedules are specified.
- Support senior buyers in negotiating prices, terms, and contracts with suppliers to secure favourable terms and pricing agreements. Seek opportunities to achieve cost savings and value for money through effective negotiation strategies.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with suppliers and vendors through regular communication and collaboration. Address any issues or concerns promptly and work towards resolving disputes or discrepancies.
- Assist in monitoring inventory levels and stock availability to ensure adequate supply to meet demand. Coordinate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to manage stock levels effectively and minimize stockouts or overstock situations.
- Conduct market research and analysis to identify emerging trends, new products, and competitive pricing strategies. Provide insights and recommendations to senior buyers to support informed purchasing decisions.
- Maintain accurate records of purchasing activities, contracts, and supplier agreements. Prepare reports, summaries, and analyses of purchasing data for management review and decision-making purposes.
Skills & Experience
- Strong analytical skills to evaluate supplier proposals, pricing models, and contract terms. Ability to interpret data and identify trends to support purchasing decisions.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to interact effectively with suppliers, internal stakeholders, and team members. Ability to negotiate terms, resolve conflicts, and build positive relationships.
- Good organisational and time management skills to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
- Meticulous attention to detail when processing purchase orders, reviewing contracts, and documenting purchasing activities to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Basic negotiation skills to participate in price negotiations and contract discussions with suppliers. Willingness to learn and develop negotiation techniques under the guidance of senior buyers.
- Proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Excel, Word, Outlook) and purchasing software or ERP systems for order processing, data analysis, and reporting.
- Understanding of market dynamics, supply chain management principles, and procurement best practices. Awareness of industry trends, regulations, and compliance requirements related to purchasing and procurement activities.
Company Information:
Established in 1994, OCU Group is one of the fastest growing utility engineering contractors in the UK, with a long successful track record in delivering customer-focused civil engineering solutions.
Working directly with many of the country’s leading blue-chip power, water, telecoms, and rail clients, we are looking for the very best talent to join our growing team.
We pride ourselves on empowering our employees and offering opportunities for them to take control of their own personal development and career progression in a supportive environment.
We believe that being successful is a choice.
We choose to be successful.
We are OCU, ‘One Company United’.
We celebrate difference and appreciate diverse backgrounds. We encourage everyone who join us to be themselves at work and create inclusive teams in our workplace.
- Division
- OCU Modus
- Locations
- Greenwich Modus
- Employment type
- Full-time
Greenwich Modus
Our People, our Culture, our Values
As a business, we pride ourselves on operating a ‘People First’ culture, striving to constantly deliver on our 5 core company values.
1. We Care about Safety - It is our goal for everyone working on our behalf to go home healthy and safe at the end of each and every day.
2. We lead with Integrity - Integrity is central to everything we do. Without it, we wouldn’t have the relationships with our clients, nor would we have built an enviable reputation within the industry.
3. We strive to be Better everyday - We take pride in everything we do. This involves a meticulous approach to our work, endeavouring to make each day better than the last.
4. We make a Positive Impact - We want to make the places we work in better; leaving a lasting infrastructure and social legacy. We believe in proactivity to maximise impact.
5. We Deliver to Grow - The successful delivery of frameworks and contracts feeds our ability to grow strategically and strengthen OCU to expand the business and capabilities even further.
About OCU
Established in 1994, OCU Group is one of the fastest growing utility engineering contractors in the UK, with a long successful track record in delivering customer-focused civil engineering solutions.
Working directly with many of the country’s leading blue-chip power, water, telecoms and rail clients, we are looking for the very best talent to join our growing team.
We pride ourselves on empowering our employees and offering opportunities for them to take control of their own personal development and career progression in a supportive environment.
We believe that being successful is a choice.
We choose to be successful.
We are OCU, ‘One Company United’.
Assistant Buyer
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