Role: Graduate or Junior Assistant Buyer / procurement administrator
Team: Operational
Location: Central Bristol
Onsite: 4x days a week with Friday as WFH
Salary: £28,000 - £39,000
Benefits: Profit share bonus £5,000 - £10,000 on top of your salary per annum guaranteed and support for professional qualifications
The Role:
We are looking for a proactive and detail-focused Assistant Operational Procurement Officer to join our growing Procurement team.
This role sits at the heart of our day-to-day supply chain activity, ensuring materials and services are delivered on time, in full, and to the highest standard.
Working in a fast-paced SME environment, you will play a key role in maintaining supply continuity through close, consistent supplier engagement. You will act as a primary point of contact for suppliers, building strong, collaborative relationships, driving clear communication, and ensuring commitments are understood and met. Through regular interaction, proactive follow-up, and effective issue resolution, you will help strengthen supplier performance and reliability.
You will support project delivery across the business, working closely with internal stakeholders and suppliers to align priorities, manage expectations, and keep critical deliveries on track.
This role forms part of a collaborative Procurement function, and responsibilities may flex across both Operational and Sourcing activities as required to support business priorities. While core accountabilities are defined, the role holder will be expected to adapt to the evolving needs of the business and contribute across the wider Procurement team.
Assistant Procurement Officer (Entry/Mid-Level)
Key Responsibilities:
- Raise and manage purchase orders in line with business requirements and procurement processes
- Actively manage the orderbook to ensure on-time delivery and accurate supplier commitments
- Expedite deliveries and proactively resolve supply or delivery issues
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers
- Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders including Sourcing, Projects, Bids & Business Development
- Support supplier performance through regular engagement and follow-up
- Ensure accurate system data and maintain strong attention to detail across all procurement activities
- Identify risks within the supply chain and escalate where required
Requirements for someone entry level:
- Degree-level qualification (or working towards)
- Project management experience in procurement (Defence sector preferred)
- APM membership desirable
- Strong Excel and data analysis skills
- Microsoft Project familiarity (desirable)
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel
Requirements for someone with experience:
- Strong understanding of procurement fundamentals (PO placement, supplier management, orderbook control)
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
- A proactive, self-motivated, "can-do" attitude with the ability to work at pace
- Strong communication, relationship-building and engagement skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic SME environment
- Comfortable working cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders
- MRP / ERP experience and ability to learn and adapt to new systems
- Full driving licence and willingness to travel within the UK and internationally
- Ability to obtain the relevant Security Clearance (SC)
- Interest in or experience within the defence sector (desirable)
- Applicable qualifications: CIPS, APICS, NVQ or Degree in Procurement (desirable)
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a collaborative, growing SME delivering critical solutions into the defence sector
- Work in a fast-paced, high-impact environment where your contribution is visible and you can make a real difference to both the team and wider organisation
- Join a supportive and forward-thinking Procurement team that values collaboration, continuous improvement, and shared success
- Opportunities for development and progression within Procurement, with exposure across both Operational and Sourcing activities, as well as the opportunity to gain Project-related experience
- Be part of a function that is evolving, giving you the chance to contribute ideas, shape processes, and influence how we work
- Gain exposure to a wide and varied supply chain, building strong supplier relationships and developing your commercial and operational skillset
- Competitive salary and benefits package, including profit share bonus scheme
Pay: £30,000.00-£39,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
