Avanti West Coast
Procurement Assistant
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Procurement Assistant
We're looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Procurement Assistant to support the delivery of procurement services across the business.
Working closely with the Senior Procurement Manager, Operations, you'll help ensure procurement processes run efficiently by providing support across reporting, analytics, supplier management, procurement systems, and continuous improvement initiatives.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop their procurement career within an established and collaborative team, while contributing to key business initiatives, including preparations for the transition into Public Ownership.
What You'll Be Doing
As a Procurement Assistant, you'll play a vital role in supporting the day-to-day operation of the procurement function. Your responsibilities will include:
- Maintaining and administering procurement databases, including contract and savings reporting tools.
- Producing regular reports and analytics for senior stakeholders, including Procurement Leadership Forums, the Department for Transport, and internal directorate reporting.
- Supporting the Senior Procurement Manager, Operations, with projects and providing assistance to the wider procurement team when required.
- Acting as the subject matter expert for procurement systems, including the contract repository, spend management systems, and Purchase-to-Pay (P2P) processes.
- Managing supplier accreditation, risk management, and vendor onboarding activities.
- Coordinating supplier quality assurance, safety assessments, and high-level financial assessments.
- Supporting purchase order management, including affiliate order management.
- Working closely with FirstGroup Procurement and other Train Operating Companies to share best practice and improve procurement processes.
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About You
You'll be an organised, motivated individual with excellent communication and analytical skills. You enjoy working with data, systems, and processes, and you're passionate about delivering excellent service and continuous improvement.
Ideally, you'll have:
- Experience in a procurement, purchasing, supply chain, or business support role.
- Strong administrative and reporting skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Experience using procurement, finance, or ERP systems.
- Good analytical skills with confidence working with data and producing reports.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships across all levels of the business.
- A proactive approach to problem-solving and process improvement
If this opportunity excites you, we'd love to hear from you! If you don't yet have the skills and experience required for this role but are interested in starting a career with us, you may be eligible to join our apprenticeship giving you the opportunity to develop the knowledge and experience needed for future roles.
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Benefits
As well as working with a fantastic team you will also receive:
- Final salary pension
- Free travel on Avanti West Coast for you/spouse/partner/dependents
- Privilege Travel card (75% off other train operators fares for leisure travel)
- 30 days holiday rising by 1 for every completed year of service to a maximum of 37 days (inclusive of bank holidays)
- 10 free journeys on other First Group Train Operators
We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any time due to high volumes of applications.
Diversity and Inclusion
At Avanti West Coast, we value the differences that make each of us outstanding! Avanti West Coast recognises the benefits of building a diverse workforce and employing people from diverse backgrounds, which includes their race, religion, age, gender, gender identity, disability, and sexual orientation.
Everyone who joins Avanti West Coast becomes part of our close-knit team. We're committed to ensuring that Avanti West Coast is inclusive, a place where people are encouraged to be themselves, and not an edited version to fit in. A place where differences are encouraged, recognised, accepted and put to good use.
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