Operational Buyer

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

The Role
Are you looking for an opportunity to put your organisational skills and eye for detail to good use in a supportive, fast-paced environment?

We have an exciting fixed-term opportunity (12 months) for an Operational Buyer to join our Procurement Operations Team.  


Under the guidance of the Procurement Operations Team Leaders, you'll play a crucial role in processing purchase requisitions into purchase orders using the University's Finance System (SAP). You will also handle queries relating to orders, invoicing, receiving of goods/services, and vendor management — ensuring smooth, efficient, and compliant procurement operations. 

This is a varied and rewarding role, giving you the chance to:

• Deliver procurement operations to the highest industry standards and meet departmental service levels.
• Onboard appropriate, qualified suppliers for use by University stakeholders.
• Build strong working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.

We're looking for a confident communicator who is well-organised, and customer focused. Good levels of numerical and IT skills, along with time management skills, are essential to succeed in this role.

If you're ready to begin your career in the Purchasing and Procurement team within a respected organisation, we'd love to hear from you.

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be addressed to Rob Browell, Rob.Browell@newcastle.ac.uk.

Please ensure you upload a covering letter with your CV when applying for this role.

Key Accountabilities

• To ensure requisitions and orders follow the requirements of the University’s Financial Regulations, Financial Procedures and Purchasing Policy and Guidance.
• Contribute to the smooth running of the operational purchasing elements of the University’s SAP Finance System.
• Ensure that requisitions are checked and either rejected for amendment or converted to an order in line with the purchasing rules.
• Challenge end users with regards to VAT queries/category discrepancies when raising orders.
• Preparing and issuing purchase orders, using standard procedures, promptly to suppliers.
• Undertake vendor amendments where required, liaising with vendors and end users to ensure amendments/unblock requests are dealt with quickly and efficiently.
• Assist in essential system housekeeping routines, in line with the prevailing Service Level Agreement.
• Provide support for various users related to system queries and transactional processing.
• Facilitate ordering through knowledge of approved contracts/suppliers and other specialist requirements for ordering e.g. specific lab supplies etc.
• Liaise with suppliers, where required, to chase late or missing orders to ensure that end users receive goods/services that they request through the SAP system.
• Support the work of the Procurement Operations Management team including:
  • Attend and contribute to financial operations meetings to provide advice/training on the e-Marketplace.
  • Input on feedback to relevant area of Finance regarding any issues.
  • Share experience/knowledge with other Operational Buyers.
• Such other duties as the Procurement Hub Management Team may reasonably require.

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