Assistant Buyer Location: Egremont, Cumbria / Westlake's, Cumbria / Preston / Hybrid / Remote Job type: Permanent / Temporary /Full time / Part time Salary / rate: Competitive Delkia is a specialist engineering and technology company for safety-related and mission critical systems in highly regulated sectors, including aerospace, clean energy and maritime sectors. Our offer incorporates: engineering design, technical consultancy and systems integration. We believe that engineering is not just about technology, manufacturing and innovation. It’s about the people behind it. Delkia ensures that its teams are the focus of its business through passion, belief and simply a better way of working, resulting in great outcomes for our customers. We’re also proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and invest in future talent through supporting STEM initiatives, apprenticeships, placements and summer interns. The company’s Head Office is at Westlake's Science and Technology Park in West Cumbria, with systems integration, assembly & testing facilities in Egremont, Cumbria and design offices in Preston, Lancashire. This is augmented by a network of staff working across the UK, creating a dynamic and highly skilled team. Come and join a company that values our people and is growing fast. Overview of the role As a Junior Buyer, you will assist the purchasing department in sourcing, negotiating, and procuring materials, goods, and services essential for the organization's day-to-day operations. You will collaborate closely with senior buyers, vendors, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely and cost-effective procurement processes. You will play a key role in Delkia’s future. What you’ll be responsible for Sourcing and Vendor Management: Identify potential suppliers/vendors through research and networking. Request quotes, proposals, and bids from vendors. Evaluate supplier capabilities, pricing, and quality of goods or services. Maintain relationships with existing suppliers and identify new potential vendors. Purchase Order Management: Create and manage purchase orders in accordance with company policies and procedures. Monitor order status and delivery schedules to ensure timely receipt of goods. Address any discrepancies or issues with orders, invoices, or deliveries. Negotiation: Assist in negotiating favourable terms and pricing with suppliers. Collaborate with senior buyers to achieve cost savings and favourable contract terms. Inventory Management: Collect and analyse data related to purchasing activities, such as supplier performance, pricing trends, and cost savings. Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Maintain accurate records of purchasing transactions and vendor contracts. Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with departments such as finance, operations, and logistics to support their procurement needs. Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders to understand their requirements and provide timely support. Identify opportunities for process improvement and cost optimization within the purchasing function. What you’ll bring Already qualified or willing to obtain relevant qualifications Previous experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain preferred Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication and negotiation abilities. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel. Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Familiarity with procurement software or ERP systems is a plus. What we offer: Competitive salary Flexible working Training and development Excellent company standards Cycle-to-work scheme Health care Company bonus scheme Birthday leave Great team spirit Organised social events Professional membership Our Vision: To be the UK’s leading engineering and technology partner for safety-related and mission-critical systems. Our Mission: To enable a safer, more resilient world through the provision of engineering and technological solutions. We take pride in our role as a partner for safety-critical systems, ensuring the protection of people, assets, and missions that matter most. Our Values: Collaboration and teamwork Integrity, trust and accountability Safety and security Client focused Positive social value and impact Continuous improvement Our Purpose: At Delkia we are driven by our purpose to protect lives and critical assets. Equal opportunities : Delkia is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. Please be aware that many roles working for Delkia will be subject to UK national security vetting restrictions. Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK and satisfy requirements for national security vetting clearance as appropriate. All applications will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence. If you require any reasonable adjustments during any part of the application process, please get in touch to discuss. Note to Agencies: Delkia has a commitment to sourcing candidates directly and as such we do not accept speculative CVs from agencies. Please note that any unsolicited CVs submitted will be deemed as gifted to Delkia and any terms & conditions associated with the use of such CVs will be null and void.