Apprentice Buyer

IS-RAYFAST LIMITED

Swindon (SN5 8UB)

Closes in 13 days (Friday 15 August 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 1 August 2025

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Summary

To manage all aspects of the purchase of materials within the Purchasing team. This role is at the core of our drive to deliver best in class customer service and cost savings through smart inventory management and strategic purchasing decisions.

Wage

£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Bonus will be paid annually

Training course
Procurement and supply assistant (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday 8.30am- 5.00pm

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

1 year 7 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

  • Placing purchase orders and works orders to ensure the inventory is kept at optimum levels
  • Ensure ERP data is kept updated and maintained to the highest standard
  • Responsible for analysing & processing quotations from different suppliers
  • Ensure purchase orders are delivered on time in full
  • Working closely with Sales to establish firm and forecast requirements for the commodities to purchase
  • Best in class responsiveness to our customers and cost savings
  • Analysis of data to ensure efficient stocking policies are maintained to deliver commercial benefits and customer service
  • Analysis & compilation of reporting metrics for the Purchasing team to manage the external supply base
  • Point of contact on behalf of the purchase team for certain commodities
  • Support the introduction of new products from existing and new suppliers
  • To perform other reasonable duties on an Ad-hoc basis that may be required by the Company

Where you'll work

2 Lydiard Fields
Great Western Way
Swindon
SN5 8UB

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

CIPS CORPORATE SERVICES LIMITED

Training course

Procurement and supply assistant (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Monitor and order products, stock, equipment and services at appropriate times using the appropriate procurement method.
  • Communicate to procurement's internal stakeholders, suppliers and other stakeholders in order to develop effective relationships and networks
  • Create, maintain and amend purchase order and contract records.
  • Interpret, evaluate and compare procurement information such as historical spend and usage using databases and spreadsheets.
  • Present findings and data in all formats e.g. mathematically, written and oral.
  • Determine value for money (VFM) and added value through the use of Total Cost of Ownership during the evaluation process, and apply the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT) criteria to the evaluation of quotes and tenders to support the recommendation at award. This may include the inclusion of green, low carbon, sustainability, and ethical criteria.
  • Utilise relevant Procurement computer systems or internal databases.
  • Select the supplier of the most appropriate products and services for purchases within their remit and place purchase order.
  • Undertake appraisal of adhoc and low spend suppliers including setting them up on the purchasing system.
  • Effectively research and analyse demand, spend, trends, potential suppliers and industries utilising qualitative and quantitative methods.
  • Develop specifications of requirements and requests for quotes/tenders in line with organisational requirements.
  • Apply considerations of responsible procurement in evaluating potential suppliers, quotes and tenders.
  • Investigate and resolve purchase order, delivery and invoice queries.
  • Own low risk value projects such as supply contracts for stationery, personal protective equipment (PPE) or other consumables, and contribute to higher risk activities such as contracts for building services or machinery, and track, log, expedite and review outstanding orders and stock availability where applicable.
  • Maintain knowledge on all open orders and their status' and provide assistance to all purchasing staff e.g. expediting and feeding information back to the relevant stakeholders.
  • Able to consider the impact of the decision making process when interacting with the supply chain.
  • Able to support the contract negotiations and mini competitions with suppliers.
  • Monitor and order products, stock, equipment and services at appropriate times using the appropriate procurement method.
  • Communicate to procurement's internal stakeholders, suppliers and other stakeholders in order to develop effective relationships and networks
  • Create, maintain and amend purchase order and contract records.
  • Interpret, evaluate and compare procurement information such as historical spend and usage using databases and spreadsheets.
  • Present findings and data in all formats e.g. mathematically, written and oral.
  • Determine value for money (VFM) and added value through the use of Total Cost of Ownership during the evaluation process, and apply the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT) criteria to the evaluation of quotes and tenders to support the recommendation at award. This may include the inclusion of green, low carbon, sustainability, and ethical criteria.
  • Utilise relevant Procurement computer systems or internal databases.
  • Select the supplier of the most appropriate products and services for purchases within their remit and place purchase order.
  • Undertake appraisal of adhoc and low spend suppliers including setting them up on the purchasing system.
  • Effectively research and analyse demand, spend, trends, potential suppliers and industries utilising qualitative and quantitative methods.
  • Develop specifications of requirements and requests for quotes/tenders in line with organisational requirements.
  • Apply considerations of responsible procurement in evaluating potential suppliers, quotes and tenders.
  • Investigate and resolve purchase order, delivery and invoice queries.
  • Own low risk value projects such as supply contracts for stationery, personal protective equipment (PPE) or other consumables, and contribute to higher risk activities such as contracts for building services or machinery, and track, log, expedite and review outstanding orders and stock availability where applicable.
  • Maintain knowledge on all open orders and their status' and provide assistance to all purchasing staff e.g. expediting and feeding information back to the relevant stakeholders.
  • Able to consider the impact of the decision making process when interacting with the supply chain.
  • Able to support the contract negotiations and mini competitions with suppliers.

Training schedule

  • Training will be a combination of on the job and off the job
  • The off the job element will include classroom style learning and revision days as well as one to one tutor sessions
  • Support, study guides, eBooks, eLearning and all resources will be provided to ensure you are successful
  • On successful completion of the apprenticeship, individuals will have achieved the CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement & Supply, a globally recognised qualification

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade Grade/Level 5 or above)
  • Maths (grade Grade/Level 5 or above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative

About this employer

Rayfast is part of the Interconnect Solutions Group, the global supplier of specialised solutions with the personal touch, which also incorporates Cabletec, Filcon, LJR Electronics, Rayfast USA and Sommer, with sites across Europe and USA. All of which, are dedicated to sales, distribution, technical support and customer service for their extensive and varied customer base across the world.

https://www.is-rayfast.com/ (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

As an Apprentice Buyer, your career progression will typically follow the following path:

  • Junior/Assistant Buyer (Post-Apprenticeship)
  • Buyer (2-5 years experience)
  • Senior Buyer (5+ years experience)

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CIPS CORPORATE SERVICES LIMITED

Rehana Jain

rehana.jain@isgroup-internatioal.com

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000335002.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Friday 15 August 2025 at 11:59pm)

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