Placement Year Review at Smith and Bateson Ltd

The Role

Role Description

Working closely within the purchasing department duties included:
Sending out enquiries to suppliers for prices and lead times,
Placing orders
Stock analysis and control
Searching for potential new suppliers in far east
Chasing suppliers for required deliveries
Dealing with queries from suppliers
Ensuring good record of BRC certification and product specification sheets for products and suppliers kept up to date.

Organising the delivery of container load shipments from suppliers in the far east
Confirming shipment dates for products with suppliers and shipping agents

1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

A really enjoyable job, which gave me a wide range of responsibilities, and superb insight into what it is like to work within a purchasing environment.

2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I felt extremely valued as a member of the team, I could tell they enjoyed working with me and gave me clear indications I was an asset to the company.

3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

My personal supervisor worked with me on a daily basis, any questions or problems I had were addressed promptly. Support was always available.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

Very busy, but this is was good for me as I enjoyed the work.

5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

I was given a lot of responsibility after I had settled into the business and learnt how things were done. I had a wide range of tasks that I was trusted to complete on my own.

6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Brilliant experience of working in the purchasing environment, will help me a lot with my final year at uni. I have come out of this placement a more focused and organised individual, the business skills I have learnt will benefit me in the future.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

Focused, time for fun now and again, but people realise they are there to do a job. when the job is getting done well, and there are no issues, having fun is fine.

8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Organised very well, clear role for me to take on, a lot of trust placed upon me completing anything I had to do for uni, help always available.

9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

• Financial Bonus
• Above 25 days holiday

11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I think there is a good chance they will offer me a job upon graduation.

Other Information

12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Nice people to work with

13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10