Purchasing Placement Student

My day can include: - following the tender process with several different services - running spend reports and crunching those numbers to understand spend, to look for opportunities to save money - assisting business users with procurement- related problems - looking for, interacting with and onboarding new suppliers or bidders for our tenders - playing a key role in the NDA creation process for new suppliers

Yes-many new skills! I was introduced to SAP and SRM, and can now help others navigate it too. My Microsoft excel skills have improved, along with general Microsoft Outlook and Teams knowledge. I've learnt how to break down large chunks of data for analysis. From a procurement POV- I've learnt how to run a full tender and how to manage many different suppliers, as well as understanding different documents like invitations to tender.

Yes- I play a key role in the creation of NDAs. I source new suppliers for business users. I am currently writing the specification to create a software to track some procurement projects. When I get assigned tasks, I am left to get on with them, but can always speak to my manager for guidance if needed. I am exposed to many different meaningful projects.

The support is fantastic. My line manager and the wider team support me with my daily tasks should I need it- I never feel unsupported. Everyone else in the business is happy to support me too, I just need to email/call/ visit their desk. My line manager had been a huge support to me not only with work topics, but with my professional and university studies.

A very supportive culture- great for placement students! Due to covid restrictions (especially in the first half of my placement with lockdowns), company events were kept to a minimum- there would have been a Christmas party and a department evening but had to be cancelled (covid). Our business is supportive of charities and causes eg Melksham town football club and organizing donations for Ukrainian Refugees.

I have really enjoyed my placement. Not only have I now got a fantastic experience for my CV, but I've chosen procurement/purchasing as a career path- before I had my placement I had no clue as to what I'd do. My placement gave me the knowledge and confidence to take and pass CIPS (Charted Institute of Procurement and Supply) professional exams. I really enjoy working with my manager and the team.

Yes

Do it! You are (at least in my case) interviewed by a student and a full time staff member. Read the job description before submitting your CV and cover letter to be sure they are relevant to what you're apply for, and don't be afraid to ask questions. A great example question could be taking an event from the news, and seeing if and how it's impacted procurement here at KB.