Assistant Buyer X82- Direct Materials Review

I thoroughly enjoyed the placement throughout the year. Getting the chance to gain new skills and knowledge that will help me through the rest of my academic studies and once I graduate. The placement gave me the opportunity to be able to gain an insight into the purchasing department and the automotive industry. Especially working at te start of production has expossed me to a number of issues that were challenging but rewarding at the same time.

I felt the work that I carried out valued by all of my team members. I was often consulted and asked for my thoughts on certain topcis and was given the chnace to lead various things throughout the year.

I had a really good working relationship with my manager and me got on well throughout the year. Due to it being the start of production of the X82 model my manager did often not have time to carry out a formal feedback on my progress throughout the year. However we would often have informal conversations about what I was doing and the level of workload I had. My manager was also very suportive of me and was always looking for opportunities to get me involved in various things throughout the year. They were also very approachable and I did feel if I was encountering any issues they would provide the neccessary support. Vauxhall also put a mentor scheme in place giving you further support should it be required, it was nice to know that such support and advice was vailable shoudl it be required.

I was often busy throughout the year, I had various weekly/monthly and quarterley tasks to complete. Again with it being the start of production of the X82 model alot of my work could be quite reactive- responding to supplier complaints and engineering queries. Being recognised as the buyer for the X82 model also resulted in me having many internal queries to answer to and allowed me the opportunity to be able to work with a number of different areas within purchasing. This ensured that I further develop skills such as time management and prioritisation over the course of the year which will prove invaluable in my final year at University and throughout the rest of my working life.

I was given alot of repsonsibility throughout the year. Being the buyer for X82 parts means you have alot of internal queries to reoslve, you were also recognised as the first point of call for suppliers. Therefore my communciation skills eveoolved maasively over the course of the year. I was also often given the opportunity to analyse key information in detail, I would then be trusted to present this information back to various stakeholders, answering questions and provide an outlook on when things would be resolved by. Further to my purchasing role I was also involved in the Logistics side of the business. This again gave me the opportunity to be able to use my analytical and budgetting skills which would then be reported out to the UK plants. I was again here given the opportunity to present my findings to a multitude of departments. I also volunteered to be a leader of the Undergraduate Community Project that involved leading a team of 80 undergraduates into schools in the community to inform others of the opportunities and work that is done at Vauxhall. this again presented the chance to develop leadership, project management, time mangement and communciation with a wide varieyt of stakeholders.

I felt throughtout the year that my skills were being developed, in particular my time management, analysing, proritisation and communciation skills. At the start of the placement there were various training opportunities including Excel and Presentations. These skills were then often used throughout the year which gave me the chance to develop and learn further. I also had a 2 week handover period with my previous undergraduate, this gave me the chance to ask questions and clarify certain things. A handover booklet was also left to help me if I experienced problems throughout the year.

The atmosphere in t he office was very friendly and I was made to feel very welcome throughout the year. I was made to feel a member of the team from day one. All other employees were also happy to help and pass on their advice should I get stuck with anything!

The placement was very well organised throughout. We had a 2 day open day before we started which gave the opportunity to meet other undergraduates, the company also supported you with housing which was very helpful!The 2 week handover was very well structured, with director presentations from all departments which gave you a valuable insight into the different departments and the direction the company was heading. There was also regular training and social events which helped you to settle into your role.

I felt the company invested a lot in terms of training with particular emphasis on excel and presentations. This proved very valuable as I would often use these programmes alot throughout the year. In the purchasing department there are alot of tricky systems to get used to in particualr GPS, SAP etc and there were regular training sessions run throughout the year. Colleagues in the office were also free to offer their support if I got stuck whcih was reassuring.

Unfortunately Vauxhall has no graduate scheme, however if you impressed throughout the year you may be invited back for an interview, although it seems within my department that alot of the jobs are found within other European locations.

There are around 80 placement students so there was always some social events taking place. The 2 week handover period was apcked with social events which gave the chance to socialise and get to know other undergraduates. You are also placed within University halls for 2 weeks aain giving you the opportunity to settle in and get to know other undergraduates.

The housing was cheap- around £350 ppm including bills and I got on well with all my hosuemates. The cost of socialising in Luton was also relatively cheap however if you ventured out further such as to London, Watford, Harpenden or Saint Albans things can become a little more expenssive!

The nightlife in Luton is not great, hwoever if there is a large group it can be enjoyable. Places such as Harpenden, Saint Albans and Watford offered a better nightlife than Luton itself,

The company regularly put on events such as a ride and drive on new models, free England football tickets, sporting competitions, as well as numerous competions to win a variety of football orientated prizes!