The University of Southampton’s mission is to change the world for the better. As a world-leading, research-intensive university, with a strong and high-quality educational offering, it is renowned for its innovation and enterprise and sits within the top 1% of universities worldwide.

The role

Following the promotion of the current post holder we have an opportunity to join the Finance department as a Buying and Administrative Assistant in the Purchasing Team, you will:

• Provide straight forward advice and support to University staff, students and suppliers, for sourcing purchases and buying administration. Providing a professional and courteous service to staff, students and suppliers via email, telephone and face-to-face enquiries, to ensure efficient and effective purchasing.
• Work within specific categories or areas, responsible for:
  1. Ordering and Processing – responsible for the end-to-end process including ordering, goods receipting and management of the order
  2. To provide advice and support to University staff, students and suppliers by being the first point of contact for buying administration.
• Flexibly support Buying and Buying Administrative activities as required.
• Act as a contract champion to support efficient and effective purchasing across categories.

About you

As a Buying and Administrative Assistant you will have excellent organisation, communication and customer service skills, be able to work well as part of a busy team, and be confident posing questions to staff at all levels in a professional manner. The University is a diverse organisation and our purchasing reflects this; common sense and a sense of humour are essential.

Previous experience of working in a large organisation and with financial systems would be useful, but not essential as training will be given.

Working here

As a university we aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive and are pro-active in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society, so we are passionate about creating a working environment in which you are free to bring your whole self to work.

We welcome applications from candidates who are committed to helping us create an inclusive work environment. Committed to supporting our staff and students, we are open to a flexible working approach. We give full consideration to applicants that wish to work flexibly and those who have taken a career break. We have adopted a hybrid working model across the university combining working from home with regular time on campus.

As well as additional benefits, such as a 36 hour working week, a generous holiday allowance starting at 20 days annual leave (increasing to 24 days after 4 years of service), plus a further 6 university closure days and 8 UK bank holidays. We’ll support your long-term future with access to a pension scheme, subsidised health and fitness facilities and a range of discounts. We are committed to supporting our staff and students, and are open to flexible working approaches; giving consideration to part time applications.