Operations Coordinator, Procurement
Location: Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom
Employment type: Full-time
Seniority level: Entry level
Job function: Management and Manufacturing
Industries: Entertainment Providers
Job Details
* Job Title: Operations Coordinator, Procurement
* Reports To: Director, Procurement
* Working Hours: Hybrid (Office: Monday–Tuesday | Remote: Wednesday–Friday)
* Work Schedule: Monday–Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM (office-based); Wednesday–Friday: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM (remote)
* Place of Work: UK HQ, Mill Court, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK12 5EU
* Other: Full Time
Job Summary
This role will report directly to the Director of Procurement and play a crucial part in streamlining our procurement operations across multiple regions. You’ll gain hands‑on experience in project‑based purchasing, vendor management, process documentation, and procurement operational improvement, all while working closely with stakeholders in the UK, Australia, and the US.
You’ll support project purchasing, vendor coordination, and internal process improvements across multiple international teams. You'll work across exciting procurement categories such as production materials, technical equipment, creative services, and marketing assets.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative, high‑energy environment in the entertainment industry and grow your career in procurement, operations, or supply chain.
Role & Responsibilities
* You must be flexible and committed to working a hybrid schedule, including evening shift hours (2:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Wednesday to Friday) to align with global time zones and project demands.
* Support end‑to‑end purchasing for international productions and events, including vendor selection, quote gathering, and purchase order creation. Coordinate the full purchasing cycle for both routine and project‑based procurement.
* Assist with sourcing suppliers for production items (e.g., staging, lighting, AV gear), office supplies, branded merchandise, digital services, arts and crafts, etc. Research and recommend vendors across a wide range of categories.
* Participate in early‑stage project planning meetings to anticipate sourcing needs and influence specifications. Liaise with multiple stakeholders to collect procurement needs, clarify specifications, and ensure purchasing activities align with production and project deadlines.
* Join key meetings, support supplier onboarding and contract reviews, and contribute ideas to enhance team performance and procurement scalability.
* Maintain up‑to‑date procurement records, contracts, and supplier details across regions. Keep procurement systems and shared files organized and current.
* Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers. Support the implementation and development of the centralized vendor platform.
* Implement standardized procurement processes and documentation across the UK, US, and Australia. Assist in developing and implementing consistent procurement templates, checklists, and workflows.
* Collaborate with finance to ensure accurate cost tracking, invoice matching, and budget reconciliation. Monitor spending against project budgets and help resolve invoice or payment issues with suppliers.
* Participate in project kick‑off meetings, supplier onboarding, contract reviews, and internal stakeholder meetings.
* Continuously identify opportunities to streamline workflows and improve team efficiency. Regularly review internal procurement practices and suggest process improvements or automation opportunities.
* Raise and manage purchase orders accurately and in a timely manner across multiple departments and regions. Track the status of open POs and update records to maintain clear visibility.
Qualifications & Skills
* A recent graduate or early‑career professional with a degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
* Strong attention to detail with excellent organizational and follow‑through skills.
* Interest in global purchasing, vendor management, and process improvement.
* Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines across different time zones.
* Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a hybrid environment.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and ability to learn procurement tools quickly.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills with a professional, proactive approach.
* Exposure to working with cross‑functional teams, ideally in a fast‑paced or project‑driven environment.
* Process‑driven mindset with an interest in operations, continuous improvement, or workflow automation.
* Strong problem‑solving skills with a methodical and organized approach to tasks.
* Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and build strong relationships.
Company Benefits
* Competitive Salary
* Company Pension
* 25 days paid holiday excluding Bank Holidays
* Paid parental leave
* Computer (Mac/Windows)
* Company Phone Allowance
* Flexible working (office/remote)
* Employee Assistance and Wellbeing Programme
* Childcare Support Policy
* Employer Sponsored Vision Programme
Important Note
While this is intended to be an accurate description of the job, it is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions associated with the position, and may require that other or different tasks be performed as necessary and assigned.
Diversity and Inclusion Statement
Way more than a box to check, diversity is core to RWS Global culture. We value it, promote it, protect it and hire it. All differences are welcome here. We know for a fact that each employee’s individual background, life experiences, knowledge, self‑expression, and capabilities are a contribution to our culture, as well as our reputation and achievements. So, bring all of who you are, no questions asked.
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