BMW UK, National Sales Company, Farnborough - Indirect Purchasing - 13 Month Placement (July 2025)

TRUE QUALITY IS THE PRODUCT OF WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT.

SHARE YOUR PASSION.

Product quality always begins at source – with procurement. That’s why it takes people with an uncompromising sense of standards, an exceptional mindset and a real feeling for quality to procure the most suitable materials for each and every part of our vehicles. But the job doesn’t just end there. In their pursuit of uncompromising quality, our teams are tasked with ensuring all the materials they source continue to drive more sustainable and efficient production methods too.

Summit ONE in Farnborough is home to the National Sales Company for the BMW Group in the UK, as well as BMW Group Financial Services which offers retailers, corporate and private customers a range of customised financial services. Alphabet (GB) Ltd. as a leading provider of Business Mobility Services is also located in Farnborough.  

Within our self-contained campus, we offer a modern way of working with an empowering office culture, some aspects of which include:

• Our work persona shift – being yourself is effortless and so increases efficiency.
• Flexible working hours - working flexibly improves mental perspective and increases sustained productivity. This means our leaders maintain balance, not burnout, through focusing on output, not attendance.
• The opportunity to get involved with our continued support to our house charity with a variety of fundraising events throughout the year.
• Throughout our offices there are open creative spaces which hold facilities such as table-tennis tables to encourage innovation and employee engagement.

BMW UK, National Sales Company,  Farnborough - Indirect Purchasing - 13 Month Placement (July 2025)

The Purchasing Team is based at Farnborough and is responsible for all UK Indirect Purchasing from construction through to IT Services, Marketing, Events, Temporary Labour, Logistics and much more. The team work cohesively with other buying departments across Europe to ensure delivery of a robust range of service back to the business. Brands that we support include BMW, MINI, Motorrad, Alphabet, BMW Financial Services and Rolls-Royce across our various UK locations at Farnborough, Oxford, Swindon, Goodwood, Hams-Hall & Thorne.

What awaits you?

In this busy Purchasing department no two days are ever the same. The Indirect Purchasing team is responsible for supporting the business to find the best cost effective solution in the market, which includes activities such as the following:

• Supplier sourcing and competition
• Supporting the business with formulation of detailed specifications
• Supplier due diligence – including compliance checks and Supplier assessments
• Management of the full end-to-end tendering process
• Negotiation of pricing and contract terms & conditions
• Contract Award
• Supplier and contract management

What could a typical day look like?

• Management of small-scale purchasing requests, including commercial negotiations.
• Supporting other purchasers with more significant projects and tender processes.
• Assisting the department with supplier onboarding process.
• Supporting with commodity strategy planning (including data collection and analysis)
• Managing internal business stakeholders, especially regarding Purchasing best practice and processes.
• Leading small projects at a local market level, potentially internationally.
• Helping with the department tasks and administration, e.g. reporting.
• Providing purchasing system training and support.
• Participation in departmental activities such as teambuilding and workshops

What should you take away from the Internship?

• An enhanced workplace skill-set, including but not limited to:
  • Communication skills.
  • Teamwork and collaboration skills.
  • Prioritisation, organisation, and time management skills.
  • Negotiation and influencing skills.
• Development of a wide network within the BMW Group and also the supplier network.
• Development of core workplace skills including preparation of presentations and organisation of events/meetings
• Concrete experience of indirect purchasing environment such as: systems, processes, basic commercial contract laws.
• The ability to articulate the role that Purchasing plays in the wider business objectives of an organisation and how it contributes to its overall success.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Studying towards a Bachelor's degree in any discipline, but ideally with a business focus and on course to achieve (2:2 or above).
• Experience of MS Suite, in particular Excel, Word and Powerpoint
• Self-motivated and able to take responsibility for tasks and projects
• Willingness to work flexibly
• Good communication and teamworking skills
• A European language to A level is an advantage, although not essential

 Why choose us?

• Great Pay – A competitive annual salary of £23,700, 27 days holiday per annum (pro rata to your contract) and an attractive pension scheme.
• Rewarding Work-Life Balance – Contracted working hours are 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday, helping you develop a fulfilling work-life balance.
• Exciting Additional Benefits – You will have the opportunity to enjoy other employee benefits, including a subsidised on-site restaurant and access to our Advantages scheme which gives you a range of offers and discounts.

What do you need to do now?

If you apply, the next stages of the recruiting process could include: online testing, video interview and then a face to face, telephone or virtual interview with the hiring manager. This may be in the form of an assessment centre.

Please note:

We operate rolling recruitment, this means we may close the application window earlier than identified, if sufficient applications are received, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.

Once you make your application you will be automatically sent cognitive tests (via Eligo) for completion before we have had the opportunity to determine your eligibility for the role. Please be aware that if you complete the tests and you are not eligible your application will not be processed any further. If you need support in undertaking the tests please email us at FutureTalentRecruitment@bmwgroup.com.

To be eligible for this position, you must be returning to your studies, for a minimum of 6 months, after completion of this placement. You must be able to provide proof of your legal right to work in the UK.  

We are committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and job applicants will receive equal treatment regardless of disability, age, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sex or sexual orientation.

Closing date for applications:   Saturday 30th November 2024

Any further questions? Email us on FutureTalentRecruitment@bmwgroup.com