Purchasing Administrator

Job summary

• Purchasing Administrator -12 Month and 18 Month Fixed term contract
• Salary: £29,000 plus a location allowance of £1,750 and excellent benefits
• Location : Based in Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes with the flexibility of hybrid working depending on business need
• Free shuttle bus is available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park

At FCDO Services, we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we’re on. In our world, it all matters.

Job description

Behind every modern embassy or overseas project we support, there’s a dedicated Procurement team here in the UK making it all happen. They strive to provide value for money supply chains in a compliant manner to support the organisation, FCDO and our wider market customers, shaping strategies for sustainable and ethical sourcing. And now, you've got the opportunity to join them.

Sourcing for global projects.

Balancing cost with quality.

Having everything you need to grow.

It all matters.

Manage the details that keep purchasing on track

In this role, you’ll be part of a growing centralised buying function at FCDO Services – joining at a point where the team is shaping how purchasing support will work in the future. You’ll process purchasing requests, check requisitions and paperwork, gather the right approvals and help make sure Purchase Orders are raised on time. Taking responsibility for receipting processes, maintaining accurate records across systems and trackers, and ensuring reliable data is available to support the smooth delivery of day-to-day operations.

You’ll act as a key contact for purchasing queries – working with customers, colleagues and central teams to resolve issues and keep things moving. Managing the team mailbox, allocating requests and responding in line with performance targets will be an important part of the role, whilst staying organised and comfortable handling work from different routes. As the function develops, you’ll also have the chance to share ideas, suggest improvements and help shape better ways of working. By bringing a customer-focused approach, you’ll support a close-knit team that is building a more consistent purchasing support across the organisation.

Organise information that helps teams move faster

Organised and comfortable managing a busy workload, with the ability to plan your time, prioritise tasks and meet deadlines. Attention to detail is a must, especially when you’re checking records, updating systems and making sure purchasing information is captured correctly. You’ll also be confident following processes and guidelines, while understanding why they matter in helping the team deliver to the highest standard.

You’ll enjoy working with people and building relationships across different areas of the business, explaining processes clearly and helping colleagues get things right. A customer-focused approach will go a long way, as will being a supportive team player who can also work independently when needed. Experience in administration, purchasing and/or customer services would be useful. And if you’re someone who spots ways to improve how things are done, you’ll have the chance to share those ideas as the new centralised buying function grows.

Discover the support you need to grow your career further

We’re always looking to improve – just like you. That’s why when you join us, expect to receive a competitive salary, good holiday entitlement and a Civil Service Pension. Along with this, you’ll also have access to training and other development opportunities to help grow your career with us. Our offices have an on-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant, and we offer interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes to help you get there. It's a great set of benefits made to support all you do and all you need.

Every single colleague must be security cleared before joining us. If you’re successful in your application, we’ll ask you to undergo our vetting process to achieve Security Check (SC) clearance. You can find out more about vetting on our website: https://www.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/how-to-apply/

• To find out more about our benefits and our organisation, please visit fcdoservicescareers.co.uk
• Closing date: 03/09/2026
• It takes a diverse team to protect a diverse world

The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued. It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And why we’re recognised as a ‘Carer Confident’ workplace. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.

Person specification

• Effective time management skills; able to plan and organise activities effectively and meet deadlines
• High attention to detail and accuracy in record-keeping
• Effective communication skills to be able to build relationships with a range of people at all levels of seniority, explain processes and ensure colleagues adhere to them
• Able to understand and follow processes and guidelines

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Able to understand and follow processes and guidelines
• Effective time management skills; able to plan and organise activities effectively and meet deadlines
• High attention to detail and accuracy in record-keeping
• Effective communication skills to be able to build relationships with a range of people at all levels of seniority, explain processes and ensure colleagues adhere to them Sift

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,015, FCDO Services contributes

£8,695 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension
• A leave allowance of 25 days per annum
• 9 days per annum public and privilege days

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

To apply for this role, you will be asked to provide your CV, a personal statement, and provide answers to some job specific/technical skills.

Your CV and personal statement will not form part of the assessment they will provide an insight into your work history and experience.

Your CV should include:

• no personal identifying details
• career history with key responsibilities
• achievements

qualifications

Your personal statement should outline your interest in the role.

Candidates will only be sifted on answers provided to the technical/ job specific questions which are outlined in the application form.

Those that are successful will be invited to a Face to face interview.

At the interview you will be asked a blend of questions on technical/job specific skills and behaviours.

Candidates who are judged to be close to meeting the criteria may be considered for other positions in FCDO Services which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window) .

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window) .

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window) .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the

Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window)

and the

Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available.

You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk
• Email : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact FCDOServices.Recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk in the first instance.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from FCDO Services, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. For more information, please visit their website.

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