Group Sourcing & Vendor Management
Due to an overwhelming number of applications our RBS Group Sourcing & Vendor Management programme is now closed. If you would like to be considered should any places become available at a later date, please complete our expression of interest form.
At a glance
- Entry criteria – 2:1 degree in any discipline plus a minimum of 280 UCAS points excluding General Studies international equivalent
- Previous work experience – ideally related to purchasing, supply chain or a specific category such as marketing, property or technology
- Closing date for applications – 31st March, 2010
- Location – Edinburgh and London
- Term – 18 months
Group Sourcing & Vendor Management is a critical area of our business that directly influences over 80% of the Group’s £10.4 billion annual spend, working with all RBS divisions globally. Group Sourcing & Vendor Management is recognised as a global leader in procurement excellence by consultancy A.T. Kearney and has sustained this position since 2005. If you’re looking for a truly wide-ranging purchasing environment that will offer you the chance to achieve at the very highest levels, Group Sourcing & Vendor Management can offer it to you.
A great introduction to the business
Our Group Sourcing & Vendor Management Graduate programme is currently UK-based, with global exposure. During your first six months, you’ll get an orientation to the Group and the RBS way of working, as well as a comprehensive introduction to the tools and techniques of procurement, such as the Strategic Sourcing Approach. You will be aligned to one of our Sourcing, Vendor Management or core support teams for the duration of your programme, to ensure you get the opportunity to develop all the skills and experience you need to succeed as a graduate in Group Sourcing and Vendor Management.
Taking on more responsibility - from eSourcing to negotiating
As you develop, you’ll become more involved in the activity of the sourcing team in which you are placed, such as Marketing & Benefits Sourcing or Technology Sourcing. This will enable you to work with our cross-departmental teams, and you can expect to get involved in all sorts of interesting projects. It could be that you work with our award-winning eSourcing team to select suppliers through eAuctions, that you handle contract negotiations, or that you drive efficiency across the RBS Group Supply Chain through Work-Out and Lean.
Continuing to grow and deliver
You’ll tackle more of these types of projects, each time taking on more and more responsibility. You’ll have the chance to run sourcing projects independently, with all the support you need to make the right decisions at critical points. Whatever you do, it’ll be geared towards giving you maximum exposure to multiple stakeholders across the Group, each with different business requirements. It means you’ll need to have the confidence to influence people at all levels, the ability to challenge the norm and the commitment to keep improving the customer experience.
Extracurricular activities
After you’ve had the chance to settle into your role, you’ll be encouraged to study towards a professional qualification. And don’t be surprised if, at some time during the programme, we ask you to get involved in one of our business improvement initiatives, in our Community Investment activities or in a special project from the Director’s Office.
What are we looking for?
Aside from a strong academic record, what counts most in Group Sourcing & Vendor Management is commercial awareness and exceptional communication skills. That’s why we’re particularly interested to hear from graduates with work experience – ideally related to purchasing, supply chain or a related category – that shows your ability to manage and influence others. As a lean, ambitious and innovative team, we need people who are flexible to change, passionate and driven to succeed.
