Purchasing Trainee - Apprenticeship (Alternance)

We are looking for a Purchasing Trainee to join our Catering Systems Division in the French office.

This is a great opportunity if you’re just starting your career and want to gain hands-on experience in international procurement within a technical, project-driven environment. You’ll work closely with an experienced Buyer and support the day-to-day management of suppliers and project-related purchasing activities.

In this role, you’ll get visibility into how large-scale projects are sourced, negotiated, and managed - from early project phases through to delivery.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll support purchasing activities across different product categories and projects. Your work will include:

• Working closely with engineering teams and contributing to continuous product improvement by exploring alternative solutions during estimation and project phases

• Supporting supplier sourcing, evaluation and mapping in line with internal standards and processes

• Assisting with negotiations for smaller project-related purchases

• Coordinating and following up on procurement activities across ongoing projects

• Preparing and maintaining supplier and pricing databases

• Supporting tendering processes, including cost estimation and supplier qualification phases

• Participating in the full purchasing process from initial request to supplier selection and contracting

• Creating and managing purchase orders in ERP systems and following up on deliveries through to project completion

• Supporting cost tracking, invoice verification and budget follow-up

• Assisting with supplier claims handling and contributing to supplier performance evaluation

• Ensuring relevant contractual information is correctly shared with logistics and other teams

You’ll work closely with colleagues across engineering, logistics, and project teams - so collaboration and communication are a key part of the role.

What you’ll learn

This role is designed to give you a strong foundation in purchasing within a real project environment.

You’ll gain experience in:

• Supplier management and sourcing

• Project-based procurement processes

• Cost control and commercial thinking

• Cross-functional collaboration in an international organisation

You’ll be supported throughout your learning - you don’t need to know everything from day one.

What we’re looking for

We’re open to different backgrounds and early career paths. You might be studying or recently graduated in business, logistics, engineering or a related field. What matters most is your mindset and willingness to learn.

We’re especially looking for someone who:

• Is organised and able to manage multiple tasks

• Communicates clearly and is comfortable asking questions

• Takes initiative and follows things through

• Pays attention to detail

• Enjoys working with others and contributing to shared goals

• Is curious and motivated to develop in procurement and commercial work

This role suits someone who enjoys structured, coordination-focused work and wants to build practical experience - rather than a purely routine or fully independent role.

Basics you’ll need

• Fluent written and spoken English

• Good Excel skills

• A relevant educational background or ongoing studies (business, logistics, engineering or similar)