Junior Purchasing Officer

Role overview

This position sits within Cubic Integrated Supply Chain and reports to the APAC Team Leader based in Queensland. The main focus of the role is turning purchase requisitions into purchase orders for CTS APAC, while operating with limited supervision.

Cubic develops technology solutions for transportation that simplify travel, and defense capabilities that support mission success and the safety of those who serve. The company operates through global teams and is focused on solving worldwide challenges through innovation and customer service.

This opportunity is for an employee role in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Key responsibilities

• Convert purchase requisitions into purchase orders from the SAP buyer queue in accordance with agreed service levels.
• Make sure purchasing activity delivers value for money, aligns with company policy, and avoids unfair business practices.
• Research, negotiate, renew, cancel, or launch competitive bids for materials, parts, equipment, and services used by Cubic.
• Assess product quality, similarity between comparable products, price factors, warranty differences, and other requirements when sourcing.
• Identify new or improved materials, tools, parts, and services, and speak with supplier representatives to assess reliability and delivery capability.
• Look for alternative suppliers and use high-volume buying opportunities where possible to lower costs.
• Prepare the weekly overdue purchase order report, follow up on status, update due dates, and add notes or attachments as required.
• Work with internal teams on changing product and service needs and respond promptly to employee questions.
• Coordinate closely with the APAC procurement team to maintain role coverage.
• Handle all blocked invoices from Accounts so vendor payments can be processed on time.
• Submit a weekly update to the Procurement Manager covering achievements, issues, and related details.
• Support the closure of Corrective Action Requests.
• Where needed, manage goods receipts for incoming deliveries, including those to offsite facilities, and resolve discrepancies quickly.
• If required, support shipping and export compliance, including freight quotations, booking, pickup or drop-off coordination, and tracking.

General duties

• Follow Cubic’s Quality Management System.
• Comply with occupational health, safety, and environmental procedures and policies.
• Adhere to security requirements in line with organisational policies and procedures.
• Follow Cubic’s Human Resources procedures.
• Carry out other tasks as assigned.

Skills and experience

Essential:

• Solid understanding of the purchasing cycle, including requests for quotation.
• Hands-on experience using SAP ERP.
• Experience working with Microsoft-based systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent customer service ability.

Desirable:

• Background in a technology-focused company, including warehousing.
• Procurement experience.
• Ability to interpret specifications, drawings, and bills of materials.
• Confidence negotiating with vendors and assessing quotations against specifications.
• Awareness of market trends and changing conditions.
• Experience across a variety of buying activities.

Personal qualities

• Flexible in approach to work.
• Comfortable adapting to change.
• Organised, methodical, and strong in time management.
• Able to communicate effectively at all levels, both verbally and in writing.

Employment conditions

• A successful National Police Check is required.
• The role may occasionally require availability outside normal working hours to address urgent issues or business needs across multiple time zones.
• You may need to monitor or respond to calls, emails, and other communications from Cubic, customers, or suppliers outside standard working hours from time to time.
• The job description is not exhaustive, and duties or requirements may change based on business needs.

Equal opportunity

Cubic welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic under applicable law.