Corporate Indirect Purchasing Sourcing Analyst Placement Review

I have really enjoyed my placement here at Cummins. I have even had the opportunity to go abroad with the Indirect Purchasing team for work. I have worked on some exciting projects with the team and I feel like this has helped my grow with confidence in talking to suppliers etc. The work is very exciting and some one the projects are amazing and I feel privileged to have been a part of them.

The Corporate Indirect Purchasing team welcomed me with open arms. They are such a supportive group of people. They have not only helped me with the struggles at work but they have helped me through struggles in my personal life too. I feel like I have made friends with the people I work with as they are so supportive. People outside the team are also so supportive and always have time for you if you need help with work.

In the first few months of my placement, my manager was offering me a lot of guidance and support by showing me all the ropes. After that it was not as much which I liked as it made me feel like my manager knew I could perform in my job. I have also had support with different people in the team as I worked on different projects with different people.

This varies- some days I am busy then some days ae a bit slow. I think this is a great balance though because I can have time to reflect on the busy days and catch up on any work that I had missed. Having meetings booked in for time to catch up on work is the best thing I did. This meant I couldn't forget anything- Note: get a planner they help so much

Depending on what the task was depended on how much responsibility I had. One of my colleagues was away and we were working on a project together with other people from the company. I had the Indirect Purchasing responsibility for this time. I have also been a lead in an global project. Getting ATF PRs down to below global target and I have managed to do this. I have had the responsibility from this. This also helped me

I have improved my interpersonal skills like building my confidence. Also I have learnt a lot about the Procurement team. Cummins have a thing called Supply Chain Academy. I have found this extremely beneficial as this has helped me grow my knowledge in this. I have also done Safe Leader Training which I have found beneficial in the work I do day to day.

The general feel in the office has always been upbeat and if anyone was feeling down the team would definitely make you feel better. Sometimes it is very quiet but this helps the whole team take time to focus solely on the work. People are always so friendly and smiling. I never realized how much a smile can help the atmosphere in the office.

The only issued we had was the accesses to the systems when I first started. This stalled what I could do at the beginning. However this was sorted as quickly as it could be and everything worked seamlessly one I gained the access that I needed. I had projects lined up so I wasn't sat waiting for things to crop up.

I have been a part of the Health and Safety Committee and this has helped me gain more knowledge on this. I have also been put on Safe Leader training, Project Management, Negotiation Excellence Workshop and Contract Law. Cummins didn't need to put me on these course but they did and this has helped me grow professionally.

There is potential employment within the company and the Indirect Purchasing team. They have also given me key skills for different careers. Cummins have been so helpful in getting me the skills and opportunities for different job roles. I feel like I am very valued within the team and that they do listen to my decisions.

So I am unable to comment on this because I am the only placement student on site at Stockton. However there has been a big social scene with colleagues in the office like team meals. Cummins promotes being social within the team as it creates a better atmosphere in the office.

I am from the area so cost of living is good. Socialising in the area is not on the cheap side but it is not expensive. Due to me not being close to all the other placement students I haven't socialised with them but i socialise with my friends outside of work.

Again I do not go out with the other placement students but the nightlife is good on a weekend in the area. It is a bit run down but the atmosphere is good in the town. Everyone is friendly and helps you if you get lost. I have found this a good town to go out in.

There was a few activities that there was to get involved in with the Cummins Sports and Social Club. There has been loads of things like going to Alton Towers and to see Jess Glyn and things like Beamish Christmas and Halloween. These were available to everyone on site and it seemed popular.