Trainee Buyer - Manila
Fleet Management Services Philippines, Inc
Our 30-year journey rides on the passion of over 27,000 seafarers and 1,000 onshore professionals. Today, we are one of the largest independent third-party ship management companies managing over 650+ diverse types of vessels.
Headquartered in Hong Kong SAR, China, we operate on a global scale having 27 offices in 12 countries. Our client base spans over 100 world-class ship owners, including Fortune 500 companies from China, Greece, India, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Turkey and the USA, among others.
In a shore career at FLEET, you will be working with a team of a highly passionate, self-driven and committed group of people. We aim to be a place where you can achieve your full potential, regardless of your background. We are looking for individuals who are ambitious about making a strong contribution to FLEET’s short and long-term sustainable growth – whether you are dealing directly with clients or working in a role supporting the business, such as technology, legal or communications.
Job Position Summary
The Trainee Buyer will be part of the Global Shared Services Procurement team, undergoing structured on-the-job learning to develop the necessary skills and competencies for a Buyer role. During their training tenure, they will support purchasing functions under the guidance of an assigned Lead Buyer and will eventually assume responsibility for procurement activities for a set number of vessels once assessed as proficient and competent.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
• Shadowing & Learning: Work alongside experienced Buyers to understand procurement processes, supplier engagement, and vessel requirements.
• Training Completion: Successfully complete all assigned modules and courses via the company’s e-learning platform.
• Operational Support: Assist the Lead Buyer in managing requisitions, communicating with suppliers, and coordinating with vessels and agents as required.
• System Proficiency: Learn to operate the company’s procurement system and support data entry, PO generation, and documentation under supervision.
• Engagement: Actively participate in group discussions, team meetings, and training sessions to clarify doubts, share insights, and build domain knowledge.
• Compliance: Adhere to departmental SOPs, procurement guidelines, and audit requirements in all assigned activities.
Routine Job Description
• Assist in reviewing and analyzing purchase requisitions for assigned vessels.
• Support in preparing and issuing request-for-quotation (RFQs) to vendors.
• Assist in compiling quote comparisons under buyer supervision.
• Help in generating purchase orders and ensuring accuracy of details (e.g., delivery timelines, port agents, terms).
• Monitor order confirmations and follow up with vendors for missing or pending information.
• Aid in coordinating delivery logistics with suppliers and agents to meet vessel schedules.
• Support invoice tracking and documentation to facilitate timely processing.
Overall Job Profile
• Support and gradually take ownership of procurement workflows for assigned vessels under supervision.
• Maintain clear and prompt communication with internal and external stakeholders to ensure smooth procurement operations.
• Contribute to team goals by learning and adopting best practices in purchasing and vendor management.
• Demonstrate initiative by identifying inefficiencies or issues and raising them constructively with the Lead Buyer.
• Build foundational knowledge in global maritime supply chains and cross-functional collaboration.
Learning Outcomes (Expected learnings at the end of the trainee period.)
• Understand end-to-end procurement flow from requisition to delivery and invoicing.
• Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders (e.g., vessel superintendents, category leads).
• Coordinate externally with suppliers and agents under minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage procurement for up to two assigned vessels independently.
Relationship
INTERNAL: Communicate and collaborate with vessels, superintendents, Pod Supervisors and Category leads for processing of requisitions
EXTERNAL: Vendors/Suppliers
Job Experience, Functional Knowledge and Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in any discipline (preferred: Supply Chain, Maritime, Engineering, or Business).
• Keen interest in maritime procurement or global supply chain.
• Strong command of written and spoken English.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools; experience with procurement systems is a plus.
• Eagerness to learn, adapt, and contribute in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
Fleet Management Limited is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by local laws.