Volvo Group Graduate Program 2027 - Associate Buyer
Volvo Business Services Aktiebolag · Göteborg · Tills vidare · Deadline 2026-11-22
Volvo Business Services Aktiebolag is hiring an **Associate Buyer** based in Gothenburg, Sweden, starting in August 2027 within Service Operations & Technology. The role offers a **permanent position from day one** through the 15-month Volvo Group Graduate Program, which features an exact **50/50 work split** between departmental tasks and dedicated program activities. Primary duties involve managing sourcing and supplier relationships for aftermarket vehicle, powertrain, and specialized components. The work focuses on ensuring parts availability, leading commercial negotiations, balancing cost and delivery performance, mitigating supply chain risks, and supporting supplier development and sustainability. The program also involves targeted training, local and international rotations, and short-term assignments abroad. Applicants must hold a **bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, business administration, supply chain management, or similar**, completed before the program start date and no more than three years prior. Eligibility requires having no more than three years of full-time relevant professional work experience (excluding part-time work during studies), fluency in both written and verbal English, and willingness to travel internationally. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, as well as the ability to learn ERP systems and data analysis tools. A background check and drug and alcohol testing may be conducted during recruitment.
Company description:This is the Volvo Group Graduate Program
The 15-month Graduate Program combines 50% time in your home department with 50% dedicated program activities, giving you broad exposure across Volvo Group. Through local and international rotations, short-term assignments, and targeted training in areas such as operations, engineering, and purchasing, you will build a strong understanding of our business, brands and strategy. The program also includes direct customer exposure and encourages collaboration, knowledge-sharing and an end-to-end mindset, enabling you to contribute to transformation across the organization from day one.
Job description:Your future team
We are the service engine in the Volvo Group!
Service Operations & Technology is the Volvo Group’s engine for customer uptime and profitable service growth, combining engineering, purchasing, logistics, and remanufacturing into one global end-to-end value flow organization.With operations across sites worldwide, ~5000 employees, we act close to our customers and markets, delivering resilient, customer-centric service solutions that keep vehicles and machines running, build trust, and unlock the full potential of the Volvo Group service business. By working as one team, with a strong performance culture and an outside-in mindset, we drive speed, enable strong collaboration across brands and functions, and continuously improve Volvo’s service offerings.
How you’ll contribute
The role focuses on securing supplier performance in terms of quality, delivery, cost, and sustainability, while ensuring parts availability to support aftermarket operations and customer uptime. Working closely with suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders (Brands, CDC, dealers & value stream functions) the Associate Buyer drives commercial negotiations, supplier development, risk management, and continuous improvement initiatives to meet business and customer requirements.
Key responsibilities
- Manage sourcing and supplier relationships for Service Market Vehicle, Powertrain & FSDV components.
- Ensure parts availability to support customer uptime and service market requirements.
- Balance customer service needs with commercial objectives, including cost, quality, and delivery performance.
- Lead supplier negotiations and drive cost optimization initiatives.
- Monitor supplier performance and implement improvement actions where needed.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders across Purchasing, Supply Chain, Logistics, Quality, and Service Market organizations.
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks to ensure business continuity.
- Support strategic sourcing, supplier development, and sustainability initiatives.
- Drive continuous improvement to enhance efficiency, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
- Contribute to achieving service market targets while maintaining strong supplier partnerships
- Understand and follow global purchasing processes, governance, business ethics and compliance requirements while contributing ideas for simplification and continuous improvement.
Who are you?
You meet the following requirements:
- You have a bachelor's or master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or similar, completed before the program starts
- Analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and support decision-making.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to managing risks and opportunities.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to priorities tasks, manage multiple activities, and deliver results in a dynamic environment.
- Ability to learn new tools & systems - ERP systems, Microsoft Office, and data analysis tools.
To qualify for the Graduate program, you:
- Have completed a bachelors or master’s degree prior to the start of the program but not more than 3 years ago.
- Should not have more than three years' full-time relevant working experience in the field prior to starting the program, excluding part-time work during studies.
- Are fluent in English, both written and verbal.
- Are willing to travel and participate in international short-term assignments
What’s in it for you?
Our Volvo Group Graduate Program starts in August 2027, and you will be offered a permanent position at Service Operations & Technology with placement in Sweden, Gothenburg. These are some of the benefits of joining our program:
- An opportunity to work with the latest technology.
- An exciting and global working environment with experienced colleagues.
- Possibility to gain international experience through a short-term assignment abroad.
- A competitive salary and permanent position from day one.
- Various workshops and seminars designed to help you grow into your future career at Volvo Group.
- The possibility to shape your own career with endless career opportunities.
Read more about the Graduate program here
The application processThe journey begins! An email confirmation will be sent when you submit your application. After this, it is still possible to update your personal profile by logging into your account. The hiring team will review your application together with the hiring manager. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted with information about the following steps.
Last day to apply: 22nd of November 2026
As part of the recruitment process, a background check as well as alcohol and drug testing may be conducted. You will be informed if applicable.
We value your data privacy and therefore do not accept applications via mail.