Purchasing & Supply Chain Assistant

The Opportunity Due to continued growth, an established and growing manufacturing business is looking to recruit a motivated and enthusiastic Purchasing & Supply Chain Assistant to join its busy supply chain team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop a career within purchasing and procurement, with the chance to gain hands-on experience across supplier management, stock control and material planning.

Initially, the role will focus on liaising with suppliers, monitoring outstanding orders and ensuring materials are delivered on time to support production requirements. As the successful candidate develops their knowledge and experience, the position will gradually progress to include raising purchase orders, sourcing materials and taking on wider purchasing responsibilities. Full training and ongoing support will be provided.

Key Responsibilities Liaise with suppliers to obtain order confirmations, delivery dates and updates on outstanding orders. Monitor supplier performance and proactively follow up on overdue deliveries to minimise disruption to production. Maintain accurate purchasing records, ensuring delivery dates and order information are kept up to date on internal systems. Work closely with the Purchasing, Stores and Production teams to identify and resolve potential material shortages.

Assist with resolving supplier queries, delivery discrepancies and other purchasing-related issues. Develop an understanding of stock control, material requirements and purchasing procedures. Progress towards raising and managing purchase orders in line with production requirements. Assist with sourcing materials, obtaining quotations and comparing supplier pricing and lead times. Build and maintain positive working relationships with existing and potential suppliers. Support continuous improvement initiatives within the Supply Chain department.

Essential Requirements Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail. Good communication skills, both written and verbal. Confident and professional when communicating with suppliers by telephone and email. Good IT skills, particularly Microsoft Excel, Outlook and other Microsoft Office applications. Ability to prioritise workloads and manage multiple tasks within a busy working environment. A proactive approach to problem-solving and following up on outstanding issues.

Ability to work independently while also contributing positively to a team. Willingness to learn new systems, processes and develop purchasing knowledge. A reliable, enthusiastic and flexible attitude towards work.

Desirable Experience Previous experience in purchasing, procurement, administration, stores or a similar role. Experience working within a manufacturing or engineering environment. Familiarity with MRP or ERP purchasing systems. An understanding of purchase orders, supplier lead times and stock control. Previous experience dealing directly with suppliers.

The Ideal Candidate We're looking for someone who takes ownership of their responsibilities, communicates effectively and understands the importance of ensuring materials are available to keep production running smoothly. The successful candidate will be confident following up with suppliers, enjoy problem-solving and have a genuine ambition to develop their purchasing knowledge and take on greater responsibility as they progress within the business.

Whether you already have some experience in purchasing, administration or manufacturing, or are looking to take the next step in your career, this is an excellent opportunity to develop within a growing business. Benefits:
Competitive salary Full training and ongoing support Opportunities for professional development