Job Title: Purchasing Assistant
Type: Permanent
Salary: Up to £30,000
Location: South Derbyshire

The Role

As part of the Purchasing Department, you will play a vital role in supporting the company’s procurement activities. Your main focus will be to maintain optimal stock levels and manage relationships with both UK and international suppliers to ensure a smooth and cost-effective supply chain.
The role involves sourcing all external purchases at the best possible cost and lead times, while monitoring and adjusting forecasts to meet customer demand efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the ordering and delivery process for all externally manufactured goods.
• Review and update product forecasts to maintain ideal inventory levels.
• Act as the main point of contact for external suppliers during internal meetings.
• Oversee and maintain purchase order placements in line with projected requirements.
• Manage drop ship suppliers to ensure lead times are achieved and customer deliveries are completed on schedule.
• Develop supply plans with key suppliers to align product deliveries with stock projection plans.
• Utilize Netstock reports to review and manage product demand effectively.
• Maintain and strengthen operational relationships with key suppliers, ensuring timely issue resolution across the supply chain.
• Address and minimize the impact of shortages or stockouts by collaborating with Buyers to source alternatives or replacements.
• Work closely with the Quality team to manage defective products, ensuring replacements are received promptly and root causes are investigated to prevent recurrence.
• Resolve supplier quality issues through negotiation of credits or replacements and implement corrective actions for future orders.
• Optimize purchasing efficiency by managing factors such as MOQ, MOV, EOQ, lead times, and forecasts.
• Identify and source alternative suppliers for non-specialized products when discontinuations or cost increases occur, minimizing disruption to availability.
• Monitor and manage key performance indicators, including order placement accuracy, order fulfillment, invoice resolution, fill rate, and stock availability.

About the candidate

• Previous Purchasing experience
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, with the ability to work closely with and influence others (Product Managers, Suppliers as well as line managers and peers)
• Raising POs in a structured manner and seeing orders through to fulfilment
• Ordering by exception and purchase order purchasing procedures
• Reviewing and amending forecasts
• Expediting from suppliers globally
• Good administrative experience
• Managing conflicting priorities