Purchasing Assistant

P+S Personnel are pleased to be working on behalf of our clients, who are currently seeking a Purchasing Assistant to join their team based in Lowestoft on a full-time, permanent basis.

Main Responsibilities:

• Assist the Purchasing Manager in the day-to-day running of the group purchasing function.
• Create and review purchase requests for material(s) via extracted data from the companies MRP system or manual purchase requests.
• Liaise and place purchase orders with approved suppliers via MRP system.
• Assist the Mail Order Purchasing Team in all purchasing related activities during peak and other required times such as holiday cover.
• Progress outstanding purchase orders with suppliers - Updating MRP system.
• Coordinate and liaise purchasing related topics with the Manufacturing / Production team members on a daily basis.
• To be commercially aware and able to communicate to all staff as required to match business objectives.
• Support and promote strong supplier relationships.
• Develop, understand and monitor supplier performance using KPI’s to make strategic supplier decisions.
• Able to understand and identify the importance of dual source to protect the requirements of the business needs.
• Assist in the collation and placement of import orders outside of the EU - India & China.
• Communicate with the Accounts Department to ensure material cost changes are picked up and deliveries reconcile with purchase orders.
• Record and maintain supplier non-conformances, report monthly and as necessary implement any appropriate actions to prevent reoccurrence.
• Support Goods inwards function where needed - booking in / distribution of small items to various areas around site.
• Any other reasonable tasks associated and requested within this role.

Person Specification:

• Previous experience working within a purchasing environment.
• Understanding of MRP systems desirable
• Knowledge of engineering manufacturing and materials desirable.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to negotiate well, including dealing with difficult situations.
• Ability to work without direct supervision and to cooperate as part of a team.
• Flexible and receptive to change.
• Able to work accurately and methodically within timescales.
• Using the most appropriate method of communication to meet individual and business needs effectively.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Experience and Qualifications:

• GCSE Grades A-C in Maths and English (or equivalent qualification).
• Previous experience in a similar role or able to demonstrate ability to provide statistical analysis in previous roles.
• Previous experience working in a busy manufacturing / operations environment.
• Desire to work towards a CIPS Qualification.

Working Hours:

• 37.5 hours per week
• Flexibility during the Company’s peak trading periods

If this is a role you are interested in, please apply online ensuring your CV is up to date.