Purchasing Administrator jobs
While the procurement managers and buyers go about their work sourcing raw materials and other goods to wring out the highest possibly levels of efficiency, the purchasing administrator will be tasked with much of the “paperwork” of the transactions they arrange. They will have to compare deliveries with the agreed orders, not only in terms of quantity and timeliness but also quality, as there can be great variation in many products.
The purchasing administrator will spend much of his or her time using spreadsheets to log all the gathered data and perform basic accounting tasks to make sure the figures tally up. There will also be extensive analysis of figures which will be fed back to the buyers and to head office to ensure the purchasing effort, particularly with regard to price, is running as planned.
Should the buyers successfully find deals with alternative suppliers that are better than the current deals in force, it will be up to the purchasing administrator to make contact with the potential supplier and ensure that the goods they intend to supply are exactly as required by the company in terms of quality, and that they can deliver on time.
The skills required
As with any administration role, a full understanding of the aims of the business, the particulars of the sector in which they operate, and quite possibly a good level of knowledge of the legal aspects of the sector will be required. whether these will be expected as entry requirements or given by the company will depend on the employer, but there can be no disadvantage in having some background experience that would help with the job.
Great analytical skills will be required for purchasing administrators who are required to perform more complex calculations on the figures, as they will be acting as intermediaries between the board and the buyers themselves, and thus their conclusions will carry great weight in any future forecasting performed by the company.
And finally, being able to gather data and deliver findings to both senior management and the buying team will require above average communication skills, be it verbally, electronically or graphically.
Purchasing Administrator Jobs in Belfast
As Northern Ireland's capital and largest city, Belfast offers a number of opportunities for those seeking Purchasing Administrator positions.
The region was first settled during the Bronze Age and had become a thriving community by the 17th century.
During the Industrial Revolution, Belfast was known for producing a broad range of goods, including linen, rope and tobacco.
Meanwhile, its proximity to two large bodies of water - Belfast Lough and the River Lagan - made the city an ideal location for shipbuilding.
Over a period of 150 years, Harland and Wolff - once one of the city's most famous shipbuilders and currently fabricating equipment for the marine, offshore and renewable energy sectors - constructed numerous vessels. These included luxury liners like the Titanic, Olympic and Britannic, as well as the HMS Belfast, a Royal Navy light cruiser that is now permanently moored on the River Thames in central London.
Following the First World War, Belfast's economy began to slowly decline and by the 1960s and 1970s, the city's situation gradually deteriorated as civil unrest of the period known as The Troubles created a fragile financial situation and a community riddled with violence.
However, since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, Belfast has once again emerged as a city with a viable economy and there has been rapid redevelopment.
These days, Belfast is a centre for education and commerce and companies based here include Allstate NI, Moy Park, Bombardier Aerospace and Translink - Northern Ireland's main provider of public transport.
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Cast UK’s procurement opportunities
Cast UK was founded by logistics, procurement and supply chain specialists, and our consultants are all from these backgrounds too, so we have in-depth knowledge of what employers and candidates are looking for. Employers come to us to find candidates because they’re confident that we’ll help them find the most appropriate managers and executives.
We have jobs all over the UK, so are well placed to find you work in wherever you are located or plan to locate. If you’re moving house, please see if there are any positions available in the area you’re moving to; and if you’re simply looking for more fulfilment in your working life, there could be an employer looking for the skills you have.
Once we have your details, we’ll be able to start matching you with positions as soon as they arise, so do get in touch if you’re looking for a job in procurement.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Purchasing Administrator for your business or find you a job as a Purchasing Administrator then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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