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 Harrogate
The North Yorkshire town of Harrogate came to national prominence in the 17th century as a spa town, and over the following centuries visitors would go to the place to take the waters, which they thought had healing properties. Of course, the common people would not have had the wherewithal or the ability to get to the town, especially since they would have been sick, so Harrogate became a resort for the wealthy. Hotels sprung up and the town took on a genteel atmosphere which, some would say, survives to this day. The streets of the town centre are lined with restaurants and cafes, and several large parks give the town a green feel.
Harrogate is 13 miles (21 km) north of Leeds and 18 miles (30 km) west of York. Although the Yorkshire Dales are just to the west and the North York Moors to the north east, the town is not in a national park. It is, however, separated from any major settlement by at least 10 miles of countryside in any direction. The A1(M) passes reasonably close by over to the west; Leeds and York are connected a via rail route that stops at the town.
Despite its largely affluent populace, the town does have some industry, and boasts the Harrogate International Centre, the UK’s third-largest conference and exhibition centre. Thanks to Bucks Fizz’s 1981 triumph, the Centre hosted the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest. It was won by the German singer Nicole, with her song A Little Peace, something non-Eurovision fans have wished for ever since.
With an economically active populace of about 70,000 and a constant stream of professional visitors and day-trippers, Harrogate has a healthy need for logistics and supply chain professionals, meaning that Purchasing Administrator positions here and in the region are not uncommon.
Popular locations
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.
Contact us