Purchasing Assistant jobs
Helping to keep company expenditure to an absolute minimum whilst ensuring delivery of orders on time are the main tasks of the purchasing assistant. As the name suggests, they might be working alongside purchasing managers or heads of procurement, and might be streamed into specific parts of the procurement operation, for example dealing with certain countries or certain materials, depending upon their expertise.
The role will involve a good deal of administration work too, as distinct from the work done by the more supplier-facing buyers. The purchasing assistant will usually need to collect the data on procurement quite regularly in order to keep on top of the reporting effort and maintain complete control over budgets and forecasts.
There could be some contact with suppliers in the job, perhaps chasing up invoices or keeping in communication to ensure things are running smoothly and that no issues threaten to jeopardise the constant supply should it be required by the employer.
The purchasing assistant is an important role in a procurement department, dealing with the paperwork and other admin work in order to allow the buyers to go about their work more efficiently.
The skills required
The buyers and purchasing management will be relying on the purchasing assistant to maintain a smoothly running procurement department, so independent-minded people who are able to work on their own initiative will be highly valued. They will need to understand the procurement process, and any specific knowledge of the sector that the position is in will certainly help, as it will increase the likelihood of awareness of specific documents and legal aspects of it.
The purchasing assistant may well have several or tens of buyers to process the work of, so they should be excellent at juggling many different sets of figures and lines of communication at once. The ability to collect and present information accurately will depend upon the purchasing assistant’s ability to communicate effectively, making this skill key to potential candidates.
Purchasing Assistant Jobs in Bootle
Modern-day Bootle is indistinguishable from the main conurbation of Liverpool, so absorbed has it become. However it is a distinct part, and is part of the Sefton area, the coastal borough that stretches up to Southport. Bootle is the home to Liverpool’s famous docklands, and is still active as a container port, despite a general decline in Liverpool’s status as a maritime hub. Liverpool itself is a relatively young city, and Bootle grew up around the same time as it, with its docks being built in the nineteenth century – indeed until Liverpool was such a major port, Bootle was q rather quaint resort.
Bootle lies to the north of the city of Liverpool, with an expansive front that faces onto the Mersey and the North Sea. Directly across the outlet is the northern tip of the Wirral, New Brighton, which is accessible by tunnel. The railway network connects Bootle directly to Liverpool, Southport, Preston and Manchester. Although the M57 and M58 pass to the east of the city area, there is no direct motorway access to the town.
Bootle suffered a substantial decline in the 1980s and 1990s as shipping companies limited their use of Liverpool’s docks, although the decline seems to have been arrested, and a major regeneration project is going on in the area. A major boost has been the return of liners to Liverpool in the past few years, which, it is hoped, will boost the economy and Liverpool’s reputation as a port. The proximity to the container port and the bustling streets of Liverpool means that there will always be a need for Purchasing Assistant jobs to be filled, however, so Bootle looks set to continue playing a part in the logistics and supply chain industries.
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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.
Cast UK have jobs all over the UK, so we are well placed to find you work in logistics, procurement or supply chain 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.
When 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 Assistant for your business or find you a job as a Purchasing Assistant then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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