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 Cannock
Cannock is one the constituent parts of Cannock chase in southern Staffordshire, a district with a population of around 100,000. The town is more strongly connected with the cities of Birmingham and Wolverhampton to the south and south west respectively, however, although Stafford is just 9 miles (14 km) to the north. Cannock is connected to the rest of the country via the M6 (and the M6 Toll, which passes directly to its south) and the M54 can be joined just to the south west as it heads westwards towards Shrewsbury.
Like much of the Black Country, Cannock went through a period of massive growth during the Industrial Revolution, with the area being best known for its coal mines which helped fuel the industry going on to the south. However the decline followed the same pattern, and unusually, Cannock’s de-industrialisation was accompanied by a falling population rather than an effort to diversify. The town is now an averagely built-up town with several areas of woodland, parks and golf courses dotted around. There is light industry to the south, but generally speaking Cannock is a commuter town.
Though Cannock is not large in itself, it is located close to three large concentrations of population, and this means that anyone looking for Purchasing Assistant work might do well to cast their net a little further afield, perhaps to Birmingham, Wolverhampton or Stafford, or perhaps even Stoke or Derby. That said, all towns have logistics and supply chain needs, so there’s no reason why something local might come up.
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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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