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 Stockton-on-Tees
Stockton-on-Tees is a large town to the west of Middlesbrough, which is historically notable as being one end of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the first commercial railway in the world, which opened in 1825. The railway wasn’t built for fun, though – Stockton was an important industrialised town that had a thriving shipbuilding industry as well as a market that attracted people from miles around. Other industries connected to shipbuilding, such as rope-making and sail-making, also prospered. Two years after the railway was opened, in 1827, another world-changing event took place in Stockton – the strikeable match was invented by local chemist John Walker.
Heavy industry declined in the post-war period, and Stockton residents were more likely to commute to Middlesbrough, Hartlepool or Darlington to work than to work close to home. However in the 1990s and 2000s there was a good deal of redevelopment, with business parks being constructed and a new industry – the call centre – making an appearance here, along with other North East towns and cities. The friendly nature of the local accents is often cited as one of the reasons for the concentration of call centres in this area.
In 2012 Stockton-on-Tees became one of Mary Portas’s twelve “Portas Pilot” town centres which are set for regeneration via some government cash and a sprinkling of expertise. The regeneration is hoped to create new jobs and give the retail sector a boost, which could be good news for anyone looking for a Purchasing Assistant job in the town. With plenty of heavy industry in the immediate vicinity, it’s definitely worth having a local search, too.
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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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