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 Sussex
Sussex, a historic county in the south-east of England, is situated on the Channel coast and shares borders with Surrey, Kent and Hampshire.
It's also home to a number of large settlements - including Chichester, Brighton and Hove, Hastings, Eastbourne, Crawley and Bognor Regis - and offers a range of opportunities for those seeking Purchasing Assistant jobs.
Historically, the region has been known for agriculture and fishing, while the seaside resort towns were popular destinations for tourists, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
These days, tourism continues to play an important part in the local economy. Brighton, for example, is a favourite getaway for Londoners seeking a bit of sunshine and sea air on the weekends, while visitors from around the world come to see the Royal Pavilion and the pleasure pier.
Of course, there's much more to the region than leisure activities. For instance, Sussex has a strong hold on the financial industry, with credit card giant American Express having its European headquarters here.
The Thales Group, known for manufacturing electrical systems for the aerospace, security and defence markets also has a facility in Sussex.
Other companies in the area include The Body Shop, Doosan Babcock Energy and WesternGeco. Fischer yachts are built in Sussex and Nature's Way Foods produces pre-packaged salads and fruit. Meanwhile, various airlines have offices in the region, such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Thomson Airways.
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.
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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