Assistant Purchasing Manager

Assistant Purchasing Manager

This role is responsible for supporting the Purchasing Manager in the effective management of procurement activities, ensuring the timely and cost-effective sourcing of products, materials and services while maintaining strong supplier relationships and high standards of quality.

Working closely with internal teams and external suppliers, the Assistant Purchasing Manager will help manage purchasing processes, monitor stock levels, negotiate with suppliers and identify opportunities to improve cost, quality and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Purchasing Manager with day-to-day purchasing and procurement activities.
• Source products and materials from approved and new suppliers.
• Obtain and compare quotations, negotiate pricing and agree commercial terms where appropriate.
• Maintain strong, professional relationships with suppliers and monitor supplier performance.
• Place and manage purchase orders, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery.
• Monitor stock levels and purchasing requirements to support efficient inventory management.
• Work closely with Operations, Finance and other departments to ensure purchasing requirements are met.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve purchasing processes.
• Monitor supplier lead times, quality and delivery performance, escalating issues where necessary.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, pricing information and supplier documentation.
• Assist with forecasting, budgeting and reporting as required.
• Ensure purchasing activity complies with company policies and procedures.
• Support the Purchasing Manager with supplier reviews, negotiations and projects.

If you’re our ideal Assistant Purchasing Manager, you will have;

• 3+ Years purchasing experience.
• Experience in goods receiving, managing and maintain an effective storeroom, ideally within Food & Beverage.
• Knowledge of Adaco Fourth desirable, but not required.
• Strong commercial awareness and excellent negotiation skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• A confident and proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Good attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
• The ability to build effective relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Good IT skills, particularly Microsoft Excel and purchasing/inventory systems.
• The ability to analyse pricing, stock and supplier information and make informed decisions.
• A practical, solutions-focused approach and the ability to work well under pressure.
• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment would be advantageous.