Production & Procurement Assistant

Job Description

Our mission

At Curious Universe, we’re all about sparking joy, creativity, and curiosity—through brilliantly designed products that invite everyone to create, explore, and play. Based in the vibrant city of Bath, we’re a passionate, diverse team of designers, makers, and innovators, united by one mission: To create out-of-this world products that make people feel inspired and happy inside.

Founded in 2018, we’ve grown fast—selling over 20 million products a year in 38 languages across 77 countries. Our portfolio includes arts & crafts, activity books, toys, stationery and lifestyle products, plus exciting, licensed ranges that bring best-loved brands to life in fresh, engaging formats.

At Curious Universe, we design products that spark imagination and invite hands-on creativity, turning ideas into experiences that inspire all ages. With a talented and diverse team driving innovation across every department, we’re proud to create products that stand out on shelves and in homes around the world.

Along the way, we’ve been proud to earn recognition for both our creativity and company culture, from being named Business of the Year at the Business Leaders South-West Awards to winning Diversity & Inclusion at the Elite Business UK Awards. Our products have also picked up top honours, including the Creative Play Award and Dad’s Choice Award. None of this would be possible without our talented, passionate team of 100+ who are the driving force behind everything we do.

The sky’s not the limit. Be extraordinary.

Purpose of the Role

The Production & Procurement Assistant will provide flexible, hands-on support across the Group Production department, working closely with colleagues in Production Control, Procurement and Product Development. The role will involve a varied mix of administrative, systems-based and practical tasks, helping teams manage day-to-day activities efficiently, maintain accurate records and keep products and processes moving.

Main responsibilities

Production & Systems Support

• Support Production Control with general administrative and operational tasks to help maintain efficient workflows and meet departmental deadlines.
• Assist with updating, maintaining and checking production records, trackers and internal systems to ensure information remains accurate and up to date.
• Help identify and resolve discrepancies in documentation, system information and product records, escalating issues where necessary.
• Process, upload and check files against publishing specifications on the internal system, ensuring information is accurate, complete and correctly recorded.
• Receive, unpack and sort incoming parcels, ensuring deliveries are checked and passed promptly to the correct team members.
• Support the checking, labelling, logging and circulation of advance copies, ensuring copies reach the relevant colleagues and are handled appropriately.
• Maintain the advance copy library, ensuring items are clearly labelled, accurately logged and stored in an organised manner.
• Log product samples in the Sales Tracker, ensuring records are complete and kept up to date.
• Assist with the organisation, tracking and distribution of product samples and other materials required by internal teams.

Procurement Support

• Assist the Procurement Team with raising purchase orders, ensuring order details are accurate and align with approved product specifications, quantities and costs.
• Support the maintenance and updating of purchase order information, supplier records and associated documentation.
• Support the processing of purchase order (PO) revisions, ensuring changes are recorded accurately and communicated to the relevant teams and suppliers where required.
• Assist with general procurement administration, including collating information, maintaining trackers and supporting the team with day-to-day purchasing activities.
• Help ensure relevant documentation and information are available to support the timely placement and processing of purchase orders.

General Departmental Support

• Support the Product Development Team with the circulation, tracking and return of product dummies, samples and other development materials.
• Provide flexible administrative and practical support across Production Control, Procurement, Product Development and other areas of the department as required.
• Undertake ad hoc tasks and projects to support departmental priorities, responding positively to changing requirements and workloads.
• Help maintain an organised and efficient working environment, including the management of shared resources, samples, documents and deliveries.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across teams to ensure tasks are completed accurately, efficiently and within agreed timescales.
• Take a proactive approach to identifying tasks that need attention and offering support to colleagues during busy periods.

Required skills

Skills & Experience

• Experience using Adobe Acrobat Pro and Adobe In Design
• Organised with good attention to detail
• IT skills – proficient in outlook, excel and word
• Proactive and self-motivated with a positive can-do attitude
• Good communication skills (written and verbal)
• Initiative, honesty, and integrity
• A Team Player

Benefits

• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• Free fitness classes
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Life insurance
• Paid volunteer time
• Referral programme
• Sick pay
• Work from home