Purchasing Clerk

dnata Catering UK is the world’s largest inflight caterer. Now spanning more than 60 global locations, we continue to invest in growing our business through technology, new facilities and acquisitions. We’re growing where our customers want us to.

We are currently seeking a Purchasing Assistant to join our team in our busy Manchester Catering unit. The purchasing clerk will be responsible for supporting the Operations by ordering, tracking, and maintaining records of materials, supplies, or products that we require to run a successful operation. The primary role is to ensure that purchases are made efficiently, cost-effectively, and in compliance with company policies. They work closely with suppliers, manage purchase orders, and help maintain inventory levels to support smooth business operations.

What you’ll be doing:

• Ensure activities are organised and carried out to meet scheduled targets and all costs are contained within agreed financial guidelines.
• Placing daily product orders with nominated suppliers according to operational procedures, maintaining good working relationships with suppliers.
• Ensure all products are ordered in line with company and airline standards and specifications.
• Liaising with the Materials Controller and Team Managers regarding delivery failures, investigating these with suppliers and in line with the Materials Controller ensuring corrective actions are put in place as required.
• Complete and maintain all orders in a timely and accurate manner.
• Liaising with all departments regarding requirements in relation to Production Schedules.
• Visit operational shop floor to check stock levels in freezers and fridges.
• Take on a hands-on approach to stock management within the operation.
• Communicating issues and concerns to your manager on a Shift/Daily/Weekly basis.
• Suggesting corrective actions to resolve problems in storage stock control/Purchasing and waste control in line with operational procedures.
• Assist in the process of wastage control as appropriate.
• Controlling substitution and equipment costs as required.
• Suggesting corrective action to eliminate “Out of Stocks”.
• Ensure the team and its performance is the most effective it can be.
• Effectively communicating to the team on issues/news, specifically to the materials controller on supplier issues and stock shortages.
• Support all team members in achieving individual and team objectives.
• Take part in training activities as identified by your line manager.
• Ensure compliance to legislative, customer and company standards.
• Completing Due Diligence paperwork as defined by best practice.
• Ensuring security processes are maintained so that security of equipment, personnel and stock may be assured.
• Comply with all company and legislative standards as outlined in relevant company policies and within Compliance and induction training.
• Ensure you contribute positively to achieving an expected level of internal and external customer service.
• Maintaining regular contact with internal and external customers and suppliers informing the Materials Controller of issues identified so that they can be promptly rectified.
• Suggesting changes that may improve the service offered to internal and external Customers.
• Providing Expert Knowledge as required.
• Responding positively to purchasing/stock control implications of new customer specifications.
• Dealing effectively with customer enquiries.
• Maintaining internal production schedules through timely replenishment of all stock, in line with ordering procedures.

This list is not exhaustive, accountabilities may vary depending on locality or role complexity and may include any other duties considered reasonable by the line manager.

What you’ll have:

• Ability to plan and organise.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Computer literate, able to manipulate data.
• Communication Skills – must be able to communicate at all levels.
• Must be methodical, and logical in their approach to work.
• Working knowledge of SAP, MM and cBase an advantage.
• Experience/knowledge of Materials Control processes.
• Able to work as a team member and stand alone.

If you believe your skills and experience align with what we’re looking for, we encourage you to apply — we’d love to hear from you!