At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Buying team by processing orders and liaising with suppliers.
- Company: Join Haskins, a family-owned, award-winning garden centre business.
- Benefits: Earn up to £14.26 per hour with generous discounts and health benefits.
- Other info: Enjoy flexible hours, charity support, and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team and enhance your skills in a reputable company.
- Qualifications: Strong communication and IT skills; buying experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 14.26 - 14.26 £ per hour.
We are recruiting a Buying Assistant for our Haskins Head Office on a temporary, part time basis, working 15 hours per week. Salary up to £14.26 per hour.
Haskins is a family owned, award winning business with 5 destination garden centres across the South of England, each with a large restaurant. We constantly strive to improve the service and experience we offer our customers, that’s why the recruitment of our people is so important to us. If you are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, have an eagerness to learn, and want to be part of a leading business, we want you to join our team.
The role of Buying Assistant involves:
- Supporting our busy FMCG Buying team by assisting and working alongside Buyers and internal teams.
- Liaising with suppliers and processing orders.
- Ensuring contracted stock is available and delivered on time ready for planned usage.
- Assisting the Buyer in making planning decisions.
- Monitoring products and suggesting repeat orders when required.
- Inputting all purchasing data into the company product data system.
- Analysing data, dealing with invoice queries, and administration.
- Liaising with suppliers and our Garden Centres to ensure the product range is in the right place at the right time.
This is an exceptional opportunity to work in a great team environment for a strong and well reputed company. The ideal candidate will have some Buying/Purchasing experience; however, if you have strong Customer Service and administration skills, attention to detail, and are exceptionally personable to build relationships with suppliers, then that will be considered.
If you feel you have the skills and experience for the role of Buying Assistant, then please do apply.
In return we provide:
- Generous Company Discount scheme.
- Retail discounts, saving money on day-to-day spending, days out, and gifts.
- Cycle Scheme, helping spread the cost of a bike and saving on tax.
- Health Cash Plan, for a small monthly contribution access a 24-hour online GP service, recover costs for dental and optical appointments, and more.
- Time off to support local charities, with an annual paid Charity Day.
- Wellbeing support with Mental Health First Aiders and external Assistance Program providing free counselling and advice for you and your family.
- Company pension scheme for eligible employees.
- Free on-site parking.
- Up to 38 days of Holiday (pro-rata).
Buying Assistant - Temporary Position (6 months) - Haskins Head Office - Ferndown, Dorset employer: Haskins Garden Centres
Haskins Garden Centres is an exceptional employer that values its employees and fosters a supportive work culture. Located in Ferndown, Dorset, we offer generous benefits including a company discount scheme, health cash plan, and opportunities for personal growth through our commitment to employee wellbeing. Join our family-owned business and be part of a team that prioritises excellent customer service and community support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying Assistant - Temporary Position (6 months) - Haskins Head Office - Ferndown, Dorset
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Buying Assistant - Temporary Position (6 months) - Haskins Head Office - Ferndown, Dorset
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Haskins Garden Centres that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Haskins Garden Centres can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Haskins Garden Centres that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Haskins Garden Centres know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Haskins Garden Centres
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
