At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and negotiate pricing for Chinese food products.
- Company: Join Korea Foods Company, a leading family-run business in the UK food industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy a birthday day off, yearly bonuses, and 28+ days of holiday.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a supportive, family-oriented workplace.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team and make an impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 1-2 years in retail or wholesale, fluent in Mandarin and English.
The predicted salary is between 33750 - 41250 £ per year.
Hours per week: 42.5 (M – F 0830 – 1800 *an hour unpaid break inclusive)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time, Subject to 3-month probation
Expected Start date: ASAP
Reports To: Purchasing Officer
Location: office-based
Duties & Key Responsibilities
- Manage Chinese food product category and supplier relationships
- Negotiate pricing and terms with suppliers
- Monitor stock levels and place orders to ensure availability
- Maintain appropriate inventory and back stock levels
- Check incoming goods for quality and accuracy
- Monitor and update product pricing when required
- Track sales performance and report to management
- Process invoices, returns, and related documents
- Liaise with branches regarding promotions and stock issues
- Communicate with suppliers, customers, and internal teams
- Maintain accurate records and filing systems
- Ensure data accuracy in purchasing and inventory systems
- Follow company procedures and complete ad hoc tasks as required
Requirements
- 1–2 years’ experience in retail or wholesale (food industry preferred)
- Knowledge of Chinese food products, importation, or labelling (advantageous)
- Fluent in Mandarin and English
- Good numerical and analytical skills
- Strong organisational and time management skills
- Good attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong communication and negotiation skills
- Ability to multitask and work independently
- Proactive, reliable, and able to work in a fast-paced environment
- Willingness to learn and adapt
The Company:
Korea Foods Company is the leader in the supply of Korean food in the UK. A family-run business, established in 1999, Korea Foods Company has over 500 employees working within its Head Office, Logistics Centres, and Retail Stores. We import from key brands in Korea, and distribute to the Asian community, focusing on East Asian consumers. We have also seen substantial growth within the supermarket multiples, securing significant listings with Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, and Costco. We also operate our own retail store network, Seoul Plaza, currently with 21 stores within the estate, with more opening in 2026. Growth has been consistently double-digit, with a sales turnover in excess of £85 million. The company is an incredibly dynamic and fast-paced place to work, with ambiguity and transparency that is often associated with family-run businesses. It is, also, whilst not for the faint-hearted, a rewarding workplace where personal achievements are recognised due to the relatively flat management structure.
Benefits
- Paid day off on your birthday
- Yearly bonus
- Free onsite parking
- Holiday starting at 28 days plus a personal day rising to 29 days after 5 years (Bank holidays inclusive)
- Pension scheme 3% contributed by the company
- Annual pay review
- 5% discount from Company’s retail stores Seoul Plaza and Cash and Carry
***IMPORTANT: Please ensure you attach your CV with your application. Interviews for suitable candidates will be conducted while the job advertisement is active. Please note that the posting may close earlier than the specified deadline, depending on recruitment progress. Please note: Due to the high volume of applications, if you do not hear from us within 2 weeks of submitting your application, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion. If you have any specific questions, please submit an inquiry through the company's website under the RECRUITMENT section: https://www.koreafoods.co.uk/contact/
Purchasing Assistant in New Malden employer: Korea Foods
Korea Foods Company is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and dynamic work environment where personal achievements are celebrated within a family-run structure. With a strong focus on employee growth, benefits such as a paid day off on your birthday, annual bonuses, and generous holiday allowances, coupled with the opportunity to work closely with key suppliers in the food industry, make this role particularly rewarding. Located in the UK, employees enjoy a supportive culture that encourages learning and adaptability, making it an ideal place for those looking to thrive in a fast-paced setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Purchasing Assistant in New Malden
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Korea Foods, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Korea Foods!
We think you need these skills to ace Purchasing Assistant in New Malden
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Korea Foods, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Korea Foods and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Korea Foods that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Korea Foods
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
