Purchasing Assistant in Milton Keynes

Group Procurement supports Connells Group by sourcing goods and services, managing supplier relationships and helping colleagues obtain the right products and services at the right quality, cost and time. The team works with stakeholders across the business to promote value for money, effective purchasing controls, accurate records and responsible supplier management.

You will provide accurate and timely administrative support across purchasing activities, including purchase orders, quotations, supplier records, invoice queries, reporting and general procurement coordination. The role will help ensure that requests are progressed efficiently, records remain accurate and stakeholders receive a professional service.

Key Responsibilities:

• Receiving and logging purchasing requests, checking that required information and approvals are in place and following up where details are incomplete.
• Obtaining quotations and supporting straightforward price comparisons in line with agreed procurement processes.
• Raising purchase orders accurately and promptly, tracking progress and communicating updates to requestors.
• Maintaining organised electronic records so there is a clear and auditable record of purchasing activity.
• Supporting supplier onboarding by issuing and collating required documents, completing checks and maintaining supplier records.
• Keeping supplier details, key contacts, pricing information, insurance documents and related records current.
• Coordinating documentation with Procurement colleagues and relevant internal teams.
• Liaising with suppliers and internal stakeholders regarding order acknowledgements, delivery dates, shortages, returns and discrepancies.
• Supporting the investigation and resolution of invoice queries, including differences between purchase orders, goods received and invoices.
• Escalating recurring issues, delays or exceptions to the Group Procurement Manager.
• Updating trackers and producing accurate routine reports on purchasing activity, savings, supplier information and outstanding actions.
• Arranging meetings, preparing documents, taking notes and tracking agreed actions where required.
• Supporting sourcing exercises, procurement projects and other team priorities as directed.

Key Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

• Previous experience in a purchasing, procurement, finance or business administration role is desirable.
• Strong administrative and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Excellent attention to detail and confidence working with numbers, pricing and data.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Outlook and Word.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills and a professional, customer-focused approach.
• Ability to build constructive working relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• A proactive, practical approach and willingness to take ownership of actions through to completion.
• Ability to handle commercially sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
• An understanding of purchase orders, invoices and supplier onboarding would be advantageous.

Connells Group UK is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

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