Purchasing Administrator

Purchasing Administrator

Full-Time 30000 - 42000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Miller’s Recruitment

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage purchasing activities and build strong supplier relationships in a fast-paced environment.
  • Company: Join Miller’s Vanguard, supporting UK supermarkets for over 40 years.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 24 holidays, company pension, and fun staff events.
  • Why this job: Be part of a team that keeps the nation fed while developing your career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in purchasing or supply chain, strong organisational skills, and proactive mindset.
  • Other info: Work in a state-of-the-art environment with excellent training and career development opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.

We’re looking for an experienced, proactive Purchasing Administrator to help keep our supply chain running smoothly. If you thrive in a fast‑paced environment, enjoy building strong supplier relationships, and have a knack for keeping processes organised and efficient, this role will suit you perfectly. Experience with purchasing refrigeration parts/catering parts/powered access desirable but not essential.

Your Role

  • Managing day‑to‑day purchasing activities, including raising purchase orders and processing requisitions
  • Monitoring stock levels and ensuring timely replenishment
  • Liaising with suppliers to negotiate pricing, lead times, and delivery schedules
  • Tracking orders, resolving discrepancies, and ensuring accurate documentation
  • Maintaining supplier records and supporting supplier performance reviews
  • Working closely with internal customers (operations, finance, workshop, account management, etc.) to forecast needs and support business priorities
  • Supporting continuous improvement initiatives within the procurement function

Ideal Candidate

  • Proven experience in a purchasing, procurement, or supply chain administration role advantageous
  • Strong organisational skills and exceptional attention to detail
  • Confident communicator with the ability to build positive supplier relationships
  • Comfortable working with Microsoft Apps and purchasing systems/ERP software
  • Good numerical skills and a solid understanding of purchasing processes
  • Ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines in a busy environment
  • A proactive mindset — someone who spots issues early and takes initiative

Company Information

Miller’s Vanguard are proud to have been supporting all the UK’s Supermarket chains for over 40 years, in brief, we are the people in the background ensuring that supermarkets keep the Nation fed! Maintaining a wide and varied range of assets from food production equipment through to loading bay lifts.

Our services

  • Nationwide reactive maintenance
  • Hygienic Deep cleaning & Planned maintenance services
  • Refurbishment, logistics and installation of equipment

We do all of this with the firm foundations of being owned by the global Ali Group, whose turnover is in excess of £4 billion p.a.

Our people

Despite being a large operation here at Miller’s Vanguard we still firmly believe in running the business like we have done for the last 40 years, by valuing our biggest asset we have YOU…the employee. Our team of over 500 employees have the advantage of working in state‑of‑the‑art working environments:

  • New (2021) Technical response centre
  • Award Winning research, Innovation, and recycling facility
  • Industry leading Mercedes Benz fleet

We believe in providing you with the very best environment and tools to do the job.

Career Development

Training is also a huge part of our culture here at Miller’s Vanguard and our City and Guilds accredited training centre is where we coach and develop our employees regardless of your position or your length of service, we want to make sure that our staff can progress and keep pace with ever changing equipment technologies.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm

Location: Millers Vanguard, Bury

Why Join Us

  • Job Specific Uniform & tooling for all roles
  • Company wide fun days and charity events
  • Company Pension
  • 24 Holidays per year + public bank holidays
  • Regular staff ‘treats’ for employees and their families

Purchasing Administrator employer: Miller’s Recruitment

Miller’s Vanguard is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees, offering a supportive work culture within a state-of-the-art environment. With a strong focus on career growth through accredited training and a commitment to employee engagement through fun days and charity events, we ensure that our team thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic setting. Join us in Bury, where you can make a meaningful impact while enjoying competitive benefits and a collaborative atmosphere.
Miller’s Recruitment

Contact Detail:

Miller’s Recruitment Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Purchasing Administrator

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Purchasing Administrator role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its supply chain processes. Show us that you understand our operations and how you can contribute to keeping things running smoothly. Tailor your answers to highlight your organisational skills and proactive mindset!

Tip Number 3

Don’t just apply anywhere—apply through our website! This way, we can see your application directly and it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Miller’s Vanguard. Plus, it makes tracking your application easier for both of us.

Tip Number 4

Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in making a lasting impression. It shows us that you’re enthusiastic about the role and reinforces your proactive approach—just what we’re looking for in a Purchasing Administrator!

We think you need these skills to ace Purchasing Administrator

Purchasing Skills
Supply Chain Management
Organisational Skills
Attention to Detail
Supplier Relationship Management
Negotiation Skills
Microsoft Apps Proficiency
ERP Software Knowledge
Numerical Skills
Time Management
Proactive Mindset
Problem-Solving Skills
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in purchasing and supply chain roles. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for, so don’t be shy about showcasing your relevant achievements!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Purchasing Administrator role. Share specific examples of how you've built strong supplier relationships or improved processes in previous jobs.

Show Off Your Organisational Skills: Since this role requires strong organisational skills, make sure to mention any tools or systems you’ve used to keep things running smoothly. We love seeing how you manage your workload and prioritise tasks!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Miller’s Recruitment

Know Your Purchasing Processes

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of purchasing processes and supply chain management. Familiarise yourself with how purchase orders are raised, stock levels are monitored, and how to liaise effectively with suppliers. This will show that you’re proactive and ready to hit the ground running.

Showcase Your Organisational Skills

Since this role requires strong organisational skills, prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed multiple tasks or projects. Highlight how you prioritised your workload and met deadlines in a busy environment, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.

Communicate Confidently

Practice your communication skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you’ve built positive relationships with suppliers in the past. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to negotiate pricing and delivery schedules, which is crucial for this role.

Emphasise Your Proactive Mindset

Prepare to discuss situations where you spotted issues early and took the initiative to resolve them. This proactive mindset is key for a Purchasing Administrator, so think of examples that showcase your ability to improve processes and support continuous improvement initiatives.

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