Purchasing Assistant

Purchasing Assistant

Full-Time 21600 - 36000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our team as a Purchasing Assistant, processing orders and liaising with suppliers.
  • Company: Miller's Vanguard supports UK supermarkets, ensuring they keep the nation fed for over 40 years.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 32 days holiday, training opportunities, and fun company events.
  • Why this job: Be part of a supportive culture with career development and state-of-the-art facilities.
  • Qualifications: Previous purchasing experience is preferred, but strong admin skills are also welcome.
  • Other info: Monday to Friday role with a focus on teamwork and employee value.

The predicted salary is between 21600 - 36000 £ per year.

Responsibilities

  • To deal with purchase order requests in a timely manner.
  • To ensure purchase prices are kept up-to-date.
  • Ensuring correct prices are gathered and inputted into internal systems
  • To ensure parts are sourced quickly and in a cost-efficient manner.
  • Expediting orders whilst maintaining supplier relationships.
  • Identify any potential cost savings for the business.
  • Regular contact with suppliers and internal stakeholders via telephone and email.

Our Ideal Candidate

  • Previous purchasing experience is preferred, including parts sourcing, processing purchase orders, and dealing with suppliers. However strong administrative experience will be considered.
  • Particular attention will be given to applicants who possess knowledge of Sage order processing, although training will be available.
  • Good knowledge and understanding of ordering via online portals.
  • Computer literacy is essential, ideally with a background in Excel.
  • Knowledge of the Siclops and/or Solar Vista Live systems is desirable but not essential as training will be given.
  • A good telephone manner and ability to deal efficiently with queries both internal and external.
  • High attention to detail.

Company Information

Who are we?

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 service are as follows: –

  • 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.

Why Join Us

  • Training in our City & Guilds accredited academy
  • Job Specific Uniform & tooling for all roles
  • Company wide fun days and charity events
  • Company Pension
  • Holiday allowance of 32 days per year
  • Regular staff ‘treats’ for employees and their families
  • Monday to Friday – 8 am – 5 pm

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Purchasing Assistant employer: Miller’s Recruitment

Miller's Vanguard is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment where employees are valued as the company's greatest asset. With a strong focus on career development through our City and Guilds accredited training centre, we provide ample opportunities for growth and progression, alongside a generous holiday allowance of 32 days and a vibrant company culture that includes fun days and charity events. Join us in our state-of-the-art facilities and be part of a team that plays a crucial role in keeping the nation fed.
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Contact Detail:

Miller’s Recruitment Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Purchasing Assistant

Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific software mentioned in the job description, such as Sage order processing. Even if you haven't used it before, showing a willingness to learn and adapt can set you apart from other candidates.

Tip Number 2

Highlight any previous experience you have with supplier relationships and cost-saving initiatives. Be ready to discuss specific examples during your interview to demonstrate your ability to manage these aspects effectively.

Tip Number 3

Practice your telephone communication skills, as a good telephone manner is essential for this role. Consider role-playing common scenarios you might encounter when dealing with suppliers or internal stakeholders.

Tip Number 4

Research Miller's Vanguard and their operations to understand their values and culture. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with theirs can make a strong impression during the interview process.

We think you need these skills to ace Purchasing Assistant

Purchase Order Processing
Supplier Relationship Management
Cost Analysis
Attention to Detail
Administrative Skills
Computer Literacy
Excel Proficiency
Sage Order Processing Knowledge
Online Ordering Systems Familiarity
Effective Communication Skills
Telephone Etiquette
Problem-Solving Skills
Time Management
Negotiation Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant purchasing experience, especially any roles involving parts sourcing and processing purchase orders. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate your fit for the role.

Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your administrative skills and attention to detail. Mention any experience with Sage order processing or online ordering systems, even if it's limited, to show your willingness to learn.

Highlight Computer Literacy: Emphasise your computer skills, particularly in Excel. If you have experience with Siclops or Solar Vista Live systems, mention it, but also express your eagerness to receive training if needed.

Showcase Communication Skills: Since the role involves regular contact with suppliers and internal stakeholders, highlight your good telephone manner and ability to handle queries efficiently. Provide examples of how you've successfully communicated in previous roles.

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

Show Your Purchasing Knowledge

Make sure to highlight any previous purchasing experience you have, especially in parts sourcing and processing purchase orders. If you've worked with suppliers before, share specific examples of how you managed those relationships.

Demonstrate Attention to Detail

Since the role requires high attention to detail, prepare to discuss how you ensure accuracy in your work. You might want to mention any systems or processes you use to double-check your entries, especially when dealing with prices and order details.

Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Software

While knowledge of Sage order processing is a plus, it's also important to show your computer literacy. Brush up on Excel skills and be ready to discuss any experience you have with online ordering portals or similar systems.

Prepare for Supplier Interaction Scenarios

Since regular contact with suppliers is part of the job, think about how you would handle various scenarios. Prepare to discuss how you would chase delivery dates or resolve issues, showcasing your good telephone manner and problem-solving skills.

Purchasing Assistant
Miller’s Recruitment
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