At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage purchasing and shipping operations in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Leading scientific instruments business at the forefront of innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible 3-day work week with competitive pro-rata salary.
- Other info: 12-month maternity cover contract with opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and gain hands-on experience in logistics and procurement.
- Qualifications: Experience in shipping/logistics and strong organisational skills required.
The predicted salary is between 18000 - 19200 £ per year.
We're working with a leading scientific instruments business that operates at the forefront of innovation, supporting industries including pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, petrochemicals, and advanced materials. Due to maternity cover, they are now looking for a Purchasing & Shipping Administrator to join their Operations team for a 12-month contract.
The Role
This is a varied, hands-on role supporting the smooth running of procurement and logistics operations. You'll be responsible for managing purchasing activity, coordinating shipments, and ensuring accurate records across systems. You'll work closely with internal teams and external suppliers to ensure materials and products are sourced, shipped, and delivered efficiently.
Key Responsibilities
- Purchasing
- Raise and process purchase orders for materials, supplies, and equipment
- Liaise with suppliers to obtain quotes and confirm delivery timelines
- Maintain accurate PO, invoice, and receipt records
- Monitor stock levels and support replenishment planning
- Shipping & Logistics (critical focus)
- Coordinate all outbound shipments to customers
- Prepare shipping documentation (packing lists, invoices, customs paperwork where required)
- Arrange freight and liaise with carriers to schedule deliveries
- Track shipments and proactively resolve delays or issues
- CRM & Systems
- Maintain accurate records of orders, customer information, and communications
- Update CRM/ERP systems with order and shipping data
- Support reporting and data accuracy across systems
- General Coordination
- Work closely with production, sales, and customer service teams
- Support smooth order fulfilment and customer communication
- Build strong relationships with suppliers and logistics partners
About You
We're looking for someone who is:
- Essential:
- Experienced in shipping/logistics (this is a must-have)
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail
- Confident working in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment
- Comfortable using CRM or ERP systems
- A strong communicator who enjoys coordinating between teams
- Desirable:
- Experience in purchasing or procurement
- Exposure to finance/admin tasks such as invoicing (Sage experience ideal)
- Understanding of import/export processes
Working Pattern & Salary
We are offering a 3-day per week, 12-month maternity cover contract, based in Alperton. 3 days per week: £18,000 – £19,200 pro rata.
Purchasing & Shipping Administrator in England employer: Parkside Office Professional
Join a leading scientific instruments business in Alperton, where innovation meets opportunity. As a Purchasing & Shipping Administrator, you'll thrive in a supportive work culture that values collaboration and efficiency, while enjoying flexible working hours and competitive pay. With a focus on employee growth, this role offers the chance to develop your skills in procurement and logistics within a dynamic environment that supports various industries.
Contact Details:
Parkside Office Professional Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Purchasing & Shipping Administrator in England
✨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 Purchasing & Shipping Administrator in England
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 Parkside Office Professional 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, Parkside Office Professional 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 Parkside Office Professional 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 Parkside Office Professional 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 Parkside Office Professional
✨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.
