SUPPLY CHAIN BUYING ASSISTANT - MATERNITY COVER in London

Location: Bloomsbury Way, London, WC1A 2SN, United Kingdom

Employee Type: Full Time

Role Overview

Reporting to the Supply Chain Manager, the Supply Chain Buying Assistant will provide administrative, analytical, and operational support across Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, and New Product Development activities. The role will be responsible for maintaining inventory and purchasing systems, managing product information including allergens and nutritional data, supporting forecasting and inventory management, producing commercial reporting, and ensuring accurate product and supplier data across the business. This is an excellent opportunity for an organised, commercially aware, and numerically strong individual looking to develop their career within a fast-paced food and hospitality environment. A 9-month contract, with the option to extend by a further 3 months if required.

Key Responsibilities

• Supply Chain Systems & Administration: Maintain and manage inventory and purchasing systems, ensuring all product and supplier information is accurate and up to date. Create and maintain product records, supplier records, pricing updates, product replacements, and menu recipes. Manage inventory system updates, stock item maintenance, and product master data. Create and maintain promotional and discount codes to support marketing campaigns and restaurant initiatives. Maintain and manage supplier price files, rebate schedules, and purchasing documentation. Support continuous improvement initiatives relating to systems, reporting, and supply chain processes.
• Product Information & Compliance: Create, maintain, and update allergen information and allergen matrices across all menu items and products. Compile and maintain nutritional information for products and menus. Liaise with suppliers to obtain product specifications, technical information, and compliance documentation. Support Quality Assurance activities by ensuring product information remains accurate and compliant.
• Forecasting & Inventory Management: Support stock forecasting and demand planning activities across the business. Produce volume forecasts for existing restaurants, seasonal events, promotional activity, and new restaurant openings. Work closely with the Supply Chain team to support stock continuity and supply planning.
• Reporting & Commercial Analysis: Produce regular sales, purchasing, inventory, and performance reports. Pull Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) reports across restaurant sites for Finance. Calculate and report cost impacts resulting from supplier price changes, product substitutions, menu developments, and promotional activity. Support margin analysis and cost optimisation initiatives through detailed data analysis. Assist with ad-hoc reporting, business analysis, and commercial projects as required.
• Supplier & Operational Support: Coordinate supplier samples and collate pricing information for LTO launches. Manage and maintain supplier food complaint records, supporting issue resolution with suppliers and operational teams. Prepare and distribute communications relating to stock availability, new products, supply chain updates, and operational changes. Act as a support contact for sites supply chain queries, including smallware’s orders.
• Project Support: Provide administrative and analytical support on procurement, supply chain, and business improvement projects. Assist with data gathering, reporting, and implementation of new processes and initiatives. Identify opportunities to improve reporting accuracy, efficiency, and operational performance. Support new site openings by coordinating orders and compiling required information.

Skills and Experience

• Strong numerical and analytical skills.
• Commercially aware with an understanding of food costs, margins, and inventory management.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and spreadsheet skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to analyse, interpret, and present data effectively.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced commercial environment.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and solution-focused approach.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships.
• Experience within foodservice, hospitality, QSR, food manufacturing, or FMCG environments.
• Experience using inventory management, ERP, purchasing, or supply chain systems.
• Knowledge of allergen management and nutritional information processes.
• Experience producing forecasting, inventory, sales, or financial reports.
• Previous experience in a Buying Assistant, Supply Chain Assistant, Procurement Assistant, or similar role.

Education & Experience

• Previous experience in a Supply Chain, Procurement, Buying, Commercial, or Operational Support role.
• Food industry experience is highly desirable.
• FMCG experience would be advantageous.
• Degree-level education or equivalent relevant experience preferred.