Assistant Buyer
Location: Office based, Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm
Salary: Up to £29,000 per year, depending on experience
Bonus: 5% annual bonus
About the Role
We are looking for a proactive and detail-focused Assistant Buyer to join our Purchasing team. This is a key role supporting the smooth running of purchasing operations, supplier performance, MRP requirements, customer-supplied materials, indirect procurement and purchasing administration.
The successful candidate will act as an ambassador for our vision and values, demonstrating a professional and consistent approach when working with suppliers, customers and internal stakeholders across the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare and raise purchase orders and order schedules in line with MRP requirements for raw materials, packaging and indirect goods.
- Support the Buyer and Senior Buyer with scheduling key materials, packaging components and indirect procurement projects.
- Take ownership of customer-supplied MRP, ensuring information is accurate, approved and updated in time to support production.
- Liaise with suppliers, customers and internal teams including Planning, Sales, Warehouse, Operations, Quality and Accounts.
- Proactively manage the purchasing inbox, order confirmations, price or material changes and outstanding orders.
- Maintain accurate order statuses in Solvitt so that the Planning team has clear and up-to-date supply information.
- Manage supplier order trackers, challenge delays and escalate supply risks where required.
- Own OTIF reporting across the top 30 supply chain, using delay codes to capture accurate reasons for delay.
- Support suppliers to meet agreed OTIF targets and raise service-provider non-conformances where required.
- Gather supplier performance data, produce dashboards and support continuous improvement across the supply chain.
- Use PPV and LD codes accurately to capture root-cause information relating to purchase orders, price changes and delays.
- Manage invoice queries with Accounts and suppliers, resolving issues relating to price, delivery, quality or order discrepancies.
- Own the consumables purchasing process and support efficiency improvements in this area.
- Support the Quality team with material or packaging non-conformances and track supplier responses.
- Source and re-source materials from the approved supply base to support continuity of supply and value for money.
- Ensure new suppliers follow the Bee Health supplier approval process.
- Track and report cost-saving activity and support procurement cost-down initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with company purchasing policies, procedures, health and safety requirements, and relevant legislation including the UK Anti-Bribery Act.
- Support the development of the Purchasing Team ESG process, including supplier scoring and maintaining up-to-date information.
About You
We are looking for someone who is organised, commercially aware and confident working with data, suppliers and internal stakeholders. You will be comfortable managing a varied workload, challenging issues where appropriate and supporting business-critical purchasing activity.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly.
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and system integrity.
- Good analytical, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
- Confident building relationships with suppliers, customers and colleagues across different departments.
- Highly organised, with strong time-management skills and the ability to prioritise effectively.
- Motivated self-starter who can work on their own initiative as well as part of a team.
- Confident using Microsoft Office, particularly Excel; ERP or MRP system experience would be advantageous.
- Able to handle sensitive or challenging situations professionally.
- Resilient under pressure and able to work to time-critical deadlines.
- Understanding of equality, diversity and professional workplace standards.
What We Offer
- Office-based role, Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm.
- Salary up to £29,000 per year, depending on experience.
- 5% annual bonus.
- The opportunity to develop within a busy purchasing function and work closely with suppliers and teams across the business.
Apply Now
If you are a proactive and organised individual with strong communication skills and an interest in purchasing and supply chain, we would like to hear from you.
Purchasing Department - Assistant Buyer in Bridlington employer: United 1 Laboratories
Join a well-established company with over 30 years of experience in the manufacturing sector, offering permanent roles that provide stability and growth. Our supportive work culture prioritises employee development, with opportunities for pay increases and bonuses, all while enjoying flexible shift patterns that promote work-life balance. Located in a thriving area, we are committed to creating a rewarding environment where you can build a meaningful career.
