Purchasing Officer

Natures Cargo; Ballarat; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discounts

On-site parking

EAP

Growth opportunities

Autonomy in role

Job summary

Natures Cargo in Ballarat, VIC, is seeking an organised Purchasing Officer to join our team on a fixed-term maternity leave replacement, 12 months. You will support purchasing across three sites, manage stock, place orders in Pronto, and keep ERP data accurate.

The role is Monday–Friday, 9:00–5:00, with focus on supplier coordination, stock levels, reporting and data analysis using AI tools as available. Experience with foodservice purchasing and Pronto ERP is highly regarded.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years’ experience as a Purchasing Officer in a foodservice setting.
• Experience negotiating with suppliers and managing terms and logistics.
• Proficient in ERP systems and MS Excel; Pronto experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitor stock levels and maintain minimum stock requirements.
• Obtain quotations from approved suppliers including freight costs.
• Raise and place purchase orders in Pronto for all sites.
• Track order dispatches and ETAs to ensure timely delivery.
• Liaise with internal departments on orders, stock and delivery dates.
• Maintain ERP data including pricing, codes and MOQs.
• Assist with delivery-related complaints and returns coordination.
• Prepare purchasing reports and cost analyses.
• Utilise data analytics to support inventory decisions.

Skills

Purchasing

Negotiation

ERP systems

Pronto

Excel

Communication

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Tools

Pronto ERP

ERP systems

Job description

Natures Cargo is an award-winning, family-owned and operated wholesale foodservice distributor with more than 40 years’ experience in the industry. With distribution centres in Ballarat, Thomastown and Traralgon, we supply over 7,500 frozen, refrigerated and dry goods to cafés, restaurants, caterers, healthcare providers and other foodservice businesses across metropolitan and regional Victoria.

We are looking for an organised and detail-oriented Purchasing Officer to join our Purchasing team based at our Ballarat office, reporting to the Purchasing Manager. This is a fixed-term, full-time maternity leave replacement role for 12 months, working Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.

In this role, you will support purchasing activities across our three sites by maintaining stock availability, coordinating supplier orders, updating ERP data and helping ensure products are delivered accurately and on time.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor stock levels to ensure minimum stock requirements are maintained
• Obtain quotations from approved suppliers, including freight costs
• Raise and place purchase orders in Pronto for all three sites
• Track order dispatches and ETAs to ensure timely delivery
• Liaise with internal departments to provide updates on orders, stock collections, due dates, shortages and other order-related matters
• Maintain and update ERP data, including pricing, product codes, unit quantities, minimum order quantities (MOQs) and other product information.
• Assist with customer delivery-related complaints (e.g. damaged goods, use-by/best-before dates, short or over deliveries, incorrect products), including coordinating returns and replacements
• Assist in managing inventory approaching use-by or best-before dates to minimise waste and maximise stock utilisation.
• Maintain accurate records of purchased products, delivery information and invoices
• Prepare purchasing reports, including trend analysis on seasonal products, shelf life and cost analysis
• Utilise AI-powered tools, data analytics and forecasting techniques to support purchasing decisions, optimise inventory levels and improve operational efficiency

Skills and Attributes

• Minimum 2 years’ experience as a Purchasing Officer (foodservice industry experience highly regarded)
• Proven ability to negotiate with both new and existing suppliers
• Strong understanding of terms and conditions, contractual arrangements and logistics processes
• Experience using ERP systems, with Pronto experience highly desirable
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal stakeholders and suppliers
• Ability to work autonomously as well as collaboratively within a team
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to multitask
• High attention to detail
• Strong problem-solving capabilitiesProfessional presentation and conduct at all times

Why Join Us?

• Staff discounts on a wide range of products
• Family-owned business with a strong reputation in Victoria
• Opportunities to learn and develop within a growing organisation
• Variety and autonomy in your day-to-day responsibilities
• Free on-site parking
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment.