Assistant Buyer

Inw Group; Bridlington; On-site; GBP 17,400 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

INW Bee Health in Bridlington is seeking an Assistant Buyer. This entry-level role includes full training; you will become an ambassador for our vision and interact with suppliers and internal teams to manage MRP-driven purchasing and OTIF targets.

As you gain experience, you will handle POs, order schedules, invoicing queries, indirect procurement up to £10,000, and data-driven reporting to support continuous improvement across the supply chain.

Qualifications

• Entry-level role with full training provided.
• Ability to raise and manage purchase orders and MRP requirements.
• Experience with data codes (PPV/LD codes) and OTIF reporting is a plus.
• Good communication with internal teams and suppliers is essential.
• Attention to data accuracy and process compliance (UK guidelines) is required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and raise POs and order schedules per MRP.
• Manage purchasing inbox, confirm POs, and handle price/material changes.
• Own OTIF reporting and chase unconfirmed POs with suppliers/warehouse.
• Track supplier progress and update LD/PPV codes for pricing/issues.
• Place indirect POs up to £10,000 following DOA; escalate higher values.
• Handle invoicing queries with Accounts and suppliers; forward invoices to Accounts Payable.
• Support Quality with non-conformances and supplier on-boarding.
• Source and re-source materials to maintain continuity and value for money.

Skills

Critical thinking

Interpersonal skills

Self-motivated

MS Office

Excel

Data analytics

Time management

Verbal & written communication

Problem solving

Tools

Solvitt system

MS Office

ERP system

Job description

INW Bee Health
Lancaster Road
Carnaby
Bridlington, YKS YO15 3QY, GBR

Description

This is an entry level job, therefore full training will be provided, once fully trained you will be able to:

The Assistant Buyer is an ambassador of our vision and values and demonstrates a professional, consistent approach to all supplier and internal stakeholder interactions.

Purchasing Operations & MRP

• Prepare and raise purchase orders (POs) and order schedules in line with MRP requirements for raw materials.
• Support the Buyer with scheduling of key materials and packaging components and ordering through MRP.
• Take ownership of the customer-supplied MRP, ensuring accuracy and timely updates.
• Liaise directly with customers regarding customer-supplied materials, ensuring these materials are approved and delivered in time for production.
• Liaise with the Buyer/Senior Buyer and internal teams (Planning, Sales, Warehouse, Operations) regarding MRP requirements and supply status.

Inbox, Order Confirmations & System Accuracy

• Proactively manage the purchasing inbox, confirm POs, and manage price or material changes, challenging these where required.
• Use accurate confirmation statuses on the Solvitt system to reflect each stage of the order process and ensure the Planning team has the most up-to-date information.
• Take ownership of the Outstanding Orders report; chase unconfirmed POs with suppliers and/or the Warehouse team.
• Review supplier order trackers, ensure information is reflected accurately in the system, and challenge any delays.
• Solely manage OTIF reporting across the top 30 supply chain, utilising LD codes to capture reasons for delay.
• Assist suppliers to achieve a minimum OTIF of 94.5% and communicate the 96.5% target; raise service-provider non-conformances where scores fall below 94.5%.
• Gather supplier data and produce performance dashboards; contribute to a performance-measured supply chain showing continuous improvement.

Data, Codes & Root-Cause Capture

• Utilise PPV codes and LD codes to capture accurate information relating to POs (e.g., reasons for delays or price increases); ensure any price increase is supported by appropriate evidence.

Indirect Procurement & Projects

• Place orders for indirect goods and liaise with stakeholders across the business on indirect projects and requirements.
• Support the Senior Buyer with the scope and execution of indirect projects.
• Raise indirect POs through the MRP system up to £10,000 following the appropriate Delegation of Authority (DOA) process; discuss any indirect orders above this value with the Senior Buyer prior to raising.

Financials & Invoicing

• Manage invoice queries with the Accounts team and suppliers; contact suppliers to resolve price, quality, delivery, or invoice issues as needed.
• Forward any invoices sent to the Purchasing team to Accounts Payable for processing.
• Own the consumables purchasing process and support the Senior Buyer in driving efficiencies in this area.

Quality & Non-Conformances

• Support the Quality team in raising and sending non-conformances (materials or packaging) to the supply chain and track supplier responses.

Sourcing & Re-sourcing

• Source and re-source materials from the trusted supply base as required to ensure continuity of supply and value for money.
• During the sourcing process ensure that any new suppliers follow the Bee Health supplier approval process.
• Track and report on cost-saving activities; support procurement cost-down initiatives.
• Prepare reports and updates; monitor and advise on issues that present risk or opportunity to the organisation.
• Act as an interface between suppliers and relevant departments on purchasing processes, new projects, and activities; communicate any supply problems that may impact the business to the Purchasing Manager.
• Work closely with Sales and Planning for continuous improvement and wider business benefits.

Compliance, Ethics, Health & Safety

• Ensure compliance with company guidelines, purchasing policies and procedures—including the UK Anti-Bribery Act—during supplier negotiations and contract award processes.
• Adhere to health, safety, and environmental policies and procedures to ensure the wellbeing of self, staff, and visitors.
• Support the development of the Purchasing Team ESG process including implementation of a scoring matrix and how this process is implemented during the supplier on-boarding process and keeping the information up to date.

Person specification

Knowledge & Skills

• Critical thinker and problem solver; logical and able to plan ahead.
• Builds relationships quickly; exceptional interpersonal skills to resolve complex issues, fostering strong relationships with both internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Highly motivated self-starter; able to work on own initiative, occasionally remote from the team.
• Excellent computer skills (MS Office & Excel). ERP experience preferred but not essential.
• Experience in data analytics; ownership of data integrity and accuracy.
• Strong time-management and organisational skills.

Experience / Technical Skills

• Effective organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and, where appropriate, delegate.
• Analytical and problem-solving capability; able to advise on suitable solutions to meet organisational needs.
• Effective verbal and written communication; confident presenter.
• Understanding of equality of opportunity and diversity.
• Ability to handle difficult/sensitive situations professionally.
• Ability to manage, motivate, and develop people.
• Resilient under pressure; able to meet a varied, time-critical workload.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams on indirect projects.
• Knowledge of when to prioritise business-critical objectives to prevent downtime in production.

Office Based: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

Salary: Up to £29,000 depending on experience