Assistant Buyer

Reed; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays

On-site shower & changing facilities,

Parking

Bike Purchase Scheme

Car share scheme

Early finish on Fridays

Job summary

Reed is seeking an Assistant Buyer in Cambridgeshire to join our fast-paced procurement team. This role requires immediate start and is offered as a fixed-term contract of 6–9 months, onsite. You will manage purchase orders, liaise with suppliers, and support process improvements.

Key duties include SAP PO creation, supplier communication, and ensuring compliance with specifications. The role offers on-site facilities and a collaborative environment suitable for developing sourcing skills.

Qualifications

• Previous buying experience with moulded plastics, PCBA components, cables, and off-the-shelf electrical items.
• Experience dealing with overseas suppliers (Europe/Asia).
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to work in an agile environment.
• Flexibility and willingness to learn and contribute to process improvements.
• Good Excel skills; SAP ERP preferred.
• Understanding of compliance and meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritise and work in a team.

Responsibilities

• Place purchase orders via SAP ERP and supplier portals.
• Monitor the purchasing inbox daily and action items as required.
• Expedite purchase orders and maintain communication with suppliers.
• Ensure PO demand and specifications are understood before actioning.
• Liaise with other departments, providing feedback and status updates.
• Ensure order placement aligns with specifications and compliance is communicated.
• Manage the collation of technical drawings to send to suppliers.
• Escalate any PO or supplier/quality issues to relevant stakeholders.
• Enter supplier acknowledgements and other information in SAP ERP.

Skills

Buying experience

Overseas suppliers

Commercial awareness

Agile environment

Flexibility

Attention to detail

Prioritisation

Tools

SAP ERP

Excel

Job description

Assistant Buyer (Immediate Start Required)

• Annual Salary: up to GBP35k per annum
• Location: Cambridgeshire
• Job Type: Fixed-term contract, Full-time/Part-time (onsite)
• Contract tenor: 6 - 9 months

Join a leading company in the gas and leak detection industry, with over 37 years of experience as part of a dynamic team known for exceptional product quality and customer satisfaction.

Day-to-day of the role:

• Support the Supply Chain Team in daily operations including placing purchase orders via SAP ERP system and supplier portals such as Farnell/Amazon.
• Monitor the purchasing "Inbox" daily and action items as required.
• Expedite purchase orders and maintain effective communication with suppliers.
• Ensure purchase order demand and suggestions are fully understood before actioning.
• Liaise with other departments, providing feedback and status updates as needed.
• Ensure that order placement aligns with specifications and compliance requirements are communicated correctly.
• Manage the collation of technical drawings to send to suppliers.
• Escalate any purchase order or supplier/quality related issues to relevant stakeholders.
• Enter supplier acknowledgements and other information in the SAP ERP system.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Previous buying experience, ideally with knowledge of commodities such as moulded plastics, PCBA components, cables, and off-the-shelf electrical items.
• Experience dealing with overseas suppliers (Europe/Asia).
• Strong commercial awareness and comfortable working in an agile environment.
• Flexibility, willingness to listen, learn, and be part of process improvements.
• Good Excel skills; some ERP/MRP awareness is essential, SAP ERP preferred.
• Understanding of compliance importance and meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritise effectively and work as part of a wider team.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays, (pro rata for FTC position)
• On-site shower & changing facilities, and parking.
• Bike Purchase Scheme and Car share scheme.
• Early finish on Fridays.

Working Pattern:

• Monday to Thursday: 08:30 - 17:00
• Friday: 08:30 - 15:45