Assistant Buyer - 6-9 Month Fixed Term Contract

Horizon Search & Selection Ltd; Royston; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Horizon Search & Selection Ltd is seeking a Buying Assistant to support the Supply Chain team. The role offers a flexible 6-9 month fixed-term contract, with both part-time and full-time hours available. You will manage the purchase of goods and services, ensuring continuous supply and resolving issues.

The ideal candidate will have experience in a similar role, excellent negotiation and communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to build strong supplier relationships.

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar role within a technical manufacturing environment.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and influencing skills.
• Analytical and numerically astute with strong problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Ensure supply of goods and materials for production.
• Manage supplier and stakeholder relationships.
• Liaise to resolve quality-related issues.
• Raise and manage purchase orders as needed.
• Expedite deliveries and maintain supplier database.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Problem-solving abilities

Job description

Job Overview

We are currently seeking a Buying Assistant to join our client. The role is initially offered on a 6 – 9 month fixed‑term contract and can be considered as either full or part‑time hours. The role is based on site in rural Cambridgeshire, and the salary is negotiable depending on experience.

The company is a UK‑based company specialising in the development and manufacture of advanced gas detection instruments and sensors. With over 35 years of experience, the company is renowned for its expertise in Photo‑ionisation Detection (PID) technology. Its product range of VOC and gas sensors are deployed across a broad spectrum of industries including Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Air Quality, Pharmaceutical and Manufacturing, supporting its mission to protect lives and preserve the environment.

The role is a varied and key supporting position; you will support the Supply Chain team with the purchase of goods, materials and services to ensure the company’s operational needs are met, taking into account price, quality and delivery while ensuring continuity of supply at all times. We are seeking a confident and enthusiastic individual with a good level of commercial acumen, experience and professionalism to support the delivery of a diverse portfolio of existing and new products, the highest quality and value. The successful applicant will be self‑motivated, a team player with a positive outlook, a fast learner with high levels of accuracy, attention to detail and outstanding communication skills.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure continuous supply of required goods and materials to production and communicate/elevate any supply problems that may pose a risk or impact on business operations.
• Manage problems and schedule changes and ensure changes are reflected with the ERP systems.
• Effectively manage and control supplier and stakeholder relationships both internally and externally.
• Liaise internally and externally to support resolution of quality related issues and problems.
• Raise repeat and ad‑hoc purchase orders to support production requirements.
• Purchase other items as required by purchasing requisitions (e.g. marketing items, stationary items, equipment etc.).
• Receipting order confirmation and checking off against purchase orders, keeping the internal system up to date.
• Expedite outstanding deliveries with suppliers and report on order progress.
• Update supplier database as required; ensure new supplies are recorded and registered.
• Deal with enquiries from suppliers and internal team members and manage purchasing emails.
• Identify and research potential new suppliers, undertaking due diligence of suppliers.
• Build, maintain and manage supplier relationships.
• Provide support in the reporting of KPIs.
• Actively participate in supplier performance reviews.
• Deliver briefs, updates and reports as required.

Candidate Profile

• Previous experience within a similar role developing stakeholder relationships within a complex technical manufacturing environment.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and influencing skills.
• Analytical, numerically astute with good problem identification and solution abilities.
• Keen attention to detail and accuracy.alert('xss');
• Experience in adding value, reducing costs and making business and process improvements.
• Developing technical knowledge and understanding of the manufacturing processes, commodity groups, components and supply chain management.
• Ideally, experience of developing and managing overseas suppliers.

Details

The role is initially offered on a 6‑month fixed‑term contract and both part‑time and full‑time hours can be considered.