Graduate Procurement Assistant

Vertical Advantage; England; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading FMCG business in West Sussex is seeking a Graduate Procurement Assistant to support their procurement and sourcing function. You will handle purchase orders, coordinate suppliers, and manage import documentation. The role requires strong organizational skills and an interest in procurement or supply chain operations, making it a fantastic opportunity for graduates looking to start their careers. Benefits include a competitive salary and full on-site setup.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Benefits

Responsibilities

• Raise and amend purchase orders accurately.
• Monitor daily and weekly inbound arrivals.
• Verify import documentation for compliance.
• Support supplier sourcing activities.
• Maintain weekly supplier performance reports.
• Track stock levels and coordinate sample requests.

Skills

Strong organisational skills

Excellent communication skills

Proactive problem-solving

Attention to detail

Interest in procurement

Experience with SAP

Job description

Job Title: Graduate Procurement Assistant

Location: West Sussex

Salary: £25,000 – £30,000 + Benefits

Setup: Fully On-site (5 days per week), 7:30am – 4:00pm

Vertical has partnered with a leading FMCG business in the food sector that is recruiting for a Graduate Procurement Assistant to support their expanding procurement and sourcing function. This role offers an excellent entry point into a fast-paced FMCG environment, giving you hands‑on exposure across procurement, supplier sourcing, and supply chain operations.

As a key member of the team, you’ll work closely with suppliers, internal stakeholders and logistics partners to ensure the smooth delivery of the overall procurement and sourcing process. This is a fantastic opportunity for a graduate looking to build a long‑term career in procurement with clear development and progression.

Key Responsibilities

Purchase Order Management

• Raise and amend purchase orders accurately and promptly.
• Administer and track loading advices, ensuring all procurement information is current and correct.

Supplier & Logistics Coordination

• Monitor daily and weekly inbound arrivals.
• Communicate any variances or risks to procurement, supply chain and internal teams.

Import Documentation

• Gather, verify and challenge import documentation to ensure compliance.
• Take part in training to broaden your expertise in procurement, sourcing and import processes.

Supplier Sourcing & Approval

• Support supplier sourcing activities and assist with supplier approval workflows.
• Work with Technical, Quality and Finance teams to maintain accurate supplier records.

Supplier Performance Reporting

• Maintain weekly supplier performance reports and support monthly procurement reviews.

Inventory & Sample Management

• Track stock levels and highlight shortages or surpluses.
• Coordinate sample requests to support sourcing and NPD activity.

About You

• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• A proactive problem‑solver with great attention to detail.
• Interest in procurement, sourcing or supply chain operations.
• Experience with SAP or similar systems is an advantage.
• Comfortable managing documentation and dealing with multiple stakeholders.