Procurement Assistant

Southern Co-op; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused co-operative in Portsmouth is looking for a Procurement Assistant to support the sourcing and management of products. Responsibilities include planning purchases and negotiating with suppliers. Ideal candidates should possess strong communication and organisational skills, with IT proficiency in Excel. Desired qualifications include previous buying experience and a background in retail or hospitality. This role offers a hybrid working model with numerous perks to support employee wellbeing.

Benefits

Hybrid working - 2 days a week in the office

Free onsite parking

20% colleague discount

Health & dental cash plans

Life insurance & NEST pension

Training & development opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills are essential to build relationships.
• Excellent organisational skills required for managing workload.
• Previous buying or retail/hospitality experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support with planning, sourcing, and purchasing products.
• Negotiate cost prices and lead times with suppliers.
• Review supplier performance and manage quality issues.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Excellent organisational skills

IT literate, particularly in Excel

Job description

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Procurement Assistant to play a key role in supporting the selection, sourcing, and management of products that drive sales and reflect our brand values.

What you'll get

• Hybrid working - 2 days a week in the office
• Free onsite parking
• 20% colleague discount
• Health & dental cash plans
• 24 / 7 virtual GP & fitness discounts via Aviva Digicare+ Workplace
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Life insurance & NEST pension
• Financial wellbeing tools & share incentive scheme
• Cycle-to-work & Electric Vehicle schemes
• Training & development opportunities

What to expect

• Support with planning, sourcing, and purchasing products.
• Negotiate cost prices / added value, and lead times with suppliers.
• Ensure smooth transition of any changes and gather feedback.
• Review supplier performance and assist in managing quality issues, returns, and discrepancies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

What we're looking for

• Previous buying experience - desirable.
• Retail or hospitality experience - desirable.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships - essential.
• Excellent organisational skills and confident managing high-volume workload to tight deadlines - essential.
• IT literate, particularly in Excel - essential.

About us

We’re an independent Co-op, operating across the south of England running convenience food stores, funeral homes, crematoria, natural / woodland burial grounds and a Starbucks coffee franchise. We’re owned by our ,+ members, have over 4, colleagues and a purpose of working together for the benefit of our communities. We have a commitment to sustainable business and a promise to provide a fair, fresh approach, for all. Become part of the family who are proud to serve local communities and put people first.