Procurement Assistant

First Recruitment Group; Sandford Hill; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a motivated Procurement Assistant to ensure supplier performance. You will support Engineering, Quality, and Sourcing teams by managing supplier activities and facilitating logistics across the UK and Europe. Ideal candidates should have 1-3 years of procurement experience, strong communication skills, and a good understanding of logistics and procurement practices. This role offers an opportunity to build supplier relationships and handle key procurement challenges.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years’ experience in a Procurement / Purchasing role.
• Understanding of logistics, ideally with import experience.
• Knowledge of procurement best practices and industry trends.

Responsibilities

• Support Engineering & Quality functions in expediting documentation.
• Coordinate supplier deviation requests and assess impact on targets.
• Process Non-Conformances in the appropriate systems.

Skills

Procurement experience

Logistics understanding

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Microsoft Office proficiency

SAP knowledge

Job description

Job Details

Position: Procurement Assistant

Company: First Recruitment Group

Location: Stafford, Staffordshire (Stoke)

Working Hours: 08:00 – 16:30 (On‑site, 1 day working from home possible)

Contract: Contract/Full Time

Posted: Jan 14th 2026

Closes: Feb 14th 2026

Role Summary

Be the driving force behind supplier performance—keeping quality high, deliveries on track, and procurement moving across the UK and Europe.

The Procurement Assistant will support Engineering, Quality, and Sourcing teams by coordinating supplier‑related activities, managing non‑conformances, expediting documentation and materials, and supporting import and logistics processes. The role requires strong coordination, supplier interaction, and attention to quality, delivery, and cost targets.

Key Responsibilities

• Actively support Engineering & Quality functions in expediting critical documentation.
• Coordinate supplier deviation requests from specifications (NCP), assessing impact on Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC) targets.
• Process Non‑Conformances (NC) in the appropriate systems and maintain Smartsheets.
• Coordinate all NCP/NCR activities and ensure timely return of material to suppliers.
• Assist the Procurement Lead in expediting the return of repaired components.
• Support the Sourcing team with Claim Management (COPQ) related to supplier delays or quality issues.
• Support issuing of contractual letters to suppliers in line with quality issues.
• Monitor supplier progress and build relationships, including supplier visits when required.
• Complete the online Import Process for all imports where the company is responsible for customs clearance.

Desired Profile

• 1–3 years’ experience in a Procurement / Purchasing role (direct materials preferred).
• Understanding of logistics, ideally with import experience.
• Knowledge of procurement best practices and industry trends.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and procurement systems (SAP).
• Strong communication, influencing, and networking skills.
• Commercial awareness (payment terms, warranty, liquidated damages).
• Dynamic, flexible, and proactive problem‑solver.
• Confident relationship builder with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to present information clearly and respond to questions at all organisational levels.
• Willingness to travel across Europe as required.

Performance Measurement

• Accuracy and timeliness of reporting.
• Adherence to global processes and IT tools for expediting.
• Compliance with integration principles, both in spirit and letter.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunities employer and strive to increase the diversity of our workforce.