Purchasing Administrator

Impact Food Group; Woking; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading school catering provider based in Woking is seeking a Purchasing Administrator to coordinate and manage purchasing activities. The ideal candidate should have strong attention to detail, excellent organisational and negotiation skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Experience in purchasing or supply chain administration is a plus. Join a team making a positive impact on students' lives across the UK.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing or supply chain administration is advantageous.
• Knowledge of purchasing principles and inventory management is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and track purchase orders for goods and services.
• Monitor supplier performance and resolve delivery issues.
• Maintain accurate records of purchases and invoices.
• Liaise with suppliers for quotes and order confirmations.
• Assist with sourcing new vendors.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving abilities

Team player

Education

Experience in purchasing or supply chain administration

Knowledge of purchasing principles

Job description

Overview

Purchasing Administrator
Woking
9 Month FTC

Impact Food Group

At Impact Food Group, we’re more than just a school caterer. We’re on a mission to create a positive food culture and help more students enjoy healthier, better-quality food. Making a positive social impact is at the heart of everything we do. We’re constantly learning, evolving, and improving — every way, every day.

Through our industry-leading brands — Innovate, Hutchison, Cucina, and Chapter One — we cater for over 550,000 students and operate in more than 900 schools nationwide, growing every year.

We’re now looking for a talented and highly organised Purchasing Administrator to join our Procurement Team and play a vital role in supporting our business.

Guided by our values, integrity, bold, impactful, integrity, and community; you will help us shape a workplace and culture we can all be proud of.

What You’ll Be Doing

As Purchasing Administrator you will coordinate and produce the bid or proposal response document. Responsibilities include the introduction and implementation of all necessary document version control procedures and processes. This role requires forensic levels of attention to detail and an ability to work under pressure and to demanding deadlines.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, issue, and track purchase orders for goods and services.
• Monitor supplier performance, delivery schedules, and resolve issues (delays, shortages, or discrepancies).
• Maintain accurate records of purchases, pricing, invoices, and delivery information.
• Liaise with suppliers to obtain quotes, negotiate prices, and confirm order details.
• Assist with sourcing new vendors and maintaining approved supplier lists.
• Support the procurement team with administrative tasks, reports, and documentation.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and purchasing procedures.
• Prepare regular purchasing and inventory reports for management.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Ability to multitask and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Good negotiation and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and procurement/ERP systems (desired but not essential as training will be provided).
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Team player with a proactive approach.

Education & Experience

• Previous experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain administration is an advantage.
• Knowledge of purchasing principles and inventory management is beneficial.

If you’re a collaborative, solution-focused procurement professional who thrives in a busy and purposeful environment, we’d love to hear from you. Join us and be part of a team making a genuine difference in the lives of students across the UK.