Purchasing Assistant

Universal Business Team; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading furnishing solutions provider in the UK seeks a Purchasing Assistant to support operations and sales teams. The role involves managing orders with suppliers, ensuring timely delivery, and maintaining pricing data. Ideal candidates have strong organisational skills, experience with fabric or furniture procurement, and Excel proficiency. This position offers a competitive salary up to £35,000 and numerous benefits including career progression, professional development, and a collaborative team environment.

Benefits

Salary up to £35,000 (DOE)

23 days holiday + bank holidays

Bonus scheme

Career progression

Professional development support

Supportive and collaborative team environment

Qualifications

• Strong admin and organisational skills with a high attention to detail.
• Confident communicator - internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience working with fabric, furniture, upholstery or fit-out products.
• Comfortable with margin calculations and product customization.
• Excel proficiency (must know formulas, % calcs etc.).
• Able to manage multiple suppliers and lead times effectively.
• Knowledge of NetSuite or similar ERP system is a strong advantage.

Responsibilities

• Place purchase orders with UK and international suppliers.
• Track and update orders, escalating delays or cost increases.
• Maintain and update pricing data within NetSuite.
• Monitor costs and margins; flag discrepancies or risks.
• Liaise with suppliers to confirm lead times, specs, and alternatives.
• Organise inbound transport and international shipping.
• Manage fire treatment and fabric handling processes.
• Coordinate third-party finish treatments and QC checks.

Skills

Admin and organisational skills

Communication skills

Experience with fabric, furniture, upholstery

Excel proficiency

Supplier management

Tools

NetSuite

Job description

Overview

The Purchasing Assistant will support the operations and sales teams by ensuring that goods are purchased, tracked and delivered on time, at the right quality and price. This is a critical role that will influence project profitability, supplier coordination, and delivery outcomes. Experience in furniture, fabric or fit-out procurement is highly desirable, and confidence working with custom sizes, pricing and finishes is key. Over time, the successful candidate will contribute to pricing strategy, supply chain insights, and project-winning procurement advice.

Key Responsibilities

• Place purchase orders with UK and international suppliers
• Track and update orders, escalating delays or cost increases
• Maintain and update pricing data within NetSuite (CRM)
• Monitor costs and margins; flag discrepancies or risks to Operations Director
• Liaise with suppliers to confirm lead times, specs, and alternatives
• Order samples for the London showroom
• Set up new suppliers and manage invoice/P.O. alignment
• Organise inbound transport and international shipping
• Manage fire treatment and fabric handling processes
• Coordinate third-party finish treatments and QC checks
• Support ongoing reporting and cost control

Requirements

• Strong admin and organisational skills with a high attention to detail
• Confident communicator - internal and external stakeholders
• Experience working with fabric, furniture, upholstery or fit-out products
• Comfortable with margin calculations and product customization
• Excel proficiency (must know formulas, % calcs etc.)
• Able to manage multiple suppliers and lead times effectively
• Knowledge of NetSuite or similar ERP system is a strong advantage
• Adaptable, resilient, solutions-driven, and team-oriented

We are proud to be recruiting on behalf of a forerunner in the hospitality furnishing industry. They deliver design-led furniture solutions for restaurants, hotels, bars, universities, workspaces, and commercial interiors. With offices in the UK, Italy, France, and the USA, they are at the forefront of international hospitality furniture supply.

Benefits

• Salary up to £35,000 (DOE)
• 23 days holiday + bank holidays
• Bonus scheme
• Career progression within a growing international company
• Professional development support
• Supportive and collaborative team environment