Purchasing Assistant

Pets Choice Limited; Blackburn; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Pets Choice Limited in Blackburn is seeking a proactive Purchasing Assistant to support day-to-day procurement activities and act as an expeditor, ensuring smooth flow between departments.

You will input purchase orders, monitor stock levels, assist in production scheduling, generate procurement reports, and maintain accurate records, developing in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing, procurement or administrative roles.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Able to use Excel for data entry and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Procurement Support: Assist the procurement team with daily operational tasks including supplier communications, documentation, and follow-ups.
• Order Processing: Input purchase orders accurately into the system, chase and confirm delivery dates and ensure records are updated.
• Inventory Management: Monitor stock levels, support inventory reconciliation, and help maintain optimal inventory level.
• Production Schedules: Work closely with production planning to ensure goods are delivered on time for the plan.
• Data Reporting & Analysis: Generate procurement reports; assist in analysing purchasing trends and supplier performance.
• Administrative Duties & System Maintenance: Perform general administrative tasks such as filing, document control, and scheduling meetings; ensure procurement systems are up to date.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Telephone communication

Willing to learn in Buying

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Company Overview

Pets Choice is an ever-evolving FMCG branded pet products manufacturer and supplier. As one of the fastest-growing producers in the pet-care industry, we’re committed to elevating our large, diverse portfolio of trusted brands, including Webbox, Bob Martin, Felight, Vets Kitchen, Hownd and Meatiful.

Our products range from food, treats, toys, accessories, and healthcare, giving us a uniquely broad presence across the pet-care landscape. We manufacture and supply into a wide range of channels including Grocery, Discounter, Wholesale, eCommerce, Pet Specialist, and Export markets, ensuring our brands reach pet owners across the UK and beyond.

Role Overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who is eager for a career in procurement and motivated by continuous learning and development. This role is ideal for someone who is proactive, organised, and detail-oriented, with a strong interest in administration, purchasing and supply chain operations.

As a Purchasing Assistant, you will support our Manufacturing Senior Buyer in the smooth execution of day-to-day procurement activities. You will also act as an expeditor, helping to ensure operational efficiency by coordinating the flow of work between departments and tracking progress through each stage of the process. This position is well-suited to someone with strong administrative skills, a keen eye for data accuracy, and a desire to grow within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Main Responsibilities

Procurement Support

• Assist the procurement team with daily operational tasks including supplier communications, documentation, and follow-ups.

Order Processing

• Input purchase orders accurately into the system, chase and confirm delivery dates and ensure all records are updated accordingly.

Inventory Management:

• Monitor stock levels, support inventory reconciliation, and help maintain optimal inventory level.
• Track orders and ensure they are fulfilled in a timely manner and identify and mitigate potential risks in the supply chain.
• Book haulage pickups according to schedule

Production Schedules:

• Work closely with production planning to ensure all goods delivered on time for the plan.

Data Reporting & Analysis:

• Generate and maintain procurement reports; assist in analysing purchasing trends and supplier performance.
• Support the team in interpreting procurement data to identify cost-saving opportunities and process improvements.

Administrative Duties & System Maintenance:

• Perform general administrative tasks such as filing, document control, and scheduling meetings.
• Ensure procurement systems and databases are kept up to date with accurate information.

Skills, Qualifications & Experience

• Previous experience in a purchasing, procurement, or administrative role
• Strong attention to detail
• Organisational skills
• Competent with Microsoft Excel
• Comfortable communicating by telephone
• Eager to learn and develop a career in Buying