Purchasing Assistant

Reed; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension scheme

Generous annual leave entitlement

Employee Assistance Programme

Training and development opportunities

Career progression pathways

Job summary

Reed is seeking a detail‑oriented Purchasing & Finance Assistant to join our Bratton Clovelly team. The role blends purchasing duties with finance tasks, offering training and development across two core functions.

Ideal candidates are at the start of their career or have some admin, purchasing or finance experience. The position provides a supportive environment with clear progression opportunities and full training.

Qualifications

• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good numerical and analytical skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Good Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Ability to commute to Bratton Clovelly.
• GCSEs Maths and English at Grade C/4+.
• Further education or relevant qualifications in Business, Finance, Procurement or Supply Chain advantageous.
• Relevant practical experience will also be considered.

Responsibilities

• Raise and process purchase orders, ensuring records remain accurate and up to date.
• Liaise with suppliers regarding pricing, availability, deliveries and order status.
• Obtain supplier quotations and support purchasing decisions.
• Monitor outstanding orders and follow up on delayed deliveries.
• Maintain supplier records and procurement documentation.
• Reconcile purchase orders, delivery notes and supplier invoices.
• Support inventory monitoring and stock replenishment.
• Resolve supplier queries and escalation where required.
• Produce purchasing reports and management information.
• Work closely with production teams to ensure timely supply of goods.
• Process supplier invoices accurately and in a timely manner.
• Match invoices against purchase orders and delivery documentation.
• Reconcile supplier statements and investigate discrepancies.
• Liaise with suppliers regarding invoice and account queries.
• Maintain accurate supplier account records.
• Support month-end purchase ledger activities.
• Assist with general finance administration and reporting.

Skills

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Numerical skills

Communication

Excel

Prioritisation

Proactive

Team player

Commuting to Bratton Clovelly

Education

GCSEs Maths & English (Grade C/4+)

Business/Finance or Procurement qualification advantageous

Tools

Excel

ERP / MRP systems

Job description

Purchasing & Finance Assistant

Location: Bratton Clovelly
Salary: Circa £27,000 per annum (DOE)
Reporting To: Purchasing Manager & Finance Manager

Are you highly organised, detail-oriented and looking to build a career in purchasing and finance? We're seeking a Purchasing & Finance Assistant to join our friendly and supportive team.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone at the start of their career, or with some administrative, purchasing or finance experience, who is looking to develop their skills across two key business functions. Full training and ongoing support will be provided.

The role is split approximately 60% purchasing and 40% finance, offering a varied workload and excellent career development opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Purchasing (60%)

• Raise and process purchase orders, ensuring records remain accurate and up to date.
• Liaise with suppliers regarding pricing, availability, deliveries and order status.
• Obtain supplier quotations and support purchasing decisions.
• Monitor outstanding orders and follow up on delayed deliveries.
• Maintain supplier records and procurement documentation.
• Reconcile purchase orders, delivery notes and supplier invoices.
• Support inventory monitoring and stock replenishment.
• Resolve supplier queries and escalation where required.
• Produce purchasing reports and management information.
• Work closely with production teams to ensure timely supply of goods.

Finance (40%)

• Support the day-to-day purchase ledger function.
• Process supplier invoices accurately and in a timely manner.
• Match invoices against purchase orders and delivery documentation.
• Reconcile supplier statements and investigate discrepancies.
• Liaise with suppliers regarding invoice and account queries.
• Maintain accurate supplier account records.
• Support month-end purchase ledger activities.
• Assist with general finance administration and reporting.

About You

Essential Skills

• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good numerical and analytical skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Good Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Ability to prioritise workload and met deadlines.
• Positive, flexible and proactive approach.
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills.
• Team player with a reliable and professional attitude.
• Ability to commute to Bratton Clovelly.

Desirable Experience

• Purchasing, procurement, finance, accounts or administrative experience.
• Purchase ledger or invoice processing experience.
• Experience using ERP, MRP, procurement or accounting systems.
• Understanding of purchasing or supply chain processes.
• Intermediate Excel skills.

Qualifications

• GCSEs (or equivalent) including Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above.
• Further education or relevant qualifications in Business, Finance, Procurement or Supply Chain are advantageous but not essential.
• Relevant practical experience will also be considered.

Benefits

• Company pension scheme.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Career progression pathways.
• Ongoing support from experienced Purchasing and Finance professionals.

This is an ideal role for someone looking to establish or develop a career within purchasing, procurement, finance or accounts. Previous experience is beneficial but not essential, as full training will be provided for the right candidate.