Purchasing Assistant

Confidential; Hatfield; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Confidential in Hatfield, Hertfordshire is seeking a Purchasing Assistant to support the purchasing and supply chain functions, processing purchase orders, coordinating with suppliers and handling day-to-day procurement activities.

This is a 6-month fixed-term contract, working three days a week, with the Purchasing Assistant reporting to the Tactical Purchasing Manager and collaborating with the operations team to ensure accuracy, timely delivery, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain administration.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation abilities.
• Good numerical and communication skills; comfortable with supplier liaison.

Responsibilities

• Process requisitions and raise purchase orders with accurate records.
• Monitor orders, confirm delivery dates and costs, report discrepancies.
• Liaise with suppliers to progress orders and resolve queries.
• Assist with supplier setup, maintain records and compliance docs (ISO).
• Support NPI, ECO and PPAP requirements.
• Assist with invoices, import activities and shipping schedules.
• Maintain purchasing systems and KPI reporting; contribute to process improvements.

Skills

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Numerical skills

Supplier liaison

Communication skills

MS Excel

ERP/MRP experience

Education

GCSEs in Maths & English

A-levels or equivalent

Tools

ERP/MRP system

Job description

A Purchasing Assistant is sought to join an innovative business in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, providing essential support to the purchasing and supply chain function, ensuring the efficient processing of purchase orders, supplier coordination and day-to-day procurement activities.

This is a 6 month Fixed-term contract position working 3 days a week.

The Purchasing Assistant, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, will work closely with the Tactical Purchasing Manager and wider operations team, supporting purchasing administration, supplier communications and supply chain processes to ensure accuracy, efficiency and timely delivery.

Responsibilities include:

• Process purchase requisitions and raise purchase orders, ensuring accurate records and timely processing
• Monitor purchase order acknowledgements, confirm delivery dates and costings, and communicate any discrepancies to the purchasing team
• Liaise with suppliers to progress outstanding orders, monitor delivery schedules and resolve purchasing queries
• Support new supplier setup, maintain supplier records and manage compliance documentation, including ISO accreditation and supplier declarations
• Assist with NPI activities, engineering change orders (ECO) and PPAP requirements
• Support invoice queries, import activities and shipping schedule monitoring
• Maintain purchasing systems, support supply chain KPI reporting and assist with continuous improvement of purchasing processes

The Purchasing Assistant will have the following key skills:

• GCSEs or equivalent in Maths and English, with A-levels, BTEC or a relevant qualification advantageous
• Previous administrative or customer service experience, ideally within purchasing, procurement or supply chain
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to prioritise workloads effectively
• Good numerical, analytical and communication skills, with confidence liaising with suppliers and internal stakeholders
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Outlook and Word, with ERP/MRP system experience advantageous
• A proactive, reliable and team-focused approach, with an interest in developing procurement knowledge and working towards a CIPS qualification