Purchasing Assistant

Huntress; Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Huntress is seeking a Junior Purchasing Assistant on a 3-month contract with hybrid working to join its procurement team. The role focuses on developing early-career professionals in purchasing, from raising orders to supplier coordination and research.

This is an excellent stepping stone for someone with limited purchasing experience to grow within procurement, while contributing to efficient, cost-effective purchasing aligned with business needs.

Qualifications

• Some experience within purchasing, procurement, buying or supply chain.
• Experience raising purchase orders or processing orders.
• Exposure to communicating with suppliers and requesting quotations.
• Understanding of basic purchasing processes.
• Strong attention to detail and good organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Raising and processing purchase orders accurately.
• Requesting and comparing supplier quotations.
• Liaising with suppliers regarding orders, deliveries and queries.
• Supporting supplier research and purchasing decisions.
• Following up on outstanding orders and resolving issues.
• Maintaining accurate purchasing records and supporting internal stakeholders.

Skills

Raising purchase orders

Supplier liaison

Quotation handling

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Stakeholder communication

Proactive learning

Job description

Purchasing Assistant

Initially a 3 month contract with the possibility of moving into a maternity cover.

Hybrid Working Available

Are you looking to build a career in purchasing and procurement?

We are working with a well‑established organisation that is looking to appoint a Junior Purchasing professional to join its procurement team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who has either recently started their career in purchasing or has gained some initial exposure to procurement activity and is now looking to develop their skills further.

You don't need to have extensive purchasing experience. Perhaps you have been involved in raising purchase orders, obtaining quotations, communicating with suppliers or supporting an existing procurement team and are keen to take the next step.

Working closely with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, you will help ensure goods and services are purchased efficiently, competitively and in line with business requirements.

What will you be doing

• Raising and processing purchase orders accurately.
• Requesting and comparing supplier quotations.
• Liaising with suppliers regarding orders, deliveries and queries.
• Supporting supplier research and purchasing decisions.
• Following up on outstanding orders and resolving issues.
• Maintaining accurate purchasing records and supporting internal stakeholders.

What are we looking for?

This role would suit someone who is early in their purchasing or procurement career and is keen to develop.

• Some experience within purchasing, procurement, buying or supply chain.
• Experience raising purchase orders or processing orders.
• Exposure to communicating with suppliers and requesting quotations.
• An understanding of basic purchasing processes.
• Strong attention to detail and good organisational skills.
• The confidence to communicate with both suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• A proactive approach and willingness to learn.

We would also consider candidates from a purchasing administration, sales administration, customer service or supply chain support background where there has been some exposure to suppliers, orders or purchasing activity.

A CIPS qualification or studying towards one would be advantageous, but is not essential.

The opportunity

This is a great opportunity to join an established procurement function and gain broader exposure to purchasing, supplier management, sourcing and procurement processes.

For the right person, the role offers the opportunity to develop commercially and professionally while building a long‑term career within procurement.

If you have some initial purchasing experience and are looking for your next step, we'd be keen to hear from you.

Huntress does not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and complies with all relevant UK legislation.

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