Purchasing Assistant

Village Hotels - Central Team - Purchasing; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary (£40k)

Health & Wellness Membership

Birthday day off

Hotel discounts

Job summary

Village is seeking an Assistant Category Buyer to support procurement across a wide range of categories, from linens to waste management and beverages. The role is permanent and hybrid, requiring occasional travel to North West hotels to stay connected with on-site teams.

A self-starter with strong analytical skills and the ability to influence at all levels will thrive. Ideal candidates may be graduates or procurement professionals, and should be comfortable with data analysis, cost improvement

Qualifications

• Hospitality, leisure or retail procurement experience, or a highly analytical mind.
• Confident communicator who can influence at every level and loves a good spreadsheet.

Responsibilities

• Assist with major sourcing initiatives and tender projects to drive cost efficiencies across the estate.
• Build and optimise supplier relationships and monitor KPIs.
• Analyse spend data, performance reports, and market insights to spot commercial wins.
• Act as the vital bridge between suppliers and Operations, Finance and Hotel Management teams.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Spreadsheet proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent)

Tools

Excel

Job description

Assistant Category Buyer at Village: More Than a Job, It is a Movement!

Headline : Are you ready to join a place where your unique spark is celebrated and every single person is key to the magic? We are not corporate. We are not stuffy. We are Village. And right now, we are looking for a brilliant, bold, and fiercely analytical Assistant Category Buyer to join our Procurement powerhouse!

The Role: Your Contribution to Village

As our Assistant Category Buyer, you are the engine room of our commercial success. Working directly with the Group Head of Procurement, you will support the buying across a massive range of high value categories. From the linen on the beds to waste management out the back, housekeeping supplies, and the beverages in the bar, you are at the heart of how we operate.

This is a permanent role for a true self-starter. Whether you are a sharp, analytical graduate hungry for your first big break, or a proven procurement professional looking to make your mark, this is your platform. You will work on a hybrid basis, balancing home working with travel to our North West hotels to ensure you are fully connected with the teams on the ground.

The 'bones' of what you will be doing (because It Takes a Village):

• We Can: Support the Buy. You will be completely hands‑on, assisting with major sourcing initiatives and tender projects to drive serious cost efficiencies across our estate.
• We Will: Negotiate with Backbone. You will help build and optimise relationships with our supply chain. You are not just monitoring supplier KPIs; you are actively identifying continuous improvements and ensuring Village always gets the best quality and value.
• We Do: Analyse and Act. You will not just follow a list. You will dive deep into spend data, performance reports, and market insights to spot the commercial wins others miss and support vital decision-making.
• We Care: Build the Village. Working hybrid but staying highly connected, you will act as the vital bridge between our suppliers and our Operations, Finance, and Hotel Management teams. You understand that your work directly impacts the guest experience, so you buy with heart and logic.

Is This You?

We are looking for a problem solver who does not need their hand held. You might have some existing procurement experience in Hospitality, Leisure, or Retail, or you might be a brilliant graduate with a highly analytical mind ready to learn fast. If you are a confident communicator who can influence at every level (and you absolutely love a good spreadsheet), you will thrive here.

Our Mantra: It Takes a Village

This isn't just a saying; it is how we operate. We believe that the best hospitality, the biggest smiles, and the most exceptional experiences come from a collective effort.

• We Can: Give you the autonomy to manage your own diary and juggle multiple exciting projects simultaneously.
• We Will: Reward your hard work with a competitive salary and genuine room for growth and career development.
• We Do: Provide a hybrid-working model that actually works, giving you flexibility and balance.
• We Care: Ensure you feel like part of the team and are fully supported to learn the ropes of strategic procurement.

The Village Perks: What is In It For You?

We are in the people business, and that includes our own team. We want you to feel the Village benefits from day one. We offer:

• High Reward: A highly competitive salary of £40k plus brilliant benefits.
• A Package that Cares: A complimentary Health and Wellness Membership at your local Club for you and a friend, worth £1,500 a year, plus a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Unrivalled Work/Life Energy: A flexible hybrid working model, plus a guaranteed day off for your birthday.
• Authentic Hospitality: Massive discounts when you visit us in person, including overnight stays from £20 and 50% off Food and Drink at any Village Hotel.

Ready to Join Village as our Assistant Category Buyer?

If you are a driven professional or a sharp graduate ready to push boundaries and drive serious performance in a fast-paced environment, we want to hear from you.