Purchasing Assistant (x2 positions)

Universal Business Team; South Oxfordshire; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in hospitality furniture is seeking a Purchasing Assistant in Abingdon. This role supports operations by ensuring timely purchasing and delivery of goods, with a focus on furniture and fabric procurement. The ideal candidate will have strong administrative skills, experience with suppliers, and proficiency in Excel. This position offers a salary of up to £35,000 and opportunities for career progression within the international business.

Benefits

Salary up to £35,000

23 days holiday + bank holidays

Bonus scheme

Career progression

Professional development support

Qualifications

• Experience in furniture or fabric procurement highly desirable.
• Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple suppliers.
• Experience in administration and organization.

Responsibilities

• Place purchase orders with suppliers.
• Track and update orders, escalate delays.
• Maintain pricing data within NetSuite.

Skills

Strong admin and organisational skills

Confident communicator

Experience working with fabric and furniture products

Comfortable with margin calculations

Excel proficiency

Tools

NetSuite

Job description

Location: Abingdon OX14
Salary: Up to £35,000
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm (Friday finish at 4pm if tasks completed- Hybrid options post probation)

Employment Type: Full-time, permanent

About the Company

We are proud to be recruiting on behalf of a forerunner in the hospitality furnishing industry. they deliver design-led furniture solutions for restaurants, hotels, bars, universities, workspaces, and commercial interiors. With offices in the UK, Italy, France, and the USA, they are at the forefront of international hospitality furniture supply.

With a passion for creativity, quality and comfort, their expert team blends cultural insight with design innovation to produce bespoke pieces crafted for purpose, durability and aesthetic appeal.

Role

The Purchasing Assistant will support the operations and sales teams by ensuring that goods are purchased, tracked and delivered on time, at the right quality and price. This is a critical role that will influence project profitability, supplier coordination, and delivery outcomes.

Experience in furniture, fabric or fit-out procurement is highly desirable, and confidence working with custom sizes, pricing and finishes is key. Over time, the successful candidate will contribute to pricing strategy, supply chain insights, and project-winning procurement advice.

Key Responsibilities

• Place purchase orders with UK and international suppliers
• Track and update orders, escalating delays or cost increases
• Maintain and update pricing data within NetSuite (CRM)
• Monitor costs and margins; flag discrepancies or risks to Operations Director
• Liaise with suppliers to confirm lead times, specs, and alternatives
• Order samples for the London showroom
• Set up new suppliers and manage invoice/P.O. alignment
• Organise inbound transport and international shipping
• Manage fire treatment and fabric handling processes
• Coordinate third-party finish treatments and QC checks
• Support ongoing reporting and cost control

Requirements

• Strong admin and organisational skills with a high attention to detail
• Confident communicator – internal and external stakeholders
• Experience working with fabric, furniture, upholstery or fit-out products
• Comfortable with margin calculations and product customisation
• Excel proficiency (must know formulas, % calcs etc.)
• Able to manage multiple suppliers and lead times effectively
• Knowledge of NetSuite or similar ERP system is a strong advantage
• Adaptable, resilient, solutions-driven, and team-oriented

Benefits

• Salary up to £35,000 (DOE)
• 23 days holiday + bank holidays
• Bonus scheme
• Career progression within a growing international company
• Professional development support
• Supportive and collaborative team environment

Progression

My client actively promotes internal growth and development. The successful candidate will have opportunities to expand their influence and responsibility within the procurement function and beyond.