This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious purchasing professional looking to develop their career within a fast-paced FMCG manufacturing environment. Working closely with the Senior Buyer, you'll play a key role in ensuring the smooth supply of materials to support production, while building strong supplier relationships and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives across the procurement function.
If you're organised, commercially aware, and enjoy working in a busy manufacturing environment, we'd love to hear from you.
The Role
As Junior Buyer, you'll be responsible for supporting the purchasing function by managing purchase orders, monitoring supplier performance, and ensuring materials are delivered on time, at the right quality, and at competitive costs.
You'll work collaboratively across the business to maintain stock availability, support production schedules, and help drive efficiencies throughout the supply chain.
Key Responsibilities
Raise, manage and track purchase orders, ensuring all system information is accurate and up to date.
Monitor supplier deliveries to ensure materials arrive within agreed timescales.
Reschedule orders in line with production requirements and proactively expedite delayed deliveries.
Coordinate stock transfers between warehouse locations to optimise inventory levels.
Build and maintain strong relationships with UK and international suppliers.
Attend internal and external meetings as required.
Support continuous improvement projects across procurement and supply chain operations.
Identify opportunities for cost reduction and process improvements.
Assist with supplier tenders, benchmarking exercises and commercial negotiations.
Share purchasing forecasts with suppliers to improve planning and availability.
Communicate potential supply or material issues to relevant internal stakeholders.
Provide cover across the purchasing team during periods of holiday or absence.
Comply with all company Health & Safety policies and procedures.
What We're Looking ForExperience
Previous experience in a Junior Buyer or Purchasing Assistant role.
Experience within an FMCG or food manufacturing environment is highly desirable.
Experience working with both UK and international suppliers.
Experience managing high-volume product ranges.
Skills & Knowledge
SAP or similar ERP system experience is essential.
Strong Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Good commercial awareness and analytical ability.
Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
Ability to prioritise workload and make informed decisions in a fast-paced environment.
Confident negotiating with suppliers.
Self-motivated with a proactive and results-driven approach.
Personal Attributes
We're looking for someone who is:
Adaptable and flexible, with the ability to reprioritise when required.
Customer-focused and able to build strong working relationships.
Positive, enthusiastic and committed to continuous improvement.
Able to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.
Results-driven with excellent organisational skills.
Professional, reliable and able to demonstrate integrity.
A confident communicator who can engage with stakeholders at all levels.
Qualifications
A willingness to work towards a CIPS qualification (study support available).
GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths.
Fluent English
Salary description
£30000.00 - £30000.00 per year