Purchasing Assistant

Purchasing Assistant

Report to:    Senior Buyer
Salary:        up to £22,000
Location:    Based in Luton

Benefits:    Free on-site parking, 28 Days Holiday (including Bank Holidays), Xmas Shutdown (must reserve 5 days holiday to cover this period)

Squirrels is a Discount Wholesaler supplying Independent and major Discounters in the UK. Squirrels is part of Kitwave which is an independent wholesale group which has seen huge growth recently and featured in the Sunday Times ‘Top Track 250’ 
We have depots throughout the UK and specialize in selling Confectionary, Soft Drinks, Snacks, Beers & Wines, Groceries, Frozen Food and Tobacco. As part of our expansion programme, the opportunity has arisen for two Business Development managers at our Squirrels ‘business based in Luton Bedfordshire

About the Role 
The role is to manage the UK purchasing process, working closely with Sales & Marketing to plan, execute and review pricing promotions. Previous experience in working within a purchasing, procurement or supply chain role with knowledge of the food and drinks industry – this position will support the buying team in all administration and supplier liaison.

Requirements 

• To assist set up of new supplier account details ensuring all suppliers are aware of and understand the requirements for product standards, labelling, deliveries, communicating effectively on any product issues
• Assist the Buying team with discontinuing lines and ensure these are discussed and passed with an exit plan
• Set up new pricing promotions on Purchasing System and communicate 
• Perform a regular review of the supplier base
• Review all relevant requests from departments and processing them accordingly
• Updating/Maintaining product information within the Purchasing System
• To assist in Performing regular audits of the information within the Purchasing System 
• Supporting the Sales and Marketing teams to plan, execute and review pricing promotions
• Manage delivery times so that they coincide with the needs of the company
• Assist in compiling the monthly stock take
• To manage own work load bearing in mind the priorities of the business
• To carry out any other reasonable tasks in conjunction with the demands of the business
• Performing ad-hoc projects as and when required by Senior Management

Person Specification

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience FMCG buying experience
• Educated to a good standard, Graduate is desirable
• Excellent communicator at all levels – internal and external stakeholders
• Able to manage own workload and work to deadlines
• Numerate, accurate with excellent attention to detail
• Good negotiator 
• IT literate