Buying & Stock Assistant - #2118864

Buying & Stock Assistant

Salary: Dependent upon experience

Manchester – Office Based

Our Client, a rapidly expanding distributor of products to the retail market now has an excellent opportunity for a Buying / Stock Assistant to join their team based in Manchester.

We are particularly interested in hearing from Chinese speaking candidates due to our clients Far East supplier connections

The Role

We are looking for a proactive and commercially minded Buying / Stock Assistant to support the buying team across product sourcing, purchasing and stock management.

This is a varied role combining elements of buying administration, supplier management, purchase order progression and inventory control. You will work closely with the Senior Buyer, suppliers, sales, warehouse, finance and logistics teams to ensure the right products are sourced, ordered and available at the right time.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Senior Buyer with sourcing new products and suppliers to expand and improve the product range.
• Research products and suppliers in line with agreed price points, trends, customer requirements and existing programmes.
• Assist with the development of new products, categories and customer own-label ranges.
• Liaise with suppliers to obtain pricing, availability, product information and technical data.
• Create, raise and send purchase orders to suppliers using the company’s ERP/MRP system.
• Confirm purchase orders with suppliers and actively progress outstanding orders.
• Monitor supplier lead times and expected delivery dates, updating systems with accurate arrival information.
• Monitor stock levels and support the buying team in maintaining optimum product availability.
• Maintain re-order points and lead-time information across the product range.
• Liaise with suppliers, agents and internal teams to ensure the right stock is shipped at the right time.
• Progress shipping documentation to support the timely clearance of imported goods.
• Work with transport and warehouse teams to coordinate UK collections and stock movements.
• Assist with warehouse-to-warehouse stock transfers and management of stock held in external storage facilities.
• Provide detailed and accurate stock availability information to internal and external sales teams.
• Liaise with sales teams to ensure stock requirements for key accounts are understood and fulfilled.
• Escalate and help resolve product, supplier and availability issues quickly and efficiently.
• Maintain accurate product, supplier, order and stock data within the ERP system.
• Oversee relevant purchase invoices and supplier documentation.

About You

We are looking for someone who is organised, hands-on and commercially aware, with an interest in buying, purchasing and stock management.

Ideally, you will have:

• Previous experience within buying, purchasing, stock control, inventory or a similar commercial role.
• Experience of working with suppliers and progressing purchase orders.
• Strong Excel skills.
• Experience using an ERP/MRP system and maintaining accurate master data.
• An understanding of import procedures, lead times and overseas supply chains.
• Experience working with Far East or Indian suppliers would be advantageous.
• Experience within FMCG, Air Care or a similar product environment would be beneficial.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organisational skills.
• The ability to communicate confidently with suppliers and colleagues at all levels.
• Commercial awareness and a proactive approach to problem solving.
• The ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• A hands-on approach and willingness to get involved across the wider buying and stock function.

Due to our client’s established supplier relationships across the Far East, Mandarin or Cantonese language skills would be highly advantageous.

Apply online or for further information contact one of our specialist consultants quoting reference number: NJR16919