Assistant Purchasing Manager

Role Overview

This role owns the day-to-day purchasing cycle, from understanding internal demand and sourcing suitable suppliers to placing orders, tracking deliveries, and keeping inventory and records accurate. It is central to keeping operations supplied with the right goods at the right cost, quality, and time, while reducing unnecessary spend, supply interruptions, and supplier risk. The position works closely with operational, warehouse, and finance teams to align purchasing decisions with real usage and budget expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Source, screen, and evaluate suppliers based on price, quality, reliability, capacity, and compliance with purchasing standards.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, delivery schedules, and service agreements to achieve cost savings and secure dependable supply.
• Prepare, review, and issue purchase orders, ensuring specifications, quantities, and delivery deadlines match internal requests.
• Monitor stock levels and usage patterns, coordinating with operational teams to avoid shortages, excess inventory, and spoilage or waste where applicable.
• Track open orders and follow up on late, incomplete, or incorrect deliveries; resolve invoice, quality, and return discrepancies with suppliers.
• Maintain accurate supplier records, price lists, contracts, and procurement documentation in line with internal controls and audit requirements.
• Analyse spending, market trends, and supplier performance to identify opportunities for consolidation, alternative sourcing, and cost reduction.
• Build and maintain productive supplier relationships while upholding ethical sourcing, confidentiality, and attention to detail.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Purchasing, Business Administration, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years' hands-on experience in purchasing or procurement, ideally gained in hospitality, restaurants, or FMCG environments.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate commercial terms and deliver cost savings without sacrificing quality or service levels.
• Strong supplier management capability, including sourcing, evaluation, performance monitoring, and issue resolution.
• Solid understanding of purchasing procedures, inventory management principles, and the relationship between stock control and operational demand.
• Analytical and organised approach to comparing quotes, reviewing spend, and maintaining accurate records under multiple deadlines.
• Clear communication and teamwork skills for working with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• High integrity, accountability, and close attention to detail when handling orders, pricing, contracts, and supplier data.