Resources
Post a Job
 Special offer 

Jumpstart your hiring with a £100 credit to sponsor your first job.*

Sponsored Jobs posted directly on Indeed are 65% more likely to report a hire than non-sponsored jobs**
  • Visibility for hard-to-fill roles through branding and urgently hiring
  • Instantly source candidates through matching to expedite your hiring
  • Access skilled candidates to cut down on mismatched hires
*The £100 Sponsored Job credit offer is only available for new accounts in the UK that post a job and expires one year after account creation. Upon expiration of the credit, users are charged based on Sponsored Job budget. Terms, conditions and quality standards apply **Indeed data, United Kingdom, Q2 2024

Purchasing Assistant Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated 5 November 2025
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
7 min read

A Purchasing Assistant, or Corporate Buying Assistant, helps with the purchasing of materials necessary for a company or organisation. Their duties include conducting market research, maintaining relationships with vendors and finding the best quality materials at the lowest prices.

Purchasing Assistant duties and responsibilities

A Purchasing Assistant helps decide what goods, services and equipment are needed for the company. Their duties and responsibilities include:

  • Following up with suppliers
  • Updating the team about any delays or problems with suppliers
  • Researching new products and suppliers
  • Negotiating contracts with suppliers
  • Presenting cost analyses to the department
  • Maintaining records of supplier contracts
  • Staying up-to-date with industry trends
  • Maintaining strong relationships with vendors
  • Keeping up to date with market trends

Hire your next Purchasing Assistant today

Post a job

Hire your next Purchasing Assistant today

Post a job
Close

Purchasing Assistant Job Description Examples:

Example 1

Purchasing Assistant

Salary: £20,000 - £21,500 per annum

Location: Stoke-on-Trent

Hours of work: Monday to Friday 8am-4:30pm

Contract type: Permanent

Are you looking to further your purchasing career within a success company? They are looking for you to manage your own portfolio of suppliers and work independently to contribute to the growth of the business.

Key responsibilities as a Purchasing Assistant:

  • Raise and expedite purchase orders to meet the demands of the business.
  • Communicate with suppliers and customers over the phone and via email regarding delivery dates, orders and returns.
  • Resolving invoice queries.
  • Stock reconciliation and yearly stock take.
  • Work closely with internal departments.

Required skills as a Purchasing Assistant:
  • Good understanding of purchasing and supply chain.
  • IT and computer literate – Excel and Outlook knowledge.
  • Ability to maintain and build good working relationships.
  • Organised and ability to prioritise workload.
  • Strong communication skills.

If you feel like this Purchasing Assistant role is of interest to you, please enquire now!

This vacancy is being advertised on behalf of Appointments Personnel who are operating as a recruitment agency.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £20,000.00-£21,500.00 per to Friday

Example 2

We have an immediate exciting opportunity to join an exciting modern employer whose growth will bring good career prospects for the right person

Duration: Permanent

Hours: Full time hours 8.30 to 5.00pm / 3pm on Friday /Half hour lunch

Salary: £25,000

Locations:Oldbury

The Job Role:

You will be responsible for expediting administration deliveries and purchase orders, using in-house system to reschedule purchase orders, processing invoice queries and placing purchase requisitions.

Day to day you will be focusing on maintaining department stock levels, signing off delivery notes as well as regular new supplier reviews for all purchased items, ensuring quality and competitive costs.

The successful Purchasing Assistant will have similar purchasing experience within a buying or production environment and ability to work with stock, parts and components/ suppliers. You will also be confident using Excel and have a high attention to detail.

Product training provided.

You will directly report to purchasing Manager

Skills required:
  • Must be experienced using Excel spreadsheets
  • Administration experience
  • Speaking to suppliers
  • Pricing and ations
  • High attention to detail
  • Accounts or similar buying, costing experience advantageous
  • Driving licence (essential)

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £25,000.00 per year

Benefits:
  • On-site parking
Schedule:
  • 8 hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Birmingham: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work ID: ec/300bgr03

Example 3

Purchasing Assistant

Salary: £19,000 – £24,000.00 depending on experience

Details of the Role:

This role will be responsible for the sourcing of mechanical, electrical and pneumatic components. Your duties will include:

  • Supplier liaison to achieve excellent supplier agreements, special terms, cost reductions and significant discount levels that will increase profitability of each project;
  • Internal communication with the mechanical and electrical design teams to ensure the correct components are sourced and available to allow project completion as planned.
  • Review of production information for completeness and accuracy;
  • Gain appropriate authorities where situations arise requiring deviation or concession to established standards, drawings or specifications;
  • Proactive and creative contribution to suggest new product concepts and ideas that may increase profitability and / or quality of a project;

More About You:
  • Ideally you will have some relevant purchasing experience in an engineering or manufacturing environment but this is not essential.
  • As well as your proactive and enthusiastic attitude, you will be organised and able to multi-task effectively with a right first time approach.
  • We’d really like you to have Maths and English GCSE’s at Grade C/4 or equivalent. Any Purchasing qualifications will be an advantage, but they aren't essential.
  • You must be computer literate, and have great verbal and written communications skills
  • Be a team player, happy to listen, and roll your sleeves up to get stuck in!
  • Ideally you will have a full driving licence but this is not essential.

For more information, please visit our website: [website]

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £19,000.00-£24,000.00 per year

Benefits:
  • On-site parking
Schedule:
  • 8 hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Plymouth, PL6 7PR: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work Licence (required)

Example 4

We have an exciting position available for a Purchasing Assistant to join a small, friendly retail / mall order company in Suffolk.

We are looking for someone with the ability to think independently, be proactive, has good keyboard and communication skills, and is flexible and willing to go that extra mile.

Key responsibilities

  • Securing best pricing, maintaining strong relationships and improving the performance of our suppliers
  • Placing daily purchase orders for stock to arrive in time for catalogue publication
  • Liaising with our warehouse to ensure purchase orders are on schedule and deliveries are booked in to our warehouse
  • Managing the inventory and forecasting system stock levels are sufficient to fulfil customer demand
  • Obtaining all product information and images to assist with the catalogue creation
  • Checking and proof-reading catalogue captions
  • Managing customer returns and damages
  • Updating our buying team about any product delays or problems with suppliers
  • Maintaining records of supplier contacts
  • Updating the team about any delays or problems with suppliers
  • Holiday cover for other members of the team in different areas of the business











Requirements

  • Experience within a similar inventory-focused role preferred
  • Proficient in Excel & Database Entry
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
  • Self-motivated
  • Team player
  • Good communication skills and attention to detail.






Benefits

You’ll be working as part of small friendly team

Initially office based, but hybrid home-working will be considered.

You’ll be joining a unique employee-owned company.

Your hours 9 to 5 but occasionally longer to meet deadlines

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From £23,795.00 per year



Education:
  • GCSE or equivalent (preferred)


Work Location: In deadline: 10/06/2024

Example 5

Purchasing Assistant

Location: Towcester

Salary:£24000- £26000

Job Description:

Purchasing Assistant Towcester*

Salary £24000- £26000 pa plus benefits

Hours: Mon -Thursday 9.00am -5.00pm (half hour lunch) *
  • Friday 9am -2.00pm****

**
  • Hybrid working of up to 2 days per week once qualifying period completed***

The role: To be responsible for day to day purchasing tasks as part of a team including:

Validate MRP demand and raise Purchase Orders for items generated by Epicor software

Raise Purchase Orders from Requisitions – manual and system generated

Process order acknowledgements – enter data on system, check details match Epicor, investigate discrepancies

Ensure suppliers adhere to our SLA’s for acknowledgements, lead times and deliveries

Ensure KPI data is maintained on Epicor – i.e. reasons for late deliveries and late acknowledgements

Complete Supplier Returns / DMR process on Epicor

Be responsible for spending via a company credit card

Maintain accurate data on Epicor including price lists, part information and supplier contact information

Assist our Engineering department in sourcing alternative supplierSend quarterly KPI reports to suppliers

Liaise with suppliers regarding price, availability and lead times

Adhere to company standards i.e. Environmental, Social and Governance, Anti-Bribery and Cyber-Security

Key Skills:
Understanding of Purchasing concepts
Ability to organise and prioritise workload

Be a confident and clear communicator to a wide range of stakeholders

Fully Computer literate (Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word)
***
  • Need to have your own transport as no public transport*****

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £24,000.00-£26,000.00 per year

Benefits:
  • Company events
  • Company pension
  • Free parking
  • Gym membership
  • Life insurance
  • Profit sharing
Schedule:
  • Monday to Friday
  • No weekends
Supplemental pay types:
  • Yearly bonus



Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Northampton: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work Location: Hybrid remote in Northampton

Example 6

We’re hiring for a Purchasing Assistant to join a worldwide manufacturing company based in Droylsden, Tameside. With ten sites across the globe, this company are well established and recognised within in the industry for their innovation and bespoke products.

Reporting into the Purchasing Manager, the role of the Purchasing Assistant will be to supply materials and services for ongoing production and new product development.

What’s on offer?

  • £22,000 - £28,000 per annum
  • Hybrid working: up to two days remote working per week
  • Monday - Thursday - 8:00am - 4:30pm, early finish Friday (36 hours per week)
  • 12-month fixed term contract – potential to turn permanent for the right person
  • 23 days holiday + bank holidays (rising with length of service)
  • Free on-site parking

*What will you be doing as a Purchasing Assistant?*
  • Generating purchase orders for assigned spend groups to meet manufacturing requirements
  • Maintaining ERP records with updated supplier price lists, order acknowledgements and expediting
  • Actively maintaining the supplier appraisal system, creating new suppliers, and maintaining records for certification and compliance
  • Compiling data in Excel to report on material prices, stock levels and ad hoc reports to support effective purchasing
  • Liaising with the Planning Team so that any part or material availability issues are resolved or reflected in the production schedules
  • Placing orders in accordance with Financial Regulations for inventory and non-inventory goods and services.

What do you need?
  • A minimum of 12-months experience in a purchasing role or similar
  • Great customer service skills
  • Good verbal and written communication skills
  • Good Maths and English skills

What’s nice to have?
  • Advanced Excel training
  • Previous experience working in the manufacturing sector
  • Experience of ERP/MRP systems

If you have strong organisational skills along with previous experience within a purchasing role and would be interested in joining a world leading electronics manufacturer then, apply today or speak with Carla at KPJ Group for more information on 0161 249 8120 - we look forward to hearing from you!

KPJ Group are a specialist Recruitment Consultancy with more than 40 years of experience delivering staffing solutions. We treat each application with a high degree of care however due to the high volume of applications are sometimes unable to contact all individuals. If you do not hear from us within 5 days of submitting your application, please assume that unfortunately you have not been shortlisted.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Salary: £22,000.00-£28,000.00 per year

Schedule:
  • 8 hour shift
  • Day shift
  • Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Audenshaw: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work ID: CD/PA/22

Example 7

Role: Assistant Buyer
Salary: £24,000 - £25,000
Knutsford*
  • Relocating to Warrington next year
Type: Permanent

Overview
2fawcett have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Buyer to join our client in the Knutsford are of Manchester on a full-time, permanent basis. As the Assistant Buyer, you should be well-organized and will be supporting the purchasing department with researching market trends, maintaining relationships with both vendors and clients, inspecting inventory, and updating relevant spreadsheets and documents.

To be successful, you should have excellent administrative and communication skills. An exceptional Assistant Buyer should be an innovator with an eye for spotting market trends.

Role & Responsibilities of theAssistant Buyer

  • Placing purchase orders on GP System
  • Placing and tracking orders
  • Updating the team about any delays or problems with suppliers
  • Assisting with analyses and reports.
  • Maintaining knowledge of market/industry trends.
  • Researching new products and suppliers
  • Presenting cost analyses to the department
  • Maintaining records of supplier contracts
  • Maintaining strong relationships with vendors

Requirements of theAssistant Buyer

  • Degree or diploma in Purchasing
  • 2 years experience in a purchasing enviroment
  • Ability to perform in fast-paced environments
  • Excellent written, verbal, and telephone communication skills
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office, in particular MS Excel
  • Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • Knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • Ability to establish and develop relationships with internal and external sources
  • Analytical thinking skills
  • An ability to determine upcoming trends

What will you get in return

  • Excellent Salary
  • Progression & Development
  • On-site Parking
  • Pension scheme
  • Breakfast items in the office
  • A great working environment

Type
Permanent

Working Hours
Monday – Friday

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £24,000.00-£25,000.00 per year

Benefits:
  • Company pension
  • Discounted or free food
  • On-site parking
Schedule:
  • 8 hour shift
  • Day shift
  • Monday to Friday
  • No weekends

Application question(s):
  • Would you be able to reliably commute to both Knutsford and Warrington
  • Do you have a 2 years experience working in a purchasing role
  • When would you be available to interview should interview be offered

Work One location

Example 8

Company Description

Crime and Fire Defence Systems Ltd are a turnkey systems integrator specialising in perimeter security protection. We provide CCTV, access control, electric fencing, electrical installation, fibre optic networks, control rooms, civils works and project management. Our customers are predominantly energy distributors and due to continued organic growth within this sector, we are strengthening our team.

Job Description

To assist the Purchasing and Stores Supervisor with the running of all aspects of the purchase, stores and stock control areas of the business. Provide administration support to the Operation & Installation Department. Please note this role requires some manual handling works.

Main Duties to be carried out include the following:
  • Assist in ordering parts, equipment and re-stocking engineers and stores when required.
  • To accept incoming deliveries, check and accurately store goods received.
  • Assist in raising purchase orders & confirming deliveries on Sage 200 accountancy system.
  • Assist to prepare job packs and make sure all materials are in the right place at the right time.
  • Log incoming and outgoing stock transactions.
  • Assist in maintaining project procurement registers accurately, including logging of product certification.
  • Assist in monthly/annual stock takes.
  • Organise and arrange business travel and accommodation as required.
  • Provide administration support to the Operation & Installation Department.
  • General business administration tasks
  • Any other duties commensurate with the grade and position.

Knowledge & Qualifications (E=Essential, D=Desirable)
  • GCSE Or Equivalent in Maths and English – Grade C or above (D)

Skills & Experience (E=Essential, D=Desirable)
  • High attention to detail (E)
  • Team working skills (D)
  • Well organised and methodical (D)
  • Good level of IT skills (In particular MS Excel) (D)

Other Benefits & Terms
  • 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
  • Company Pension Scheme
  • Life insurance cover following 6 months service.
  • Access to an employee assistance programme
  • All employees are required to be vetted to BS7858 as a requirement of employment
  • Long term promotion prospects in a growing company
  • Ongoing training where required

Applicants will be shortlisted for interview after the closing date and receive notification either by telephone or email to arrange an interview.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £24,500.00 per year

Benefits:
  • Company pension
  • Free parking
  • Life insurance
  • On-site parking
Schedule:
  • Monday to Friday



Licence/Certification:
  • Driving Licence (required)


Work Location: In deadline: 14/06/2024

Example 9

Import Purchasing Assistant

Job Title: Import Purchasing Assistant
Positions: Full Time
Department: Purchasing
Reports to: Senior Purchasing Manager
Location: RKW LTD, Sutton House, Berry Hill Road, Fenton, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 2NL.

We have a fantastic career opportunity to join our Purchasing Team as Import Buying Assistant, at RKW, Europe’s leading distributor and manufacturer of small domestic appliances and housewares products. Part of the Sutton Venture Group, RKW was established in 1989 and has grown from strength to strength. We have ambitious growth plans and seek an ambitious candidate to help us continue to succeed and help us achieve our vision for the future.

Responsibilities and Duties

The role of the Import Purchasing Assistant, is to work as part of the purchasing department by managing a set of purchase orders through production until shipment in the Far East. Working with direction from the Senior Purchasing Manager, the role primarily will be data administration, raising orders and liaising to suppliers through our China office. Working for some of the fastest growing brands in the UK and dealing with customers and suppliers on a global basis.

Specific areas of Responsibility

  • The raising and management of purchase orders to suppliers
  • Using relevant reports and information to ensure requirements are followed
  • Saving of various documentation to relevant system folders
  • Working closely with related buyers
  • Managing system dates, ensuring accuracy at all times
  • Updating and maintaining Navision data, especially in relation to item/vendor cards and purchase order information
  • Liaising with Accounts to ensure deposits/balance payments meet deadlines for shipments
  • Liaising with Suppliers, Buyers and Factories in the Far East and Worldwide
  • Chasing and handling of product samples and tracking
  • Liaising with China Office in relation to purchase orders, sales confirmations, amendment and product information
  • Checking of Inspection reports, sales confirmations and requirements etc.
  • Assisting with any enquiries from other departments, sales team, QA etc.
  • General support to the Buying Team and Purchasing Department

Skills and Desirables

  • Excellent attention to detail and administration skills
  • Computer literate with good knowledge of Microsoft packages
  • Have the ability to multi-task, work well under pressure and use effective time management to meet tight deadlines
  • Be personable to build relationships with people of all levels/positions
  • Be able to manage time and workload accordingly in a fast paced enviornment
  • Flexibility and ability to effectively communicate and negotiate with people from all backgrounds
  • Ability to work independently/on own initiative and also as part of a team, as required

*This list is not exclusive, and support is expected with any duties within the Dept. as dictated by the Dept. Management.*

Company Benefits

  • 25 days' annual leave
  • Free parking on all sites
  • Complimentary drinks
  • Canteen facilities which include vending machines supplying hot and cold snacks
  • Staff discount on all our products
  • Employee Assistant Program
  • Refer a Friend Scheme
  • Training and development
  • Eye care allowance
  • Exclusive discounts on cinema, holidays, days out, eating out and much more
  • Long service incentives and rewards
  • Annual bonus scheme

Come and join us to celebrate 30 years of business –

If you feel you have the right background and experience to carry out this busy role, we look forward to hearing from you, please apply now!

*Notice to agencies. R K Wholesale Limited (the Company) will not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies, search firms, or independent agents for this available role. Resumes submitted without authorisation and valid signed agreement in place will become the sole property of the Company. Therefore, no fee will be payable should a candidate be hired as a result of an unsolicited agency, search firm or independent agent's referral.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: Up to £22,000.00 per year

Benefits:
  • Employee discount
  • Free parking
  • On-site parking
Schedule:
  • Day shift
  • Monday to Friday



Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Stoke-On-Trent: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):
  • What are your salary Location: In person
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
Create a culture of innovation
Download our free step-by-step guide on encouraging healthy risk-taking
Get the guide

What does a Purchasing Assistant do?

Purchasing Assistants help procure the materials a company needs in order to succeed. They assist a Purchasing Manager or Senior Purchaser in completing many administrative tasks. They help the company by finding the best quality materials at the lowest prices, which in turn helps the company succeed in making the best quality product while saving money.

Purchasing Assistant skills and qualifications

A successful Purchasing Assistant candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications, that include:

  • Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • Knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • Thorough attention to detail
  • Ability to establish and develop relationships with internal and external sources
  • Analytical thinking skills
  • Ability to be flexible and open to changes
  • Self-motivation
  • An ability to determine upcoming trends

Purchasing Assistant experience requirements

As this is an entry-level job, rigid experience requirements may not be necessary depending on the company. An applicant who has some experience working in a purchasing office is preferable but, candidates who are highly organised, have general experience working in a fast-paced environment and love working in the retail industry can also be considered.

Purchasing Assistant education and training requirements

There is no set university course related to this position, but many employers prefer candidates with a diploma in business studies, purchasing and logistics, purchasing and supply, marketing, supply chain management or something similar. They can also complete a higher level apprenticeship in commercial procurement. Some companies require applicants to have specific certification from the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply.

Purchasing Assistant salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary of a Purchasing Assistant is £20,932 per year in the UK. This figure varies depending on several factors, including the location, employee experience and company policy.

Job description samples for similar positions

Other jobs that are similar to that of a Purchasing Assistant if this job description wasn’t quite what you were looking for include: 

Create a culture of innovation
Download our free step-by-step guide on encouraging healthy risk-taking
Get the guide

Purchasing Assistant job description FAQs

Two chefs, one wearing a red headband, review a laptop and take notes at a wooden table in a kitchen setting.

Hire your next Purchasing Assistant today

Post a job

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

No search results found

    Related articles

    20 ChatGPT prompts for effective employee onboarding
    Read article
    How to write an employment verification letter
    Read article
    New Starter Onboarding Checklist for UK Employers
    Read article