Purchasing Assistant - 6 months fixed term contract - possibly going permanent at contract end. Job Overview We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Purchasing Assistant to join our clients purchasing team. The ideal candidate will play a crucial role in supporting the purchasing department by managing procurement activities, maintaining supplier relationships, and ensuring the efficient flow of materials. This position requires strong organisational skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a fast-paced environment. Responsibilities Assist in the procurement process by preparing purchase orders and tracking order status. Maintain accurate records of purchases, pricing, and inventory levels. Liaise with suppliers to negotiate terms, resolve issues, and ensure timely delivery of goods. Collaborate with logistics and supply chain teams to optimise inventory management. Utilise purchasing systems such as SAP ERP, Oracle EBS, or AS400 to manage procurement data effectively. Conduct market research to identify potential suppliers and assess their capabilities. Support the development of purchasing strategies that align with company goals. Monitor supplier performance and provide feedback for continuous improvement. Skills Proficiency in purchasing systems such as SAP ERP, Oracle EBS, or AS400 is highly desirable. Strong negotiation skills with the ability to influence outcomes positively. Knowledge of logistics and supply chain processes is advantageous. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with a keen attention to detail. Ability to work independently as well as part of a team in a fast-paced environment. If you are passionate about procurement and eager to contribute to our team's success, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity as a Purchasing Assistant. First 2 Recruit Ltd is an Employment Agency who provide permanent and fixed term contract services and an Employment Business who provide temporary services as defined under the Employment Agencies Act 1973. First 2 Recruit Ltd will collect the personal details which job seekers provide to us for the purposes of providing job seekers with work-finding services. In providing this service to job seekers we may need to transfer their personal details to our client companies. First 2 Recruit Ltd is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to a policy of treating all its employees and job applicants equally regardless of race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, age or perceived age, marital or civil partnership status or disability. This electronic message contains information that is confidential and termed "personal data" under the Data Protection Act 1998. This electronic message is intended for the use of the addressee(s) only. If you are not the intended addressee, any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this message is prohibited and may be unlawful. Disclosure to any party other than the addressee, whether inadvertent or otherwise is not intended to waive privilege or confidentiality. Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract Contract length: 6 months Pay: Up to £24,000.00 per year Benefits: Free parking On-site parking Schedule: Monday to Friday Work Location: In person