PURCHASING SUPPORT (GRAD OPPORTUNITY)

Purchasing Support Operative

£28,000 + £2,000 Retention Bonus | Newton-le-Willows | Career Development | Hybrid Working

A rapidly expanding UK market leader is looking to recruit an ambitious Purchasing Support Operative to join its busy Purchasing Team at its modern Head Office in Newton-le-Willows.

This is an excellent opportunity for a graduate or someone with strong administrative and analytical skills who enjoys working with Microsoft Excel, data analysis and reporting, and wants to build a long-term career within Purchasing and Supply Chain.

Full training will be provided, making this an ideal opportunity for someone with the right attitude, excellent attention to detail and a genuine interest in developing within a commercial purchasing environment.

The Role

Working within a fast-paced Purchasing Department, you'll learn every aspect of the purchasing process whilst supporting the wider team with reporting, supplier liaison and purchasing administration.

You'll be responsible for:

Learning the purchasing process from enquiry through to delivery.

Producing and manipulating Microsoft Excel spreadsheets using information from multiple data sources.

Analysing stock levels, pricing and logistics information to support purchasing decisions.

Coordinating international container shipments from the Far East.

Supporting the purchasing of products from UK, European and worldwide suppliers.

Building strong relationships with suppliers, freight forwarders and internal departments.

Helping identify cost-saving opportunities and process improvements.

Supporting reporting and purchasing administration across the department.

Becoming a key member of a highly successful Purchasing Team.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is:

Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.

Advanced or confident using Microsoft Excel.

Comfortable analysing data and producing reports.

A logical problem solver with excellent numerical ability.

Confident using IT systems and keen to learn new software.

An excellent communicator who enjoys working with people.

Self-motivated and capable of managing multiple priorities.

Enthusiastic, proactive and keen to develop a long-term career.

Happy working in a busy, fast-moving environment.

Previous purchasing experience would be advantageous but is not essential, as full training will be provided.

Graduates with strong analytical skills are encouraged to apply.

Package

• £28,000 starting salary.
• £2,000 retention bonus after 12 months.
• Laptop and mobile phone provided following successful completion of probation and training.
• Hybrid working (2 days per month from home after probation, subject to approval).
• Private Healthcare.
• Life Assurance.
• Staff Discount.
• Free On-site Parking.
• Modern office environment.
• Excellent long-term career progression.
• 23 days holiday plus Bank Holidays (rising to 24 days after one year's service).

Hours

Monday to Friday

Choose either:

• 8:30am – 5:00pm, or
• 9:00am – 5:30pm

(30-minute lunch)

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to join a well-established, financially secure business that continues to invest heavily in its people, systems and future growth. If you're someone who enjoys working with data, solving problems, mastering Excel and making a real commercial impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Ideal Backgrounds

This role would particularly suit candidates from backgrounds such as:

• Purchasing Administrator
• Supply Chain Administrator
• Procurement Assistant
• Commercial Administrator
• Buying Assistant
• Data Analyst
• Graduate (Mathematics, Business, Economics, Engineering or Supply Chain)
• Logistics Administrator
• Stock Controller
• Operations Administrator

If you're looking for a career where analytical thinking, organisation and Excel skills are genuinely valued, this could be the perfect opportunity.