We have an excellent Purchasing opportunity for a leading manufacturer in Durham.  With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, our client is committed to providing durable and cost-effective solutions that meet the evolving needs of the industry.

Our client is looking for a detail-oriented and proactive Purchasing Assistant to support their procurement operations. This role is critical in ensuring the timely and cost-effective sourcing of raw materials, components, and other supplies required for manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist the Purchasing Manager with day-to-day procurement activities.
• Issue purchase orders based on stocklevels, production schedules, and supplier lead times.
• Communicate with suppliers to confirm order details, pricing, and delivery timelines.
• Maintain accurate records of purchase orders, supplier invoices, and receiving documents.
• Track deliveries and follow up on delays or discrepancies.
• Help evaluate supplier performance in terms of quality, cost, and reliability.
• Coordinate with warehouse and production teams to ensure material availability.
• Support cost-saving initiatives by sourcing alternative vendors or negotiating pricing.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of raw materials and building product specifications.

Requirements:

• 1–2 years of purchasing or administrative experience, preferably in a manufacturing or construction-related environment.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel; ERP experience is a plus – specifically SAGE 200 (not essential)
• Attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Team-oriented, with a proactive and problem-solving mindset.

Initially this is a temporary role with potential for permanent.