We are seeking a Junior Buyer to support a client based in Bolton on a permanent staff basis.
This will be working 5 days per week Mon – Fri, 37 hours total. Typical Hours are 08.00 am – 5.00 pm Monday to Thursday and Friday 08.00 am – 12 noon which is also typically worked from home. An annual salary between £24 and 27k p/a is expected plus typical staff benefits including 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, Fridays working from home, life assurance and healthcare.
The client works in the industrial and manufacturing sector supporting clients across a range of niche industries supplying steel based products. A description is given below - to apply please respond with your CV and details on your current situation
Junior Buyer - Job Description:
The Junior Buyer supports the Procurement team by maintaining the accuracy and integrity of purchase order data, progressing and expediting outstanding orders with suppliers, and providing day-to-day operational cover within the team. The role plays a key part in sustaining the accuracy of supplier delivery performance (OTIF) reporting, supporting delivery of departmental KPIs, and ensuring procurement processes are followed consistently. The position provides a structured development pathway into broader buying responsibility over time.
Junior Buyer - Responsibilities & Duties:
Purchase order housekeeping & data integrity
• Maintain and update purchase order records, ensuring required, promised, and latest delivery dates are entered and kept accurate and up to date.
• Monitor open order reports to identify missing, overdue, or inconsistent data and resolve or escalate as needed.
• Support the accuracy of data feeding the supplier On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) KPI and other procurement reporting.
• Ensure purchase order documentation is correctly filed and compliant with internal process and audit requirements.
• Maintain the integrity of supplier and purchase order data within the ERP system, escalating discrepancies that could affect production or delivery schedules.
Expediting & supplier follow-up
• Chase suppliers for order acknowledgements, updated delivery dates, and shipment confirmations.
• Proactively flag orders at risk of late delivery and support timely resolution with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain regular communication with key suppliers on the status of open orders.
• Monitor supplier delivery performance and support actions to improve OTIF results, escalating recurring issues to the Procurement Manager.
Reporting support
• Support production of the weekly supplier OTIF report and other routine procurement reporting.
• Help maintain data feeding the team's vis board and KPI tracking.
• Support the analysis of procurement KPI data to help identify trends and areas for improvement.
Team cover & continuity
• Provide day-to-day operational cover for core buying and PO administration activity during colleague absence or leave.
• Build sufficient working knowledge of key suppliers and processes to maintain continuity in the Buyer's absence.
General
• Work collaboratively with Engineering, Planning, Goods-In, and Finance to resolve order and delivery queries.
• Undertake other reasonable duties as required to support the Procurement function.
• Over time, and subject to performance and business need, take on broader buying responsibilities – including ownership of specific supplier relationships – as part of a structured development pathway.
• Any other ad hoc duties as may be required, and as commensurate with the grade of post.
Junior Buyer - Qualifications, Knowledge, Experience & Skills:
Essential
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and general IT literacy.
• Strong attention to detail and comfortable working with data.
• Clear, confident communicator, comfortable liaising with suppliers and internal colleagues.
• Well organised, able to manage multiple open tasks and follow up reliably.
• A proactive, ownership-minded approach – willing to chase issues to resolution rather than simply log them.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret and check data for accuracy.
Desirable
• Previous experience in a purchasing, supply chain, planning, or administrative role within a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with an ERP/MRP system (e.g. Progress Plus, SAP, or similar).
• Interest in working towards a recognised procurement qualification (e.g. CIPS), with support available from the business.
Behaviours
• Takes ownership of tasks through to completion.
• Looks for ways to improve processes and outcomes within own area of work.
• Reliable and consistent – particularly important given the role's data-integrity and cover responsibilities.
• Willing to learn and take on increasing responsibility over time.
• Works well as part of a small, close-knit team.