Contact Universal Business Team
Universal Business Team
Purchasing Assistant
Reading, Berkshire
- Hours
- Full Time
- Posted
- 6 hours ago
- Salary
- £35,000 - Annum
- Recruiter
- Universal Business Team
- Closes
- 10 Oct 2025
- Course
- No
- Recruiter Type
- Direct Employer
Description
Description
Location: Abingdon OX14
Salary: Up to £35,000
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm (Friday finish at 4pm if tasks completed- Hybrid options post probation)
Employment Type: Full-time, permanent
About the Company
We are proud to be recruiting on behalf of a forerunner in the hospitality furnishing industry. they deliver design-led furniture solutions for restaurants, hotels, bars, universities, workspaces, and commercial interiors. With offices in the UK, Italy, France, and the USA, they are at the forefront of international hospitality furniture supply.
With a passion for creativity, quality and comfort, their expert team blends cultural insight with design innovation to produce bespoke pieces crafted for purpose, durability and aesthetic appeal.
Role
The Purchasing Assistant will support the operations and sales teams by ensuring that goods are purchased, tracked and delivered on time, at the right quality and price. This is a critical role that will influence project profitability, supplier coordination, and delivery outcomes.
Experience in furniture, fabric or fit-out procurement is highly desirable, and confidence working with custom sizes, pricing and finishes is key. Over time, the successful candidate will contribute to pricing strategy, supply chain insights, and project-winning procurement advice.
Key Responsibilities
* Place purchase orders with UK and international suppliers
* Track and update orders, escalating delays or cost increases
* Maintain and update pricing data within NetSuite (CRM)
* Monitor costs and margins; flag discrepancies or risks to Operations Director
* Liaise with suppliers to confirm lead times, specs, and alternatives
* Order samples for the London showroom
* Set up new suppliers and manage invoice/P.O. alignment
* Organise inbound transport and international shipping
* Manage fire treatment and fabric handling processes
* Coordinate third-party finish treatments and QC checks
* Support ongoing reporting and cost control
Requirements
Requirements
* Strong admin and organisational skills with a high attention to detail
* Confident communicator – internal and external stakeholders
* Experience working with fabric, furniture, upholstery or fit-out products
* Comfortable with margin calculations and product customisation
* Excel proficiency (must know formulas, % calcs etc.)
* Able to manage multiple suppliers and lead times effectively
* Knowledge of NetSuite or similar ERP system is a strong advantage
* Adaptable, resilient, solutions-driven, and team-oriented
Benefits
* Salary up to £35,000 (DOE)
* 23 days holiday + bank holidays
* Bonus scheme
* Career progression within a growing international company
* Professional development support
* Supportive and collaborative team environment
Progression
My client actively promotes internal growth and development. The successful candidate will have opportunities to expand their influence and responsibility within the procurement function and beyond
Ad ID: 5416927305
Stay Safe
"Be wary of buyers asking to use 'Gumtree delivery' or 'Payments on Gumtree' because Gumtree doesn't offer these services currently. Requests from Whatsapp or SMS could be scams"
"Only access Gumtree from gumtree.com and do not follow links sent by other users"
"Share photos and ask lots of questions about the items you are buying and selling"
"If an ad or reply sounds too good to be true, it probably is"
"Use the 'Reply to ad' button for your safety and privacy"
"Don't reply to email addresses hidden in text and pictures"
"Trade in person, use PayPal 'paying for an item or service' to transfer money"
"Beware of fake Gumtree, eBay or escrow sites and invoices"
1 of 8