Purchasing Executive - South East

Purchasing Executive – Inventory, ERP & Supplier Management

Location: Newbury
Job Type: Full-Time

Overview

We are seeking a highly organised and proactive Purchasing Executive to support and improve procurement, stock control, and supplier management processes. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong purchasing experience who wants to develop into a more strategic role as the business grows.

The role is ideal for candidates with strong Excel skills, experience raising purchase orders, and a background in regulated environments such as food, FMCG, or manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

Purchasing & Procurement

• Raise purchase orders in line with purchasing plans and business requirements.

• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure competitive pricing, quality, and reliable delivery.

• Monitor supplier performance and support supplier reviews.

• Track lead times, delivery accuracy, and purchase price variance.

Inventory & Stock Control

• Manage incoming stock and coordinate deliveries with warehouse and logistics teams.

• Oversee routine and periodic stock counts, ensuring accuracy and resolving discrepancies.

• Maintain and update stock records to ensure real-time visibility of inventory levels.

• Support waste tracking, reporting, and continuous improvement in waste reduction.

ERP & Reporting

• Manage ERP spreadsheets and data entry to ensure accurate purchasing, stock, and supplier information.

• Support future ERP system implementation and optimisation projects.

• Produce KPI reports across purchasing, stock, waste, and supplier performance.

• Provide data-driven insights to support supply chain and procurement decisions.

Skills & Experience Required

• Strong experience in raising purchase orders and coordinating purchasing activity.

• Exceptional Excel skills (lookup functions, pivots, data manipulation).

• Confident working with ERP systems or advanced spreadsheet-based workflows.

• Proven ability to build effective supplier relationships.

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to ensure on-time delivery and effective stock control.

• Experience working in the food sector, FMCG, or similarly regulated environments (highly beneficial).

• Excellent communication and attention to detail.

Career Progression

This role is designed to grow with the successful candidate. Over time, responsibilities may expand to include:

• Strategic procurement and sourcing decisions

• Supplier negotiation and cost optimisation

• Involvement in ERP system rollout and integration

• Demand planning and supply chain optimisation

• Team leadership or procurement management responsibilities

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to progress toward Purchasing Manager level

• Exposure to procurement, ERP systems, and supply chain strategy

• A key role within a growing business in a highly regulated industry

• Ideal for someone ambitious, analytical, and ready to advance their procurement career