Purchasing Assistant

About Pacifica and Role Overview

Pacifica, a leading UK domestic appliance repair specialist supporting major manufacturers and retailers, is seeking a Purchasing Assistant for its Washington warehouse in Tyne & Wear. This is a full-time, permanent position offering a salary of A324,784 per annum with standard hours from Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm (37.5 hours per week). Flexibility to work between 6:00am and 6:00pm may occasionally be required with prior notice.

Key Responsibilities

• Accurately process daily spare parts purchase orders, ensuring adherence to supplier deadlines.
• Verify purchase orders to avoid duplication or unnecessary spending.
• Maintain detailed records of spare parts, including supplier information, pricing, descriptions, and part numbers.
• Track supplier lead times and update anticipated delivery dates for delayed or backordered items.
• Communicate with suppliers to resolve issues related to shortages, damages, missing deliveries, and credits.
• Assist the Purchasing Manager with supplier-related queries and challenges.
• Foster positive supplier relationships to ensure dependable parts availability.
• Perform daily booking-in of spare parts into the stock management system.
• Support inventory accuracy by managing warehouse stock records and investigating discrepancies or lost items.
• Inspect delivery notes and goods-in documentation during stock investigations.
• Ensure spare parts are correctly located within warehouse stock areas.
• Assist with the prompt return of parts to suppliers and customers.
• Monitor and respond to shared purchasing inboxes.
• Support engineers, customer service, and internal teams by addressing parts-related inquiries.
• Complete assigned tasks within agreed deadlines to minimize operational disruption and appointment cancellations.
• Contribute to ongoing improvements in purchasing and logistics functions.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is highly organised, reliable, and adept at balancing competing priorities while maintaining strong accuracy. Comfort with supplier interactions, data systems, and problem-solving is essential to help ensure smooth operations.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Experience in purchasing, procurement, stock control, inventory management, logistics, warehouse administration, or related operational support roles.
• Strong organisational and planning capabilities.
• Attention to detail with excellent accuracy.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and adhere to deadlines.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Ability to quickly learn new computer systems and software.
• Proactive problem-solving skills.

Desirable Skills

• Prior experience handling suppliers and purchase orders.
• Familiarity with stock management and inventory control processes.
• Understanding of basic stock accounting principles.
• Intermediate Excel skills.

Benefits and Additional Information

• An annual salary of A324,784.
• Permanent full-time role.
• 30 days of annual leave inclusive of 8 bank holidays.
• Company pension scheme.
• Death-in-service benefit of three times the salary.
• Free parking on site.
• Discounts through a company retail portal.
• Monthly cash prize draws.
• Complimentary appliance coverage for personal home appliances.
• Access to ongoing training and development via Pacifica's Learning Hub.
• Opportunities for career progression in a growing national company.
• A friendly and supportive work culture.
• Working hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm, with potential flexibility between 6:00am and 6:00pm when operationally necessary.
• Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check required.