We are seeking a highly organised and detail-driven Buyer Assistant to support our Food & Drink supply chain and buying operations. This role sits at the heart of our importing activity, working closely with Italian and UK producers, logistics partners, clearance agents, and internal commercial teams to ensure the smooth flow of premium products from origin to warehouse.
This position is ideal for someone with strong operational capability, a methodical approach, and an interest in food safety, compliance, and international logistics.
Key Responsibilities
* Liaise with Italian and English-speaking food & drink producers
* Act as a key point of contact for logistics partners, freight forwarders, and transport providers
* Coordinate shipping, transportation, and import logistics
* Work closely with customs and clearance agents, supporting clearance and documentation processes
* Monitor inbound shipments and update ETAs, ensuring accurate and timely communication
* Assist with sales and stock forecasting, supporting availability planning
* Check, prepare, and manage mandatory import and export documentation
* Support food safety and compliance requirements, including SALSA documentation
* Inspect goods on arrival, ensuring quality, quantity, and specification
* Manage and resolve goods, quality, or delivery-related issues
* Upload and maintain importing and shipment data within the Transporter’s Portal
* Support the sales team with stock status, availability, and lead times
* Manage invoicing for OCM events and food & drink trade fairs
* Process bank transfers to suppliers
* Organise travel arrangements, diary management, and operational administration
* Handle parking fines and general office support tasks
Skills & Experience
* Fluent Italian and English (spoken and written) – essential
* Experience in supply chain, logistics, importing, buying support, or operations
* Strong understanding of import processes, customs clearance, and documentation
* Knowledge of food safety, traceability, and compliance, ideally within SALSA-accredited environments
* Strong numerical and analytical skills to support forecasting and stock planning
* Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
* Ability to manage multiple shipments, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously
Why Join Us?
* Play a key operational role in a growing Food & Drink supply chain
* Work with international artisan producers and specialist logistics partners
* Gain hands-on exposure to importing, customs, forecasting, and compliance
* Be part of a quality-driven, operationally focused Food & Drink business
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Employee discount
Ability to commute/relocate:
* Finsbury Park N4 1DN: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Application question(s):
* Do you have experience in italian food products and have worked within the buying department supporting forecasting and stock planning
Education:
* Certificate of Higher Education (preferred)
Experience:
* supply chain, logistics, importing,: 2 years (required)
* import processes, customs clearance,: 2 years (required)
* italian food products: 2 years (required)
Language:
* Italian (required)
Work authorisation:
* United Kingdom (required)
Location:
* Finsbury Park N4 1DN (preferred)
Work Location: In person
Application settings
Application method
* Email