Procurement Assistant Essex £30,000 An established international manufacturing organisation is looking to appoint a Procurement Assistant to support its purchasing and supply chain operations. This is a hands-on role suited to someone who enjoys working with suppliers, managing data accurately and supporting internal teams to ensure materials and services are available when needed. The Role Working closely with the Procurement Manager, you will play a key part in day to day purchasing activity across both direct and indirect spend. You’ll be responsible for raising and progressing purchase orders, communicating with suppliers, and keeping procurement data up to date within the ERP system. The role sits at the heart of operations, requiring close collaboration with production, engineering and technical teams. Key Responsibilities Issue requests for quotation and assess supplier responses for a range of purchased components and services Raise and manage purchase orders generated through MRP, internal requisitions and inter-company requirements Maintain accurate purchasing data within the ERP system, including order acknowledgements and updates Monitor supplier performance, resolving issues relating to pricing, delivery or discrepancies Act as a key point of contact for supplier queries via a shared procurement inbox Liaise regularly with internal departments to provide updates on order status and potential delays Support routine MRP activity and respond to material requirements as they arise Assist with continuous improvement initiatives aimed at improving efficiency and cost control Provide general administrative and operational support to the wider procurement functionAbout You Previous experience in a procurement, purchasing or supply chain support role Comfortable working with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications Highly organised with strong attention to detail and data accuracy Confident communicator, able to work effectively with suppliers and internal stakeholders Able to prioritise workload and remain calm when working to tight deadlines Proactive problem solver with a willingness to learn and developQualifications GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English Professional purchasing qualifications (such as CIPS) are advantageous but not essentialWhat’s on Offer Competitive salary Generous annual leave allowance plus bank holidays Pension and life assurance options Wellbeing and employee support programmes Structured induction and ongoing training Opportunities for long-term development and career progression Social events and additional lifestyle benefits