Purchasing Support Specialist (Full-time, Permanent)
Hybrid - Central London 2 - 3 days office days
About Our Client
Our client is a leading global supplier of ingredients and premix manufacturing solutions for the food, beverage and nutrition industries. They hold strategic stocks in 35+ centres around the world to ensure continuity of supply and have liquid and dry premix manufacturing facilities in the UK, China and the USA. Their premix business is underpinned by over 40 years of experience in ingredient sourcing and distribution, servicing customers with global inventories, market expertise, and leading market positions in Vitamins, Amino Acids, Sweeteners, Preservatives, Proteins, Aroma Chemicals, and more.
What does a Purchasing Support Specialist do?
As their business continues to expand and their global footprint grows, delivering an exceptional customer experience has never been more critical. They are looking for a dynamic individual to join their fast-paced commercial team, where you will play a key role in managing customer interactions, coordinating orders and inventory, and collaborating across departments to ensure smooth and efficient service delivery.
This position demands a highly organized, detail-oriented professional with excellent communication skills and a proactive mindset. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-moving, ever-evolving commercial environment, is self-motivated, and can juggle multiple priorities with precision and composure, even under pressure.
What's in it for you?
* Personal growth including training and development opportunities.
* Health Cash Plan.
* Subsidised gym membership.
* Discretionary bonus.
What to expect?
* Order and Purchase Management.
* Process customer orders and purchase orders accurately and efficiently.
* Coordinate purchasing activities for assigned product categories under PM supervision.
* Liaise with global purchasing teams (China and USA) to ensure timely procurement and alignment.
* Inventory and Contract Oversight.
* Monitor and manage stock levels for key accounts to meet contractual obligations.
* Review expired contracts.
* Update pricing lists accordingly. Support inventory control, allocations, and quality tracking for designated product categories.
* Customer Service and Communication.
* Handle customer queries promptly and professionally.
* Monitor customer accounts and maintain close communication with commercial, logistics, and quality teams.
* Ensure high levels of customer service throughout the order and delivery process.
* Documentation and Sample Coordination.
* Send requested quality documents to customers and coordinate with the quality team.
* Manage product sample requests, including handling samples in-office or liaising with warehouses.
* Pricing and CRM Administration.
* Prepare and send price quotes to customers in collaboration with the Product Management team.
* Log opportunities and quotes into the CRM system.
Does this sound like you?
* Fluency in English is essential, and an additional European language is highly desirable.
* Minimum of 2 years' proven experience in a procurement support role, ideally within a fast-paced or complex supply chain environment, with exposure to purchasing, legal, and contract administration functions.
* Strong analytical skills with proven ability to interpret pricing data, evaluate supplier quotes, and support cost analysis initiatives.
* Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
* Comfortable navigating ambiguity and shifting priorities, showing composure and leadership when faced with unexpected challenges.
* Excellent communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills (internal and external).
* Advanced Excel proficiency (e.g. pivot tables, VLOOKUP, formulas); Power BI or similar BI tools are highly desirable.
* Great understanding of CRM and/or ERP systems and their functionalities.
* Professional, proactive, and results-driven with a strong business acumen.
* Able to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and adapt to an evolving business environment.
Interested? Our client would love to hear from you. Submit your CV by clicking apply.