Purchasing Assistant
Do you have a knack with systems and spreasheets and passion for renewable technology? We're looking for someone with an eye for detail, a nose for a bargain and a head for numbers.
We pride ourselves on being a distributor that offers a wide range of great products, but with the support of friendly and helpful service too. We need someone to join the purchasing team to help stay on top of our stock levels across more than 1500 product lines. With the technology moving fast, prices changing constantly, and a supply chain full of surprises, there's never a dull day in purchasing!
Read on to learn more, or see the application pack for further information.
Who we are
We're primarily a distributor of components of renewable energy systems - from solar panels to batteries and heat pumps.
Midsummer is a fast-growing company selling a range of renewable energy products, primarily to installation companies, from our offices in Cambridge, Glasgow and Dublin. We sell solar PV systems, battery storage, electric vehicle chargers, heat pumps and a variety of other associated products, and were recognised as the UK's best renewables distributor for 2020 and 2022.
Founded in 2005, we’re now on our 6th warehouse, process around 50,000 orders a year and have a team of over 110 people across our Cambridge, Glasgow and Dublin locations. In addition to our growing gang of friendly staff and a lean, efficient operation, we have a suite of web tools that make design and ordering extremely easy, for both solar projects and heat pump installs. Easy PV and Heatpunk are our cutting edge software offerings!
As an organisation, we have a strong environmental ethos and a passion for promoting the uptake of renewables, and our team share a belief in an open and honest approach to business. Find out more about our story, purpose and how we make sustainability, integrity and innovation central to what we do here.
In Easy-PV, arranging panels is simple and fast. Required mounting components, such as rails, clamps, and hooks, are automatically calculated in the blink of an eye.Unusually for a distributor, we have an in-house team of developers and have built our own software Easy-PV, our online PV tool suite. It's both a sales channel and helpful tool for our customers, but is invaluable for our own team too.
The Role
You'll gain familiarity with our product range, and work closely with the wider purchasing team on the various aspects of the purchasing process, including:
- Forecasting our requirements. Using our tools and systems, and some judgement, to determine appropriate order quantities
- Creating and amending purchase orders. Making sure they accurately reflect our needs in all particulars, and match what arrives too!
- Ensuring imports processes are followed and documented. Organisation and an eye for detail are key for this.
- Dealing with logistics companies, routing orders to our various warehouses. Keeping all parties informed of the key information - what needs to be where, and when.
- Liaising with the inbound team to ensure orders have arrived as intended and stock levels are correct. Our sales teams, warehouse teams and customer all rely on stock information accuracy.
- The role will also involve interacting with existing and new suppliers. Building and maintaining relationships, and ensuring a stable pipeline of supply and no surprises.
- Seeking to ensure we are buying at competitive prices and in appropriate quantities. Negotiating where necessary, and keeping abreast of competitor pricing (and viable alternatives).
You'll report to the Purchasing Manager, taking on increased responsibility as you progress in the role.
Who we’re looking for
You enjoy a challenge, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. You're a self-led problem-solver, but able to work closely with a small team to keep things on track.
You have superb numerical skills, as well as good commercial instincts for when to query the numbers. On top of that, you're an excellent communicator who can build relationships and get results.
Experience in purchasing, stock management and/or the solar or heating industries would certainly be an advantage - but they are not essential, and recent graduates who want to begin a career in renewables would be equally welcome to apply.
As long as you are self-motivated and highly numerate, with the ability to pick up systems quickly, we'd love to hear from you!
What it offers
You'll be joining a young, dynamic company with positive values that is aiming to position itself as the leading distributor of renewable energy systems in the UK.
The position is based in our offices neighbouring Milton Country Park on the outskirts of Cambridge. You will learn a lot on the job, and we’ll bring you up to speed as fast as possible. It's a fast-moving industry so new products, customers and technologies come along all the time - there will always be new things to learn.
- Salary of £26,000 - £29,000 depending on experience
- Company profit share scheme
- Cycle to work and EV salary sacrifice schemes
- Free staff veg box scheme
We believe in early responsibility and career progression based on talent and commitment. The industry is growing fast, and so is Midsummer - there is plenty of scope to grow with us.
We can be flexible with start dates.
Please review the application pack and then click APPLY NOW at the top of the page. If you have any questions before applying, please email us at jobs@midsummerenergy.co.uk
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