Main Purpose of the Job

Join our dynamic Purchasing department and play a key role in delivering exceptional service to the scientists at the Norwich Bioscience Institutes. As a valued team member, you'll assist with order processing, handle administrative tasks, and consistently provide outstanding customer service to support the needs of our scientific community.

Key Relationships

Assist the Purchasing Manager, work with the Purchasing & Stores Assistants.
Support the Lab Managers & Scientists.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Process external requests from the Institutes

60

Ensure the timely completion of all outstanding orders and provide immediate responses to queries from external vendors

10

Managing telephone and email communications with both internal staff and external companies

10

Assist end users with any supply problems and advise where products can be sourced from

10

General departmental administration and assistance such as filing, supplier database updates, assist in bi-annual stock takes, reconcile monthly credit card statements

10

As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

GCSEs grades A*-C including English & Mathematics

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Good knowledge of Purchasing procedures and processes

Essential

Excellent computer literacy including proficiency in MS office programs

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Proven, recent experience of working in a purchasing environment

Essential

Recent experience of working in a customer service role

Essential

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Good communication skills both written & verbal

Essential

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well as part of a team

Essential

Ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Partnership, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

NBI Partnership

The NBI Partnership provides non-scientific services to the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). All of these organisations carry out scientific research funded by the UK Government, European Union, Charitable and Industrial Sponsors. The Partnership employs around 140 staff to cater for the needs of approximately 1100 Research Staff, Students and Visiting Scientists who are all located in close proximity on the Norwich Research Park.

The John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory are registered charities (No’s 223852, 1058499, 1136213 and 106550) and are Equal Opportunity Employers.

For more information about working at NBI Partnership, please click here.

Department

Purchasing

Group Details

Working in the Purchasing department

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Purchasing Assistant

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for a Purchasing Assistant to join their busy Purchasing department.

Background:

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes are a cluster of internationally renowned research organisations, working to tackle major challenges of the 21st Century – the sustainability of our environment, our food supplies and healthy ageing. 

The NBI Partnership provides high quality, non-scientific support services for the diverse community of staff, students and visiting workers at the Institutes (the Earlham Institute, John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury Laboratory and Quadram Institute Bioscience) and for the NBI Partnership.

Based on the Norwich Research Park amongst 230 hectares of parkland, you will be joining a committed, professional and welcoming team.  In addition, you will enjoy a competitive salary and annual leave, our defined contribution pension scheme, excellent recreational facilities and a range of other employee benefits.

The role:

The Purchasing Assistant will be an integral member of a small, efficient team, reporting directly to the Purchasing and Stores Manager. In this role, they will handle purchase requests and convert them into purchase orders for all Institutes on the Norwich Research Park, using phone, email, and online platforms.

The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate will deliver exceptional customer service while supporting scientists with their purchasing needs. Additionally, the role will include a range of administrative duties, such as filing, updating the supplier database, assisting with bi-annual stocktakes, and maintaining intranet pages.

Candidates should possess good knowledge of purchasing procedures and processes, and recent experience of working in a purchasing environment.

Excellent customer service, communication and interpersonal skills are essential.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £23,493 to £25,400 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post offered on an indefinite basis.

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.

The NBI Partnership is an equal opportunities and disability confident employer. We are committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining the best talent, and welcome all applications.

The closing date for applications will be 30 April 2025