Stores, Despatch & Purchasing Operative

Arrange and coordinate the organisation, receipt, storage and despatch of goods in an orderly and timely manner. Work as part of the Purchasing and Stores team, providing operational purchasing support through stock replenishment purchase orders, supplier liaison, order acknowledgement processing and expediting, while maintaining accurate stock and purchasing records.

Job requirements

• Competent user of Microsoft Office products, particularly Excel and Word.
• Experience of using stock control and purchasing systems such as Sage is desirable.
• Good written and spoken English and ability to communicate clearly with colleagues and suppliers.
• Good working knowledge of stock control, goods receipt, despatch and purchase order processing.
• Knowledge of component parts used in Pharma and Medical equipment is advantageous.
• Forklift truck licence or willingness to undertake appropriate training, where required.

Need to
• Liaise and collaborate across departments and with external suppliers and delivery agents.
• Work under own initiative with minimum supervision and escalate issues appropriately.
• Prioritise daily activities to support material availability, production and delivery requirements.
• Work logically and maintain accurate records and disciplined data management.
• Analyse and resolve routine stock, order and delivery issues within the role’s authority.
• Identify cost-saving and process-improvement opportunities and refer them to the Purchasing Manager.
• Maintain focus and accuracy when working under pressure or balancing competing priorities.

Job responsibilities

Stores and Stock Control
• Receive goods, ensuring all items delivered are correct to order, in good condition and booked into the computer system, with relevant personnel notified.
• Issue goods from the stock system to production, installation and service personnel.
• Maintain accurate stock records, including Medical WIP sheets, the service register, van stock and USA stock records.
• Ensure items are correctly identified and labelled in stores and shop-floor areas with stock codes and job numbers.
• Accurately return unused items to stock and update the computer system.
• Maintain agreed stock levels by reviewing Sage reorder reports and inventory requirements.
• Undertake regular stocktake and stock reconciliation exercises.
• Prepare stock kit lists for Medical WIP and Pharma-specific jobs and book parts to the correct job numbers.
Purchasing Support (As Needed)
• Raise purchase orders for stock replenishment and other approved material requirements in accordance with company procedures and authorisation limits.
• Process supplier order acknowledgements and update confirmed delivery dates and relevant information in Sage and purchasing records.
• Monitor open purchase orders and proactively expedite deliveries to support production, service and project requirements.
• Escalate overdue, delayed or business-critical supplier deliveries to the Purchasing Manager.
• Liaise with suppliers regarding delivery schedules, order confirmations, shortages and material availability.
• Maintain purchasing registers, electronic filing and hyperlinks associated with purchase orders.
• Assist with supplier price changes, commodity codes and country-of-origin information.
• Ensure Certificates of Conformity, material certificates and other requested quality documentation are obtained and retained.
• Produce purchase orders for specific jobs and provide appropriate cover during team member holidays / absence.
Despatch and Logistics
• Coordinate despatch and collection of goods to installation sites and customers, ensuring suitable packaging and protection.
• Liaise with approved couriers and suppliers to achieve best value and appropriate delivery performance.
• Produce company delivery notes and maintain the delivery register.
• Operate a forklift truck, where authorised and required, to load and unload deliveries.
Communication and Department Support
• Maintain communication with Production, Project Managers, Service and Finance regarding delivery status, shortages and material availability.
• Attend and actively participate in weekly Medical production meetings.
• Undertake general administration and any other reasonable request supporting the department.

Benefits

Free parking – Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Pay – Flexible / Hybrid Working – Wellbeing Allowance – Medicash Healthcare Plan

Additional Benefits: Critical illness scheme – Death in service cover – Electric Car Salary Sacrifice – Cycle to work scheme – Employee assistance scheme – Pension scheme after 3 months employment – Company sick pay

About Us

Air it’s a wonderful thing. And at Howorth, we should know. For over 160 years we’ve studied it. Inhaled and exhaled it. Developed pioneering new ways to clean it, control it, climatise it and contain it.

We understand what it does and how it flows. We know how it moves through operating theatres and clinical areas, pharmaceutical, biotech and chemical manufacturing equipment and environments. Read more

Our Culture

At Howorth Air Tech we believe in the power of people and there are three values that underpin everything we do as an organisation.

• Integrity: You take ownership and accountability, and you value openness.
• Collaboration: You work with others to achieve shared goals.
• Excellence: You strive to deliver high-quality service with a ‘can-do’ attitude.

These values reinforce our organisational purpose: to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. We are committed to fostering a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). We believe that embracing different perspectives fuels innovation and strengthens our team. We actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences, ensuring equal opportunities for growth and advancement.

Our commitment to DEI is evident in our hiring practices, workplace policies, and ongoing efforts to cultivate a culture where every employee feels a sense of belonging. Visit our join the team page.