Purchasing Assistant

📍 Location: Lyon, France

Want to contribute to purchasing performance in a dynamic environment?

At James Walker, we engineer world-class sealing solutions for the most demanding applications across renewable power generation, chemical processing, marine, and heavy industries.

We are looking for a Purchasing Assistant who will play a key role between our external suppliers, the sales team, and our logistics platform. You will take on several strategic responsibilities.

What You'll Do – Your Mission:

As a Purchasing Assistant, you will take on new challenges and leverage your excellent interpersonal skills and strong organizational abilities. You work autonomously, proactively, and demonstrate genuine technical curiosity.

Your key responsibilities include:

Consulting suppliers:

• Analyse requests from the sales department.

• Identify and consult potential suppliers.

• Challenge suppliers on pricing compared to historical rates, where applicable.

Processing purchase orders in line with the Group’s procurement policy:

• Create and issue purchase orders based on internal requests, in compliance with existing procedures.

• Negotiate with suppliers for any order exceeding an amount defined with your manager.

• Send purchase orders to suppliers.

Monitoring ongoing orders, deliveries, and receipts:

• Review contracts and record supplier order acknowledgements (OA).

• Update prices and delivery dates when necessary.

• Follow up on missing order acknowledgements.

• Communicate changes (price, lead time, etc.) to the Customer Service / Sales Administration (ADV) team.

• Track and manage supplier compliance with delivery deadlines.

• Verify correct system receipt of deliveries at the logistics platform.

• Manage non-conformities via our internal software system.

What You Bring:

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Strong organizational skills and effective priority management

• Autonomous, proactive, with a strong sense of initiative

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to liaise with suppliers and internal teams

• Adaptability and versatility in a dynamic environment

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and ERP systems

• Applicants must have native-level proficiency in French and professional level of English

• Technical curiosity and understanding of purchasing and supply chain processes

• Analytical mindset and ability to structure information

Why James Walker?

We’re a globally trusted name with over a century of engineering excellence. At James Walker, you’ll:

• Join a market leader trusted by major global industries

• Get autonomy, flexibility, and real ownership over your work

• Have access to training, support, and career advancement opportunities

James Walker Values and Behaviours

Our values and ethos are central to the way we do business. They help to shape the culture of James Walker by defining the behaviors we expect from each other and guiding us in how we make decisions.

Treat others as they would like to be treated

Share your experiences and always welcome feedback

Earn people’s trust; see things from their point of view

Never stop learning; recognise failure and celebrate success

Understand our customers and what they need

Be an expert in what you do

Give your work the personal touch, showing people, you enjoy what you do

Deliver great service and make someone’s day

If something goes wrong, amaze people with a dazzling recovery

Make things happen and give it your best

Get it right first time and never pass on a fault

Keep your promises

Inspire others by the way you do things

Never be afraid to try something new

Ask yourself, “is this my best?”

🚀 Ready to Elevate Your Career?

If you’re ready to take your experience to the next level in a dynamic, industrial environment, we want to hear from you.

📩 Apply HERE.