Key Skills

Job Description

Assistant Buyer – Product Development & Planning EastEco B.V. | Utrecht, Netherlands | Preferred start: January 2027 EastEco brings Korean food to retailers and foodservice customers across Europe. As our business grows, we are looking for an organised, proactive Assistant Buyer to help develop new products, coordinate with suppliers and keep our purchasing administration running smoothly. You will work closely with our Buyer and NPD/Quality Manager, supporting purchasing, demand planning and product development. Your work will help us move faster by keeping information organised, following up with suppliers and making sure projects and orders stay on track. What you’ll doPurchasing & Supplier Coordination Request quotations, product information, samples and production timelines from suppliers. Compare supplier offers, including prices, minimum order quantities, lead times and payment terms. Prepare purchase orders and follow up on order confirmations, production progress and delivery dates. Keep supplier records, price lists and purchasing information up to date. Track outstanding actions and follow up independently. Demand Planning & Reordering Maintain an overview of stock, incoming orders, sales forecasts and supplier lead times. Help prepare reorder proposals based on demand, promotions and new customer launches. Flag potential shortages, delays, excess stock and shelf-life risks early. Coordinate planning information with sales, operations and logistics. New Product Development Help research new products and manufacturers, with a focus on Korean and Asian food. Coordinate samples, tastings and feedback between suppliers and our internal teams. Maintain a clear overview of development projects, deadlines and next steps. Follow up on recipe changes, packaging development and product improvements. Collect the commercial, technical and logistics information needed to prepare products for launch. Cost Calculations & Product Administration Prepare and update cost-of-goods calculations, including purchase prices, freight, duties, packaging and other relevant costs. Compare sourcing options and calculate their impact on product costs and margins. Maintain accurate product information, including pack sizes, barcodes, carton dimensions, pallet configurations and shelf life. Keep purchasing and product data organised in our systems. Quality Administration Support the NPD/Quality Manager by collecting specifications, ingredient lists, allergen information, certificates and supplier declarations. Track missing documents and follow up with suppliers. Coordinate label and packaging information for review. Keep product files and document versions organised, with technical assessments and approvals handled by the NPD/Quality Manager. Who We’re Looking For You enjoy organising work, working with numbers and making sure tasks get finished. You are comfortable asking questions, following up for answers and keeping several projects moving at once. Relevant education or practical experience in purchasing, supply chain, food technology, business or a related field. Strong Excel or Google Sheets skills and confidence working with numbers. Good attention to detail and clear communication. A proactive approach: you notice what is missing and take action. The ability to prioritise, meet deadlines and keep others informed. Professional English; Korean language skills are a strong advantage for communicating with our suppliers. Interest in food, product development and international trade. Experience with an ERP system, such as Odoo, is an advantage. Recent graduates and candidates with initial relevant experience are welcome. Being organised, dependable and willing to learn matters to us. What We Offer A varied role in a growing international food business. Close collaboration with our Buyer and NPD/Quality Manager. Practical experience across purchasing, product development, demand planning and international sourcing. The opportunity to help bring new Korean food products to European shelves. Room to develop your skills and take on more responsibility. Salary based on your experience and responsibilities. Interested? Send your CV and a short introduction to [email protected], with the subject Assistant Buyer – EastEco. Tell us why this role interests you and when you would be available to start.

Core Responsibilities

Coordinate purchasing activities, supplier follow-ups, purchase orders, stock and reorder planning, and product cost calculations. Support new product development by coordinating samples, project information, product data, and quality documentation with suppliers and internal teams.

Requirements

Candidates should have relevant education or practical experience in purchasing, supply chain, food technology, business, or a related field, along with strong spreadsheet skills and numerical confidence. Attention to detail, clear communication, initiative, prioritization, and professional English are expected; Korean language skills and ERP experience such as Odoo are advantages.

Benefits

• Professional Development
• Opportunity To Take On More Responsibility