Join a thriving independent school where your financial expertise and purchasing skills will make a real impact in supporting education excellence.

Finance and Purchasing Officer
Maidenhead, SL6 6AW

Full time, 40 hours per week (Monday – Friday)
Permanent position, all year round
Competitive salary

Please Note: Applicants must be authorised to work in the UK

Claires Court is a leading independent, all-through diamond-structured school, educating boys and girls from Nursery through to Sixth Form. With a strong learning philosophy, the Claires Court Essentials, and values that emphasise respect, loyalty, integrity and responsibility, we develop happy, motivated young people with confidence and self-belief. Our staff play a vital role in shaping an enriching environment where pupils can thrive both academically and personally.

The Role

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Finance and Purchasing Officer to join our Finance Team. This varied position offers the chance to combine strong financial acumen with commercial awareness, ensuring our purchasing processes deliver best value while supporting the wider finance function of the school.

Key Responsibilities:

Oversee the day-to-day purchasing function across all school sites
Drive continuous improvements, including automation of purchasing processes
Review purchase requests, source reliable suppliers, and negotiate the best deals
Raise and record purchase orders, manage invoices, credits, and supplier statements
Maintain accurate purchasing and finance records, databases, and catalogues
Conduct competitive price analyses and prepare quarterly reports on savings
Manage supplier accounts, contracts, and purchasing credit card reconciliations
Ensure compliance with VAT and regulatory requirements
Support the Head of Finance with wider financial operations and analysis

Benefits

A positive and supportive working environment
Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
The chance to contribute to the success of a respected independent school
Regular interaction with a collaborative and friendly team

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be an organised, analytical professional who can balance efficiency with excellent communication and stakeholder management. About you:

Minimum two years’ experience in a finance office, ideally in a purchasing role
Strong numeracy and intermediate Excel/database skills
Commercial awareness and ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers
Excellent organisational skills and eye for detail
Confident communicator with strong interpersonal skills
Team player with a proactive, problem-solving approach
Flexible, reliable, and committed to continuous improvement
Professional, approachable, and aligned with our safeguarding responsibilities

If you’re looking for a rewarding finance and purchasing role within the education sector, we’d love to hear from you.

How to apply for the role:

If you have the skills and experience required for this position, click “apply” today and check your inbox for an email providing more information on how to complete your application and provide any other supporting documents.

Closing Date: 29th September 2025

You must be authorised to work in the UK. No agencies please.

Other suitable skills and experience include Finance Officer, Purchasing Officer, Procurement Specialist, Accounts Payable Clerk, Finance Administrator, Buying Assistant, Credit Controller, Procurement Coordinator, Finance Assistant, Accounts Officer