Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Take charge of purchasing, negotiate with suppliers, and manage costs in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Company: Leading automation and engineering business focused on bespoke industrial machinery.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and the chance to work with cutting-edge technology.
- Other info: Join a close-knit team and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment where your decisions drive production success.
- Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing engineering and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Site Based, commutable from Leeds, Huddersfield, Barnsley, Wakefield, Bradford.
Automation & Machinery Manufacturing
I’m working with a specialist automation and engineering business that designs and builds bespoke industrial machinery. Operating at the forefront of automation, they deliver precision-engineered systems combining mechanical design, controls integration and in-house manufacturing capability.
This is an engineering-led SME where purchasing directly influences delivery, margin and production flow. Projects are BOM-driven, technically complex and often fast-moving. When purchasing works well, the business runs smoothly. When it doesn’t, everyone feels it.
You will take full ownership of purchasing across projects. That includes negotiating with suppliers, managing cost and lead time, protecting margin and aligning material availability with workshop capacity across fabrication, machining and assembly. Purchasing volumes can be significant during peak periods, covering everything from consumables and fabricated components through to high-value automation equipment and robotics.
The company operates a structured system that converts BOMs into purchase orders, but this role requires more than processing. It requires judgement, anticipation and commercial confidence in a technical environment.
This is a site-based role embedded within manufacturing. You will work closely with design and production teams, making decisions around outsourcing versus in-house capacity and preventing bottlenecks before they become crises.
Critically, this role requires someone with a production or manufacturing engineering background earlier in their career. You must understand drawings, tolerances, machining lead times and shop-floor realities. This is not suitable for someone who has only worked in corporate or indirect procurement.
You will need proven experience owning purchasing in a manufacturing environment, strong supplier negotiation skills and the ability to operate with calm authority within a close-knit engineering team.
If you enjoy being close to real machines, real production challenges and real commercial responsibility, this is worth a conversation.
Purchasing Manager in Pontefract employer: Cressida Consulting
Contact Detail:
Cressida Consulting Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Purchasing Manager in Pontefract
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the manufacturing and engineering sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge. Since this role is all about understanding BOMs and production processes, make sure you can discuss these confidently. We recommend practising common interview questions related to purchasing and supplier negotiation.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your past achievements in purchasing within a manufacturing environment. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage costs and lead times effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who thrive in dynamic environments like the one described in this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Purchasing Manager in Pontefract
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Purchasing Manager role. Highlight your experience in manufacturing and purchasing, especially any specific projects where you’ve made a real impact. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Showcase Your Negotiation Skills: In your application, don’t shy away from sharing examples of successful negotiations with suppliers. We’re looking for someone who can protect margins and manage costs effectively, so let us know how you've done this in the past!
Demonstrate Technical Understanding: Since this role is embedded within manufacturing, it’s crucial to show that you understand technical drawings, tolerances, and machining lead times. Use your application to illustrate your engineering background and how it relates to purchasing.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cressida Consulting
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of purchasing in a manufacturing environment. Understand the technical aspects like BOMs, machining lead times, and how they impact production flow. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can apply it practically.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations with suppliers where you’ve successfully managed costs and lead times. Be ready to discuss how you protected margins while ensuring material availability. This will demonstrate your commercial confidence and ability to make decisions under pressure.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with design and production teams, be prepared to talk about your experience in cross-functional collaboration. Highlight instances where you’ve prevented bottlenecks or improved processes through teamwork. This shows you understand the importance of communication in a close-knit engineering environment.
✨Bring Real-World Examples
Think of specific projects where you took ownership of purchasing and how it influenced delivery and production. Discuss challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This will help the interviewers see your practical experience and how you can contribute to their operations.