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- Tasks: Join our Purchasing team to negotiate and manage orders for innovative engineering components.
- Company: FORDS, a leader in packaging innovation with a century of trusted reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, early Friday finish, 25 days holiday, and life insurance.
- Other info: Flexible hours available, with opportunities for part-time work.
- Why this job: Make an impact in procurement while working with cutting-edge technology and a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Experience in purchasing within engineering, strong IT skills, and understanding of manufacturing processes.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for an Engineering Buyer to join our Purchasing team on a 6-month basis, covering Maternity Leave. The postholder will play a pivotal role in continuing to drive Procurement Activity across the business in 2026. As part of Ford's purchasing team, your main objectives will be to negotiate and place orders for machined components and other direct products, ensuring that delivery and quality requirements are maintained by suppliers to meet project deadlines. You will support the department with the implementation of new strategies, policies, and procedures, and become a key stakeholder in the supply chain management process within Fords. This role is open to full and part-time applications, with a minimum of consideration of 27.5 hours and/or 4 days per week. Please outline in your application what working hours and pattern you will be looking for.
The Company
FORDS is an award-winning design and manufacturing business and world leader in packaging innovation and technology. We design and develop unique foil closures, and build cutting edge machinery that delivers, applies, and seals them to all manner of products. For a century Fords has built a trusted reputation for providing innovative and creative sealing solutions to the biggest brands in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical and personal care industries.
Key Duties
- Supporting the Purchasing team in the procurement of all materials from the external supply chain.
- Ensuring that all procured manufactured materials from the external supply chain meet quality, delivery and cost targets.
- Identification and conversion of requirements from MRP, BOMs and drawings through to the receipt of conforming parts into stores.
- Requesting quotations.
- Analysing quotations and selecting suppliers.
- Leading negotiations with suppliers to achieve cost reductions.
- Working with suppliers to organise the return of any faulty parts.
- Maintaining and developing relationships with supply base.
- Creating and maintaining supply agreements.
- Assisting the development of all key suppliers and maintaining supplier KPI's.
- Driving forward quality improvements and compliance within the supply base.
- Raising purchase orders.
- Expediting orders, ensuring delivery dates achieved.
- Working with Finance to resolve all invoice related queries.
- Supporting and working closely with Engineering and Design departments on new projects and new concepts.
- Supporting Commercial team with cost calculations on new enquiries.
- Dealing with requests direct from inhouse mechanical assembly and precision engineering technicians.
- Support the Purchasing team in making improvements in purchasing processes which will ensure efficiencies are met within the business.
- Carry out any such tasks as required from time to time, provided they are within the competence of the postholder.
Skills/Experience
- Proven purchasing experience within an engineering/manufacturing environment.
- Understanding of engineering drawings.
- A basic understanding of manufacturing processes.
- Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
- Experience in ERP/MRP systems.
- Contractual and commercial awareness.
- Full clean driving licence.
Person Specification
- Highly proactive and enthusiastic.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong working relationships with the supply chain and internal departments.
- Confident and assertive when needed, strong influencing skills.
- A real team player, collaborative and inclusive.
- Ability to independently problem solve and make decisions.
- Strong attention to detail, with impeccable thorough and accurate approach.
- Highly organised and able to prioritise workloads.
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work under pressure.
Remuneration
- Competitive Early Friday finish - 37 hour (full time) working week (Monday to Thursday 8.00am - 4.30pm, Friday 8.00am - 1.00pm)
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays - pro-rated for part time employees
- Company life insurance x 6 times
- Pension 5%
- Access to Independent Financial Adviser
- Office based - at our newly refurbished office in Kempston, Bedfordshire.
Engineering Buyer - FTC Maternity Cover in Bedford employer: FORDS Packaging Systems Ltd
Contact Detail:
FORDS Packaging Systems Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Buyer - FTC Maternity Cover in Bedford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. 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 researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and recent projects. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As an Engineering Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to sharpen those skills before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our awesome team at Fords.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Buyer - FTC Maternity Cover in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Engineering Buyer role. Highlight your relevant experience in purchasing within an engineering or manufacturing environment, and don’t forget to mention your understanding of engineering drawings!
Show Off Your Skills: We want to see your excellent IT skills and experience with ERP/MRP systems. Be sure to include specific examples of how you've used these tools in your previous roles to drive procurement success.
Be Clear About Your Availability: Since this role is open to full and part-time applications, let us know your preferred working hours and pattern right from the start. This helps us understand how you can fit into our team!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people quickly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our awesome team at Fords!
How to prepare for a job interview at FORDS Packaging Systems Ltd
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of procurement processes, especially in an engineering context. Be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully negotiated with suppliers and managed quality control in past roles.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Engineering Drawings
Since understanding engineering drawings is essential for this role, take some time to review basic concepts. You might be asked to explain how you interpret these drawings in relation to procurement, so having a few examples from your experience can really help.
✨Showcase Your IT Skills
Make sure you’re comfortable discussing your experience with Microsoft Office and any ERP/MRP systems you've used. Prepare to give specific examples of how you’ve utilised these tools to improve purchasing processes or manage supplier relationships.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
This role requires collaboration with various departments, so be prepared to share examples of how you’ve worked effectively in teams. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve built strong relationships with both internal teams and external suppliers.