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For Companies At a Glance
- 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 working hours available, with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving procurement strategies and making an impact.
- Qualifications: Proven purchasing experience in engineering, strong IT skills, and contract awareness.
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 England 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 England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering and manufacturing 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 researching Ford's purchasing strategies and recent projects. Show us that you understand their needs and how you can contribute to their goals. Tailor your responses to highlight your experience with procurement and supplier management.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply; follow up! After submitting your application through our website, drop a quick email to the hiring manager expressing your enthusiasm for the role. It shows initiative and keeps you on their radar.
✨Tip Number 4
Practice your negotiation skills! As an Engineering Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build your confidence before the real deal.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Buyer - FTC Maternity Cover in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Engineering Buyer role. Highlight your purchasing experience, especially in engineering or manufacturing environments, and showcase any relevant skills that match the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the role. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to negotiate and manage supplier relationships effectively.
Be Clear About Your Availability: Since this role is open to full and part-time applications, be upfront about your preferred working hours and pattern. This helps us understand how you can fit into our team right from the start!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at FORDS Packaging Systems Ltd
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially in an engineering context. Understand the key principles of negotiating and placing orders for machined components, as well as how to analyse quotations effectively.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Engineering Drawings
Since understanding engineering drawings is essential for this role, take some time to review basic concepts. Being able to discuss these confidently during the interview will show that you're prepared and knowledgeable.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
This role requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Prepare examples of how you've built strong relationships with suppliers or internal teams in the past, and be ready to demonstrate your ability to influence and negotiate.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Problem-Solving
Think of specific instances where you've had to independently solve problems or make decisions under pressure. This will highlight your proactive nature and ability to adapt, which are crucial for success in this position.