At a Glance
- Tasks: Source engineering materials and services for a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join Ifor Williams Trailers, a family-owned business with a rich heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, competitive salary, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Work in beautiful North Wales, close to stunning landscapes and vibrant cities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role that supports innovative manufacturing.
- Qualifications: Experience in purchasing within manufacturing and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Role type: Permanent
Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm Office based with local travel between sites as required
33 days holiday per year
About the role
As a busy manufacturer producing a wide range of highly demanded products across our manufacturing sites in Cynwyd, Corwen, Deeside, Sandycroft and Boundary Park, we are looking for capable and effective individuals to deliver a top‑quality Purchasing service to the business. As a Purchasing Professional at Ifor Williams Trailers, you will play a critical role in competitively sourcing engineering materials and key services from a global supply base, ensuring materials and services are delivered on time, to the right quality and at the right cost to support our fast‑moving assembly operations. You will work collaboratively on site with Design Engineers and Manufacturing Managers, within a refocused and highly operational Purchasing team, and will be expected to take ownership of supplier performance and commercial outcomes that directly support our core business objectives.
What you will be responsible for:
- Competitively sourcing specified engineering materials from a global supply base, aligned to technical and commercial requirements.
- Competitively sourcing a range of services required to support the smooth operation of a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
- Ensuring all specified supply parameters are clearly defined, contractually agreed and consistently delivered by suppliers to support assembly line requirements.
- Negotiating commercial agreements that deliver strong cost, service and supply performance aligned to business objectives.
- Managing material sources to ensure delivery to assembly lines on time, in full and at the right quality standard, whilst meeting business cost parameters.
- Working closely with Design Engineers and Manufacturing Managers to ensure purchased materials and services meet technical and operational needs.
- Acting rapidly and autonomously to resolve commercial or supply issues that may disrupt production or impact business objectives.
- Supporting continuous improvement within the Purchasing function through better supplier performance, cost control and process discipline.
What we are looking for:
- Strong Purchasing experience within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
- The ability to confidently communicate technical material and service requirements to a wide variety of suppliers.
- Proven capability in supplier management to achieve delivery, quality and cost targets.
- Commercially astute, with experience negotiating supplier agreements that deliver measurable business value.
- The ability to act decisively and independently to resolve supply or commercial issues under pressure.
- A collaborative mindset, comfortable working cross‑functionally within engineering, manufacturing and operations teams.
The behaviours that matter most:
- Ownership and accountability. You take responsibility for supplier performance and purchasing outcomes, acting decisively when issues arise.
- Commercial mindset. You balance cost, quality and supply risk to deliver outcomes aligned to business objectives.
- Speed and decisiveness. You act quickly to resolve problems that could impact production or customer delivery.
- Clear communication. You engage confidently and professionally with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Continuous improvement focus. You look for better ways of working, strengthening supplier relationships and delivering sustained performance gains.
Why IWT
A family‑owned business with the heritage and stability of a family firm and the scale and complexity to genuinely test a senior site leader. Founded in 1958, with five advanced manufacturing sites across North Wales, and with customers across the UK, Europe and beyond. The role offers real breadth multi‑line assembly, process‑plant operations, finishing, people development and operational performance all under one site leader. North Wales is an outstanding place to live and work, with the coast and Eryri (Snowdonia) on the doorstep and Liverpool and Manchester just over an hour away. We offer a competitive senior‑leadership salary, pension, genuine investment in continuing professional development, and a leadership role with real authority and the resources to deliver against it.
Purchasing Professional - Boundary Park employer: Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd
Ifor Williams Trailers is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where Purchasing Professionals can thrive. With a strong focus on employee development and a collaborative culture, you will have the opportunity to engage with cross-functional teams while enjoying generous benefits such as 33 days of holiday and a competitive salary. Located in the picturesque North Wales, employees benefit from a stunning natural landscape and proximity to major cities, making it an ideal place for both personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Purchasing Professional - Boundary Park
✨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 to meet potential employers and get insider info on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their supply chain and purchasing needs so you can showcase how your skills align with their objectives during the chat.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since you'll be dealing with suppliers, being able to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively can set you apart from other candidates. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Purchasing Professional - Boundary Park
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Purchasing Professional role. Highlight your relevant experience in sourcing materials and managing suppliers, as well as any achievements that demonstrate your commercial acumen.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Use specific examples from your past experiences to show how you meet the requirements listed in the job description, especially your ability to negotiate and manage supplier relationships.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since clear communication is key in this role, make sure your application reflects your ability to engage with various stakeholders. Use professional language and structure your application clearly to demonstrate your communication prowess.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your purchasing experience, especially in manufacturing or engineering. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've sourced materials and negotiated supplier agreements. This will show that you understand the role and can hit the ground running.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be working closely with Design Engineers and Manufacturing Managers, practice articulating technical material requirements clearly. Think about how you can convey complex information simply and effectively, as this will be key in your interactions with both suppliers and internal teams.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Ability
Prepare to share instances where you've acted quickly to resolve supply issues. Highlight your ability to make decisions under pressure and how those decisions positively impacted production. This will showcase your ownership and accountability, which are crucial for the role.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Think about ways you've contributed to improving supplier performance or cost control in previous roles. Be ready to discuss your approach to continuous improvement and how you can bring that mindset to Ifor Williams Trailers. This will align well with their focus on better ways of working.
