At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate purchasing and production to ensure timely availability of materials and components.
- Company: Apex Pumps, a leading British manufacturer of high-performance centrifugal pumps.
- Benefits: Early finish on Fridays, profit share bonus, 33 days leave, and life assurance.
- Other info: Opportunities for continuous improvement and career growth in a stable company.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and make a real impact in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing, purchasing, or production planning; strong organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 34650 - 42350 £ per year.
Bristol, United Kingdom | Posted on 08/25/2026
At Apex Pumps, the company has been designing and manufacturing high-performance centrifugal pumps in Bristol for over 35 years.
Proudly Made in Britain, Apex Pumps provides innovative pumping solutions to customers across a wide range of industries where quality, reliability and precision are essential.
As the company continues to grow and develop its manufacturing capability, it is looking for an organised, proactive and commercially aware Production & Purchasing Coordinator to join its team.
This is a key role within the business, helping to ensure that materials, components and purchased items are available when required and that production orders remain on schedule.
The Role
Working closely with the Production Team, Engineering, Stores and suppliers, the Production & Purchasing Coordinator will coordinate purchasing and material requirements while monitoring production progress against the manufacturing plan.
The successful candidate will play an important role in identifying potential delays, resolving material shortages and ensuring accurate information is maintained within the company's SAP/MRP systems.
Requirements
Key Responsibilities
- Review Bills of Materials (BOMs) and determine appropriate make-or-buy requirements.
- Raise and manage purchase orders and production orders in accordance with customer and production requirements.
- Monitor production orders against the production plan and identify potential risks to delivery.
- Work closely with the Production Team to understand order status, priorities and potential delays.
- Liaise with suppliers to obtain order acknowledgements, delivery dates and progress updates.
- Proactively chase outstanding purchase orders and escalation potential delays where necessary.
- Identify material shortages and work with relevant departments and suppliers to resolve issues.
- Order components, materials, tooling and equipment required to support production.
- Support the resolution of supplier and purchasing-related invoice queries.
- Review and monitor stock and material levels to ensure availability for planned production.
- Maintain accurate stock, purchasing and production information within SAP.
- Utilise MRP functionality to identify material requirements and support effective production planning.
- Update and maintain the production plan and relevant ERP/MRP information.
- Provide regular feedback to the Production Team regarding material availability and potential delivery risks.
- Develop effective working relationships with suppliers and internal departments.
- Support continuous improvement of purchasing, planning and material control processes.
- About the Ideal Candidate
Apex Pumps is looking for someone who is organised, methodical and proactive, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a busy manufacturing environment.
The successful candidate will ideally have
- Experience working within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
- Experience in purchasing, procurement, production planning, materials control or a similar role.
- Experience using MRP/ERP systems, ideally SAP Business One.
- Strong numerical and analytical skills.
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
- Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to work.
- Strong communication skills and the confidence to liaise with suppliers and internal teams.
- A positive, proactive and solutions-focused approach.
- The ability to remain organised and effective when priorities change.
- The confidence to escalation potential delays where necessary when delivery or production is at risk.
- A strong team ethic and willingness to work collaboratively across the business.
- What Apex Pumps Offers
- Early finish every Friday (13:00)
- Discretionary six-monthly profit share bonus
- 33 days annual leave (including bank and public holidays)
- Life Assurance – 2 x annual salary
- Modern, well-equipped manufacturing environment
- Stable, full-time permanent employment with an established British manufacturer
- Supportive team culture with opportunities to contribute to continuous improvement
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Production & Purchasing Coordinator employer: Made in Group
Apex Pumps is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant city of Bristol, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Employees benefit from comprehensive growth opportunities, hands-on experience in manufacturing processes, and a supportive environment that values teamwork and professional development. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on employee well-being, Apex Pumps stands out as a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production & Purchasing Coordinator
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
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We think you need these skills to ace Production & Purchasing Coordinator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Made in Group specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Made in Group
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Made in Group, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Made in Group value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
