Purchasing Manager

Pontefract
5 days ago
Create job alert

Purchasing Manager
Site Based, commutable from Leeds, Hudderfield, 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.

Cressida Consulting Ltd is acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this vacancy. All applications will be handled in accordance with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. By applying for this role, you consent to your data being processed and stored for recruitment purposes. You can request to have your data removed at any time.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; sponsorship is not available for this position

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Operations Manager

Procurement Manager

Area Sales Manager

Engineering Project Manager

Area Sales Manager

Area Sales Manager

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

How Many Robotics Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a Robotics Job?

If you’re pursuing a career in robotics, it can feel like the list of tools you should learn never ends. One job advert asks for ROS, another mentions Gazebo, another wants experience with Python, Linux, C++, RobotStudio, MATLAB/Simulink, perception stacks, control frameworks, real-time OS, vision libraries — and that’s just scratching the surface. With so many frameworks, languages and platforms, it’s no wonder robotics job seekers feel overwhelmed. But here’s the honest truth most recruiters won’t say explicitly: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every tool — they hire you because you can apply the right tools to solve real robotics problems reliably and explain your reasoning clearly. Tools matter — but only in service of outcomes. So the real question isn’t how many tools you should know, but which tools you should master and why. For most robotics roles, the answer is significantly fewer — and far more focused — than you might assume. This article breaks down what employers really expect, which tools are core, which are role-specific, and how to focus your learning so you look capable, confident, and ready to contribute from day one.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Robotics Job Applications (UK Guide)

Robotics is one of the most dynamic, interdisciplinary fields in technology — blending mechanical systems, embedded software, controls, perception (AI/vision), modelling, simulation and systems integration. Hiring managers in this space are highly selective because robotics teams need people who can solve real-world problems under constraints, work across disciplines, and deliver safe, reliable systems. And here’s the reality: hiring managers do not read every word of your CV. Like in many tech domains, they scan quickly — often forming a judgement in the first 10–20 seconds. In robotics, those first signals are especially important because the work is complex and there’s a wide range of candidate backgrounds. This guide unpacks exactly what hiring managers look for first in robotics applications and how to optimise your CV, portfolio and cover letter so you stand out in the UK market.

The Skills Gap in Robotics Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Robotics is no longer confined to science fiction or isolated research labs. Today, robots perform critical tasks across manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, agriculture, defence, hospitality and even education. In the UK, businesses are embracing automation to improve productivity, reduce costs and tackle labour shortages. Yet despite strong interest and a growing number of university programmes in robotics, many employers report a persistent problem: graduates are not job-ready for real-world robotics roles. This is not a question of intelligence or dedication. It is a widening skills gap between what universities teach and what employers actually need in robotics jobs. In this article, we’ll explore that gap in depth — what universities do well, where their programmes often fall short, why the disconnect exists, what employers really want, and how you can bridge the divide to build a thriving career in robotics.