Purchasing Administrator, Makefast

Vacancy – Purchasing Administrator

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

Terms: Permanent / Full Time

Hours: 38 hours per week

Location: Newtown, Powys

Reporting to: Senior Buyer

Makefast is a leading UK engineering and manufacturing company, supplying innovative products to the luxury marine and safety industries. With over 100 employees across three sites in Mid Wales, we are committed to quality, innovation and investing in our people.

We’re looking for an organised and proactive Purchasing Administrator to support the day-to‑day purchasing function, working closely with the Senior Buyer and internal departments to ensure materials, components and services are ordered and available in line with production requirements.

The role will also support the accuracy and maintenance of purchasing, stock and product data within our ERP/MRP systems. As the role develops, there will be an increased focus on supporting Production Manufacturing with purchasing activities and manufacturing data.

Purchasing Administration

• Support the Senior Buyer with day-to-day purchasing administration.
• Process purchase orders and purchasing actions within the ERP/MRP system.
• Issue purchase orders to suppliers and maintain accurate purchasing records.
• Monitor outstanding orders and follow up with suppliers regarding delivery dates.
• Maintain supplier lead times, pricing and other relevant purchasing information.
• Obtain quotations from existing suppliers when required.
• Support the setup and maintenance of purchased parts and supplier records.

Supplier & Order Support

• Liaise with suppliers regarding purchase orders, deliveries and routine queries.
• Monitor delivery dates and communicate potential delays or supply issues.
• Assist with expediting orders to support production requirements.
• Liaise with Stores, Planning and Production regarding stock availability and purchasing queries.
• Escalate significant supplier, pricing or delivery issues to the Senior Buyer.

ERP/MRP & Data Administration

• Maintain accurate purchasing, supplier, stock and product information within company systems.
• Check and validate information before system updates.
• Support the maintenance of purchased‑part parameters, lead times and pricing.
• Assist with part information and manufacturing data updates as experience develops.
• Produce reports, spreadsheets and purchasing information as required.
• Identify and investigate data discrepancies and support corrective updates.

Production & Manufacturing Support

• Work closely with Production Manufacturing, Planning, Stores and other departments to support purchasing and material requirements.
• Develop an understanding of manufacturing processes, materials and components.
• Support the accuracy and maintenance of manufacturing information within the ERP/MRP system.
• Assist with system data updates affecting purchasing, stock, planning or production.
• Contribute to improvements in purchasing, data and administrative processes.

Education / Qualifications

• Good standard of general education, including Maths and English.
• Business Administration, Purchasing, Supply Chain or similar qualification (Desirable).

Knowledge / Skills / Experience

• Strong administrative and organisational skills.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Confident using Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Outlook and Word.
• Ability to organise and prioritise workload effectively.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable working with numerical and system-based information.
• Ability to identify discrepancies and solve routine problems.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems, particularly Epicor (Desirable).
• Experience with in purchasing, procurement or supply chain administration (Desirable).
• Experience…