At the end of August, we’ll be saying goodbye to someone very special—Steph Dixon, our amazing Buyer, who is heading into a well-earned retirement after years of hard work, dedication, and laughter here at JC Metalworks.
Steph has played a big part in shaping the way we do things, and more importantly, in bringing people together. As she gets ready for her next adventure, we sat down with her to reflect on her time here and what she’s looking forward to.
From Defence to JC Metalworks
Steph brought with her a wealth of buying experience, including time spent in the defence sector. She joined JC Metalworks not just for a better salary and a shorter commute, but for the opportunity to contribute to a growing company where she could really make a difference—and that’s exactly what she did.
Driving Change and Building Process
One of Steph’s most notable contributions has been leading the transition from E2i to MIE Trak Pro in the purchasing department. Not only did she champion the change, but she was fully responsible for setting up and running the new system—laying a foundation that will benefit the team long after she’s gone.
Process-driven to her core, Steph brought a level of organisation to the department that hadn’t been seen before. Her strict adherence to well-defined systems became a blueprint for operational success for our purchasing department.
Team Spirit and Company Events
When Steph first started, she also helped with sales orders as part of the commercial team. Later, she moved into a full-time buying role and began working more closely with the engineering department.
She was part of our events team and loved bringing everyone together for events and celebrations. She helped organise everything from team-building days and Christmas fuddles (our festive food-sharing tradition) to company dinners.
Even during the busiest times, she made sure the events were well planned—proving that she really cared about keeping the team connected.
People, Partnerships, and Personal Touches
Steph’s excellent negotiating skills, combined with her close collaboration with Jake from the engineering team, led to significant cost savings across multiple projects. Her ability to communicate clearly, understand supplier dynamics, and work strategically under pressure made her a key contributor to the company’s bottom line.
She also shared how helpful and supportive her suppliers have been over the years, with most deliveries arriving on time—thanks to those good relationships and clear communication.
When asked what she will miss most, Steph says, “the people.” She has developed caring working relationships with engineers and shop floor operatives, as well as personal bonds with colleagues, including Steve, Bekki, Jake, Fran, Alan, Duane, Ana and many others. These genuine friendships have made every workday enjoyable for her.
She fondly recalls monthly commercial meetings, where her “highlight and opportunity” updates were famously more personal than professional—often to everyone’s amusement. And, of course, she’ll never forget David’s legendary dad jokes!
Since moving over to the Operations team Steph has enjoyed working with the Engineering team and the friendly banter enjoyed by all.
Advice from our Seasoned Buyer
Steph leaves behind a few pearls of wisdom for those stepping into her shoes:
- Listen and learn.
- Don’t get too close to suppliers—it makes it hard to say no.
- Prioritise tasks. A daily list helped her stay focused.
- Tackle the tough jobs first.
- And most importantly, collaborate with the shop floor to truly understand the projects you’re supporting.
Steph attributes much of her success to the support and collaboration of those around her, including the senior management team. She especially values the increased hands-on approach from Jason, noting that his active involvement in key decisions has had a positive influence on the business. She also reflects warmly on Neil’s guidance during her early days at JC Metalworks, describing him as a supportive and steady manager. In addition, she appreciates Phil’s consistent willingness to help, which made a real difference in her day-to-day work.
What’s Next? Crafting, Cruising, and Grandkids
Steph is looking forward to a new chapter filled with creativity, adventure, and family time. She’s excited to spend more time with her grandchildren and finally get through the “hoards and hoards” of craft materials she’s collected over the years!
She and her husband are planning a two-month Mediterranean cruise, and after that, they’ll hit the road in their camper van to explore all of Norway and Italy.
A Final Message
As she heads off to new adventures, Steph leaves us with one simple, heartfelt message:
“Although I’m excited for tomorrow, I also feel sad to say goodbye. I am going to miss everyone. I have some lovely memories of my relatively short time here. I wish everyone the best of luck going forwards and don’t miss me too much!”
Thank you, Steph, for everything. You’ve not only shaped the way we buy, but the way we work together. You’ll be deeply missed—and always part of the JC Metalworks family.
