Direct Commodity Buyer

Position Title: Direct Commodity Buyer – Powertrain Components
Duration: 12-Month Contract
Location: Dunton, Essex

Direct Commodity Buyer – Powertrain Components. A great opportunity to work in commodity purchase with a supply base facing unprecedented levels of change with the move from internal combustion engines to EV/AV.

• Develop sourcing strategies for the transition from ICE to BEV to deliver best value outcomes for the business in value, quality, efficiency and capability.
• Perform benchmarking activities such as market tests to create and maintain a world-class supply base, following sourcing processes.
• Complete sourcing documentation in line with program timing and cost targets.
• Place production purchase and tool orders in accordance with purchasing procedure.
• Ensure suppliers have sufficient installed capacity to support client volumes.

• Quality:
  Monitor supplier quality performance against client expectations (working with Supplier Technical Assistance).
• Cost:
  Drive supplier performance to deliver non-design and design annual part cost reduction targets; lead cost recovery actions (e.g., warranty claims, supplier over payments).
• Manage cost and design targets with cross-functional teams and collaborate with Cost Estimating to identify commercial opportunities based on supplier part cost breakdowns and Optimal Cost Estimates (OCEs).
• Handle raw material negotiations and support distressed supplier management.
• Strong business and commercial acumen, excellent written and verbal communication.
• Demonstrable understanding of current challenges facing the automotive industry and the role of purchasing.
• Excellent negotiation skills to drive cost reduction and protect supply.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, including relationship building.
• Experience of working in cross-functional teams.
• Excellent numerical and analytical data skills.
• Fully competent with Microsoft Office tools.
• Ability to present competently.
• Willingness to travel on company business as required.
• Strong organizational and project management skills; self-starter.

Minimum 3 years’ experience within a purchasing setting, preferably automotive.

Degree qualified or equivalent experience required.

Location:

Dunton – 4 days a week required in the office. Travel is possible.