Head of Procurement

Overall responsibility for Purchasing and Cost Estimating activities across the business.

• Create and implement best practice purchasing vision, strategy, policies, processes and procedures to aid and improve business performance.
• Ensure that purchasing strategies and processes are in place to meet business objectives and operational needs in terms of price, quality and delivery targets, which enables the company to function and compete effectively in the market to include: Terms and conditions, supplier selection/de-selection, evaluation and rationalization of supply chain solutions including vendor managed inventory, supplier consignments and safety stock.
• Evaluate the challenges faced by the business and take action to mitigate risks and develop opportunities.
• Contribute to overall business strategy and annual budget process.
• Take ownership of the purchasing policy, guidelines and any associated documents.
• Initiate and develop creative and innovative procurement processes (eProcurement).
• Responsible for managing relationships and negotiating with key suppliers at a senior and strategic level.
• Negotiate contract terms with key suppliers to ensure value for money, quality standards and delivery terms with technical and operational input from stakeholders if appropriate.
• Craft negotiation strategies and close deals with optimal terms.
• Forecast price and market trends to identify changes of balance in buyer-supplier power.
• Seek and partner with reliable vendors and suppliers.
• Develop an overall vendor base which creates and sustains a competitive advantage utilizing global market exploitation, leveraging spends and leveraging technologies.
• Develop, implement and maintain a supplier relationship and evaluation process to measure effective supplier performance and compliance.
• Ensure professional and consistent supplier management is applied across the supply base in line with the purchasing policies and OJEU guidance.
• Work closely with Research Development to source new and alternative raw materials.
• Ensure strong communication between teams under leadership to facilitate exchange of information and in order to implement change and improvements.
• Ensure that the function operates in accordance with any health, safety and environmental policies and procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff and visitors.
• Provide leadership, coordination and coaching to the team, ensuring they are trained enabling them to achieve the operational and financial metrics within their areas of responsibility and succeed in their roles.
• Prepare the annual Purchasing budget and forecasts and all Capital Expenditure proposals as well as ensuring compliance with customer and legal requirements. Manage the budget from identification to completion of projects.

Qualifications

• Required relevant experience of Technical and Non-Technical procurement for over 8-10 years.
• Educated to degree level (preferably Masters) in a relevant commercial or engineering discipline.
• Preferably a Fellow or Member of The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS).
• Demonstrable experience of leading a purchasing function with a proven track record in strategic purchasing leadership delivering effective purchasing strategies, policies, processes and systems.
• Ability to add value, reduce costs and make business improvements.
• Proven contract management and supplier experience.
• Experience of operating and influencing at a strategic level.
• Knowledge and technical understanding of automotive processes and components and supply chain management.
• Computer literate, especially Excel skills.