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- Tasks: Lead procurement activities and manage supplier partnerships in the automotive industry.
- Company: Join a global leader in automotive electrical systems with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, holiday, pension, dental, health, life insurance, and relocation package.
- Why this job: Be part of a high-performing team making a global impact in automotive technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic procurement; degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business preferred.
- Other info: CIPS qualification is a plus; strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Staffordshire
Industry: Automotive
Type: Full-Time | Permanent
Salary: Competitive £45-55k dependent on experience
Benefits: Holiday, Pension, Dental, Health, Life Insurance
Other: Relocation package provided
About the Role
We are looking for a highly skilled and commercially astute Senior Strategic Buyer to lead procurement activities. You will be part of a forward-thinking procurement team, you’ll build and manage strategic supplier partnerships, lead commercial negotiations, and ensure a reliable, cost-effective, and innovative supply chain for key electrical technologies.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement sourcing strategies.
- Manage supplier selection, qualification, and performance monitoring to ensure quality, cost, and delivery targets are met.
- Negotiate contracts and long-term agreements to secure competitive pricing and commercial terms.
- Work closely with R&D, engineering, quality, and production teams to align sourcing with technical specifications and program milestones.
- Monitor market trends, technology shifts and supply risks to inform strategic decisions.
- Support new product introductions and model launches by ensuring timely sourcing and component availability.
- Identify cost-reduction opportunities and drive continuous improvement with suppliers.
About You
- Proven experience in strategic procurement and supply chain analysis roles within the automotive, aerospace or FMCG industries.
- Deep knowledge of supplier markets and the influences surrounding securing supply of critical components on time and to budget.
- Strong negotiation and contract management skills, with a results-oriented approach.
- Able to read technical drawings/specs and collaborate effectively with cross-functional engineering teams.
- Excellent communication, project management, and analytical abilities.
- Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business preferred.
- CIPS qualification is a plus.
Why Join?
- Be at the forefront of innovation in automotive electrical systems.
- Join a collaborative, high-performing procurement team with global impact.
- Enjoy a competitive salary and great development opportunities.
- Work with a global company with world-class procurement teams.
Senior Strategic Buyer employer: RHL Recruitment
Contact Detail:
RHL Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Strategic Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in automotive electrical components. Understanding current market dynamics and technological advancements will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying ahead in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the automotive procurement sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others in the field. This can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals for the Senior Strategic Buyer position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Highlighting your results-oriented approach and ability to secure competitive pricing will resonate well with our hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Research StudySmarter and our values. Understanding our company culture and how we operate will allow you to tailor your conversations during the interview, showing that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Strategic Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in strategic procurement and supply chain analysis, particularly within the automotive or related industries. Use specific examples to demonstrate your negotiation skills and successful supplier management.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and the company. Mention your experience with sourcing strategies and how you can contribute to building strategic supplier partnerships. Be sure to express your enthusiasm for the automotive industry.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise your strong analytical abilities, project management skills, and experience with technical specifications. If you have a CIPS qualification, make sure to mention it as it adds value to your application.
Showcase Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Include examples of how you've identified cost-reduction opportunities and driven continuous improvement with suppliers in your previous roles. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and results-oriented mindset.
How to prepare for a job interview at RHL Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Procurement Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in strategic procurement, especially within the automotive or related industries. Highlight specific examples where you successfully managed supplier relationships and negotiated contracts.
✨Demonstrate Technical Knowledge
Since the role involves working with electrical components, brush up on your understanding of technical specifications and drawings. Be ready to explain how you've collaborated with engineering teams in the past to align sourcing with project milestones.
✨Stay Informed on Market Trends
Research current trends in the automotive supply chain and be prepared to discuss how these might impact procurement strategies. Showing that you are proactive about market shifts will demonstrate your strategic thinking abilities.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect questions that assess your negotiation skills and ability to drive continuous improvement. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and provide clear, concise examples of your achievements.
