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- Tasks: Lead procurement for innovative automotive programmes, ensuring cost and quality targets are met.
- Company: Join Artifex Interior Systems, a forward-thinking company in the automotive industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, diverse work culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a commitment to diversity and equal opportunities.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of automotive innovation and make a real impact on vehicle development.
- Qualifications: Degree in Supply Chain or related field; significant automotive purchasing experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.
Artifex Interior Systems is pleased to confirm the below opportunity within our business.
Main purpose of the job
Act as the primary Procurement interface to Product Development, ensuring sourcing, cost, quality and timing targets are delivered. This is a key role in delivering the new vehicle whole lifecycle plan and offers a unique and challenging experience with business-wide exposure and development.
Be the go-to Procurement contact for the programme and represent Procurement at daily and weekly programme meetings. Drive programme procurement delivery, ensuring suppliers meet cost and timing commitments and that the supply chain delivers against the programme build dates, resolving any supply issues. Identify and strategically overcome potential roadblocks through cooperation and influence at all levels.
RFI & RFQ Ownership for Automotive Programmes
- Define procurement inputs and ensure sourcing strategy is integrated into early programme planning.
- Lead end-to-end Procurement adherence to customer RFI/RFQ processes for components and systems.
- Keep the Procurement Leadership & Programme team informed of any potential risks to the plan and ensure mitigation plans are in place.
- Represent Procurement in Programme Gateway reviews.
Procurement Data Management & Reporting
- Maintain accurate cost status (BOM, investment, costâdown roadmap) and provide validated procurement data for programme gateways.
- Ensure open, honest communication with all stakeholders, sharing risks, delays and dependencies promptly and respectfully.
- Ensure that all payment terms and LTAs align with those with the customer, or are better.
- Align procurement inputs with engineering release schedules and programme timing requirements.
Programme Delivery & Industrialisation Support
- Ensure supplier sourcing and readiness meet all programme milestones (SORP, SOP, PPAP and engineering release timing).
- Identify commercial and timing risks early and drive mitigation actions to protect programme delivery.
- Coordinate early supplier involvement to support designâtoâcost (DTC), manufacturability, and lightâweighting or electrification objectives.
- Collaborate with crossâfunctional teams in an inclusive, open manner, ensuring all contributors feel supported in delivering programme outcomes.
Continuous Improvement & Best Practice
- Develop and review KPI tracking tools, driving lessons learned and continuous improvement across programme phases.
- Support and champion digitalisation of procurement processes, analytics, and reporting tools across the purchasing function.
- Support the development and documentation of new programme procedures and policies.
Preferred Skills And Experience
- Degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or a related field; MBA or CIPS certification advantageous.
- Significant automotive purchasing experience required (OEM or Tier1 preferred).
- Proven track record managing RFI/RFQ processes for complex automotive components or systems.
- Strong understanding of automotive development processes, APQP/PPAP, and engineering change management.
- Skilled in supplier negotiation, commercial analysis, and cost breakdown evaluation.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across engineering, quality, programme management, and finance; ability to communicate complex or sensitive commercial positions with clarity, respect and professionalism.
- Automotive quality & process understanding.
- Data accuracy and analytical capability.
- Strong commercial acumen with proven negotiation and supplier management capability.
- Proven ability to deliver against programme timing and cost targets.
- Stakeholder influence and communication.
- Resilience, speed, and adaptability in fastâpaced environments.
Artifex is an equal opportunities employer and committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity among its workforce. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination and are committed to creating an environment where individual differences and the contributions of all staff are recognised.
Senior Programme Buyer - Europe in Birmingham employer: Artifex
Contact Detail:
Artifex Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Senior Programme Buyer - Europe in Birmingham
â¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the automotive industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Senior Programme Buyer role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
â¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of procurement processes, especially RFI/RFQ management. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in past roles and how you can bring that experience to Artifex.
â¨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your achievements in supplier negotiation and cost management. This will give you an edge during interviews and demonstrate your value as a candidate.
â¨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the Artifex team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Programme Buyer - Europe in Birmingham
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Programme Buyer role. Highlight your automotive purchasing experience and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've managed RFI/RFQ processes or driven programme delivery in the past. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder management, make sure to highlight your communication skills in your application. We want to know how youâve effectively communicated complex ideas or resolved issues in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way for us to receive your application and ensures youâre considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about who we are and what we do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Artifex
â¨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of procurement processes, especially RFI and RFQ management. Be ready to discuss your experience with automotive components and how you've successfully navigated complex negotiations in the past.
â¨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder management, prepare examples that highlight your ability to communicate effectively across different teams. Think about times when you resolved conflicts or influenced decisions through clear communication.
â¨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Be prepared to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you overcame them. Artifex is looking for someone who can identify potential roadblocks and drive solutions, so have a few solid examples ready.
â¨Align with Their Values
Artifex values diversity and inclusion, so itâs important to show that you share these values. Think about how you can contribute to a positive team environment and be ready to discuss your approach to collaboration and continuous improvement.