At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing strategies and negotiate with suppliers in a dynamic engineering environment.
- Company: High-performance engineering and manufacturing business with a strong procurement team.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid working, and opportunity to work on advanced engineering projects.
- Other info: Initial 3-month contract with potential for growth in a collaborative setting.
- Why this job: Join a fast-paced industry and make a significant impact on innovative engineering programmes.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, particularly in automotive or motorsport sectors, is essential.
We're supporting a high-performance engineering and manufacturing business looking to appoint several experienced procurement professionals on an initial 3-month contract. These are senior-level opportunities for experienced Commodity Buyers or Purchasing Consultants who can quickly add value within complex engineering programmes. You'll be joining an established procurement team, taking ownership of key commodity areas and working closely with engineering and supplier teams to deliver robust sourcing strategies and commercial outcomes.
We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in one of the following commodity groups:
- Electrical & Electronics
- Body & Trim / Exterior
Previous automotive, motorsport or similarly fast-paced manufacturing experience is essential.
The Role
Working across new and existing supplier programmes, you'll be responsible for managing sourcing activities, leading commercial negotiations and ensuring suppliers meet demanding quality, cost and delivery expectations. Responsibilities include:
- Developing and delivering commodity sourcing strategies
- Leading supplier negotiations and contract agreements
- Managing supplier relationships and commercial performance
- Identifying cost reduction and value improvement opportunities
- Working closely with Engineering, Quality and Programme teams throughout sourcing activities
- Conducting supplier evaluations and making sourcing recommendations
- Supporting risk management and ensuring continuity of supply
- Driving strong commercial decisions across assigned commodity areas
About You
You'll be an experienced procurement professional who is comfortable operating in technically complex manufacturing environments and can quickly build credibility with both suppliers and internal stakeholders. You'll ideally have:
- Significant experience as a Commodity Buyer, Senior Buyer or Purchasing Consultant
- Strong automotive, motorsport or advanced engineering procurement experience
- Previous responsibility for either Electrical & Electronics or Body & Trim / Exterior commodity groups
- Excellent negotiation and supplier management skills
- Experience developing and implementing commodity strategies
- The ability to influence cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities
- A proactive, commercially focused approach with strong analytical skills
What's on Offer
- Initial 3-month contract
- Competitive day rate
- Outside IR35
- Hybrid working (3 days onsite)
- Opportunity to work on technically advanced engineering programmes
Senior Purchasing Consultant in Bicester employer: Gerrell & Hard
Join a high-performance engineering and manufacturing business that values expertise and innovation, offering a dynamic work culture where your contributions as a Senior Purchasing Consultant will directly impact complex engineering programmes. With competitive day rates, hybrid working arrangements, and a focus on professional growth, this role provides an excellent opportunity to collaborate with talented teams while managing key commodity areas in a fast-paced environment. Experience the advantage of working in Woking or Bicester, where you can thrive in a supportive atmosphere that encourages both personal and professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Purchasing Consultant in Bicester
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Purchasing Consultant in Bicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Gerrell & Hard that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Gerrell & Hard can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Gerrell & Hard that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Gerrell & Hard know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gerrell & Hard
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
