At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing activities and negotiate contracts in the automotive sector.
- Company: Dynamic automotive engineering business with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, 25 days annual leave, and competitive salary.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for career growth in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Join a growing team and make an impact in automotive procurement.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We're supporting a growing automotive engineering business with a number of opportunities across its Procurement team. Whether you're an experienced Buyer or looking for your next challenge in automotive procurement, there are several exciting opportunities available across a range of technical commodity groups.
Working closely with Engineering, Quality and Programme teams, you'll play a key role in sourcing high-quality suppliers, negotiating commercial agreements and supporting the successful delivery of innovative engineering programmes.
- Current Opportunities
- Senior Buyer Powertrain - 6 Month Fixed Term Contract - £45,000 - £55,000 - Based in Woking - Immediate requirement - Strong Powertrain purchasing experience required (Body commodity experience beneficial but not essential)
- Buyer Test & Design - 14 Month Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Cover) - £40,000 - £50,000 - Based in Woking or Bicester - Travel to test facilities as required - Planned start later this year
- Commodity Buyer Interior - 2 Year Fixed Term Contract - £45,000 - £55,000 - Based in Woking or Bicester
- Commodity Buyer Exterior - 2 Year Fixed Term Contract - £45,000 - £55,000 - Based in Woking or Bicester
The Role
Reporting to the Procurement Manager, you'll take ownership of sourcing activities within your allocated commodity area, developing supplier strategies and managing commercial relationships to ensure quality, cost and delivery targets are achieved. Working alongside Engineering, Supplier Quality and Programme teams, you'll identify and develop strategic suppliers, negotiate commercial agreements and support the successful delivery of new and existing engineering programmes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead sourcing activities within your assigned commodity area.
- Negotiate supplier contracts and commercial agreements.
- Develop and implement commodity sourcing strategies.
- Drive cost reduction initiatives and manage supplier cost increases.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships.
- Complete supplier assessments and sourcing recommendations.
- Work closely with Engineering and Supplier Quality teams.
- Support risk assessments, cost analysis and supplier performance reviews.
- Ensure suppliers meet programme requirements for quality, timing, cost and technical performance.
About You
We're keen to hear from Buyers with experience in automotive or complex engineering manufacturing environments. You'll ideally have:
- Previous experience in Procurement, Purchasing or Commodity Buying.
- Experience within automotive or manufacturing environments.
- Strong commercial negotiation skills.
- Experience negotiating supplier contracts and managing supplier relationships.
- Knowledge of sourcing strategies, cost analysis and supplier performance management.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Degree qualified in Business, Engineering or a related discipline (preferred).
- MCIPS qualification, or working towards it, would be advantageous.
What's on Offer
Hybrid working (3 days onsite each week). 25 days annual leave plus...
Commodity Buyers - Automotive in London employer: Gerrell & Hard
Gerrell & Hard is an excellent employer for those looking to make a significant impact in the automotive and motorsport sectors. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, a collaborative work culture, and the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements, we provide our team with the tools and support needed to excel in their roles. Join us to be part of a dynamic environment that values innovation and robust commercial outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commodity Buyers - Automotive in London
✨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 Commodity Buyers - Automotive in London
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.
