NPI Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Parvalux Electric Motors Ltd was first established in 1947 by Mr L. Clark in London, E12, where he provided motor rewinds and repairs. The business relocated to Bournemouth on England’s sunny south coast in 1957, where it started designing and manufacturing complete gear-motor units for industrial applications. In 2008, Parvalux acquired Essex-based EMD Drive Systems Ltd. and relocated it to Bournemouth, nearly doubling the company’s turnover in the process.

The Clark Group’s ownership of Parvalux came to an end in December 2018 when maxon motor, the specialist for mechatronic drive systems, acquired the company. We are proudly a maxon company, meaning that we have representation on every continent and the backing of one of the finest technical teams on the planet.

Parvalux drives are found in hundreds of applications, including healthcare, leisure, mobility, transport and a diverse range of industrial applications, simply put…we manufacture movement.

Our Values

Customer Focus – We create customer value. We deliver customised technology and services.

Precision – We stand for quality, speed and flexibility. We drive leading technology.

Curiosity – We question things. We are passionate to learn them.

Collaboration – We act as one team, as one company. We actively collaborate.

We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, or age.

Purpose of the Job

The NPI Strategic Sourcing Specialist leads all procurement activity for new product introduction (NPI), product changes, and industrialisation projects. The role ensures that direct purchased components, assemblies, and finished goods are sourced competitively, meet quality and technical requirements, and are ready for series production launch.

Working closely with Engineering, Program Management, Quality, Operations, and key suppliers, the post holder manages supplier selection, commercial negotiations, industrialisation readiness, and project procurement from concept through to operational handover.

The role also supports a resilient, high-performing supplier base that delivers best-in-class cost, quality, delivery, innovation, and compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead procurement for NPI, product change and industrialisation projects, representing Procurement in cross-functional teams and delivering sourcing milestones at each stage gate on time and within budget.
• Develop and execute project sourcing strategies aligned with technical, commercial and business objectives, so the right suppliers are in place for launch.
• Own target cost against the BOM throughout the project, escalating gaps early and driving actions to close out.
• Source components, materials, tooling and services for development, validation and production, managing tooling ownership, budgets and delivery through to launch.
• Work with Engineering, Production Engineering, Production, Program Management and SQE to ensure new components are manufacturable and manage the cost and supply impact of engineering changes.
• Confirm supplier readiness for launch (capacity, capability, tooling, logistics, quality planning) and support early production issues until launch implementation and handover.
• Deliver a structured handover to operational Procurement, including sourcing records, contracts, supplier approvals and accurate MRP master data.
• Analyse supply markets to identify capable, competitive and innovative suppliers, including low-cost-country options where appropriate.
• Lead supplier selection in line with company sourcing processes and decision matrices, involving Global Commodity Management where required.
• Lead supplier qualification, audits, visits and part approval (APQP, PPAP, FAI) with SQE and Engineering, ensuring suppliers meet requirements before launch.
• Maintain the Approved Supplier List for project suppliers and secure dual-source or contingency arrangements for critical commodities.
• Monitor supplier performance against KPIs such as OTD and PPM, driving corrective action and development where needed.

Commercial & Cost Management

• Lead supplier negotiations to secure competitive pricing and favourable terms, applying Total Cost of Ownership principles to every sourcing decision.
• Implement supply agreements, Terms and Conditions, NDAs, tooling approvals and Codes of Conduct to protect the business and set clear expectations.
• Deliver value engineering, should-cost analysis and supplier productivity programmes to meet annual cost-saving and cost-avoidance targets.
• Benchmark suppliers and monitor raw material, inflation and market trends to ensure competitive sourcing decisions.
• Report on procurement budget performance for assigned projects and commodities.
• Champion a continuous improvement culture.

Risk, Compliance & Sustainability

• Identify and mitigate supplier risks (capacity, financial stability, geopolitical exposure, business continuity) to protect project timing, cost and quality.
• Ensure procurement activity complies with company policy, legal requirements, ethical sourcing and relevant quality and environmental standards.
• Drive supplier adherence to ESG and sustainability objectives.
• Promote continuous improvement and maintain high standards of health, safety and environmental awareness.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years’ experience in strategic Procurement, Project Purchasing, Commodity Management, or Supply Chain, ideally within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Proven experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI), product development, and industrialisation projects.
• Strong commercial acumen with successful experience leading supplier negotiations and contract management activities.
• Demonstrable experience in supplier selection, qualification, and development.
• Strong understanding of procurement processes, strategic sourcing methodologies, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) principles.
• Experience managing international suppliers and global complex supply chains.
• Knowledge of supplier quality and approval processes, including APQP, PPAP, FAI, or equivalent methodologies.
• Proficiency with MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong analytical capability with experience using data to support procurement decisions.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel internationally when required.
• Experience within electromechanical, automotive, industrial, or engineered product environments.
• Knowledge of casting, machining, fabrication, plastics, electronics, motors, or related manufacturing processes.
• Experience supporting global sourcing and low-cost country procurement strategies.
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Experience using process improvement tools such as 8 Wastes, 5 Why, DMAIC, Value Stream Mapping, or Kaizen.
• Working knowledge of ESG, sustainability, and responsible sourcing frameworks.

Personal Attributes

• Commercially driven and results orientated.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Able to influence and challenge stakeholders at all levels.
• Proactive and capable of working independently.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Adaptable to changing market conditions and business priorities.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a passion for driving positive change.
• Collaborative team player with a customer-focused approach.
• High levels of integrity, professionalism, and accountability.