At a Glance
- Tasks: Negotiate contracts and manage supplier relationships to ensure smooth operations.
- Company: Join YASA, a leader in clean mobility and electric motor technology.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the automotive industry while working with innovative technologies.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong analytical skills required.
Buyer
YASA Limited Oxford, England, United Kingdom
About this position
At YASA, we're helping shape the future of clean mobility through world-leading electric motor technology. As part of Mercedes-Benz, we combine the agility, curiosity and pioneering spirit of a scale-up with the strength and ambition of a global automotive leader. Our success is built on talented people who work together to solve complex problems, challenge assumptions and continuously improve. We're ambitious about our goals, but equally committed to creating an environment where people feel valued, supported and trusted to do their best work. Whether you're in engineering, manufacturing or a business function, you'll be part of a team where your contribution matters, and where great ideas can come from anyone, are encouraged, and can make a real difference.
The Commodity Buyer acts as the single point of accountability for their commodity, owning all commercial and supply chain activities from initial concept through to end-of-life. Working closely with Engineering, Programme Management, Suppliers, and Operations, they ensure supplier selection, development, readiness, and industrialisation activities are delivered successfully to support programme timing, cost, quality, and performance targets
Key responsibilities will include:- Negotiating contracts, prices and terms of business with suppliers and reviewing opportunities to make business savings utilising negotiation and procurement best practice tools and methods
- Lead the Matched Trio team during the sourcing of commodities for new projects reporting progress to the Programme Purchasing team
- Ensuring a continuous supply of required goods and materials during the relevant development phase and communicate any supply problems which may pose a risk or impact on business operations
- Supporting and resolving commercial issues in the production supply chain
- Developing commodity strategies for own commodities
- Assisting with the purchase and supply chain of global production for specified projects through negotiated costs with suppliers anddeliver value to the business
- Purchasing goods, materials, components or services in line with the specified cost, quality and delivery targets
- Researching and evaluating areas of opportunity and reduce costs where possible
- Develop ideas and strategies to improve operational efficiency, add value, aid business performance and work towards a strategy of continuous improvement
- Stakeholder engagement at all levels both internally and with our external suppliers
- Researching and owning the strategic relationships with suppliers and subcontractors
- Supporting product change requests during the development phases and review and communicate the impact on capacity plans
- Developing and improving Procurement processes as required.
- For personal growth and where required support XP/Experiment projects, prototypes and the negotiation of Indirects contracts
- Act as escalation for the Logistics team in relation to delivery/commercial issues and for the STA team as required
- Own strategic relationship with suppliers
- Hybrid working with at least 2-3 days in the office
- Ability to travel as required.
- Previous proven experience within a similar role
- Experience working in an automotive or manufacturing environment
- Previous exposure and experience to working with raw material market data, indices & platforms
- Strong technical knowledge and understanding of automotive processes and components and supply chain management
- Experience of stakeholder management
- Experience in supplier/customer relationship management
- Understanding of cost drivers in a manufacturing environment and experience in leading cost reduction activities
- Results orientated with the ability to plan and deliver against project deadlines
- An organised approach with good businessacumen
- Excellent analytical skills
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to work effectively with teams
- Good IT skills including PowerPoint, Excel and Word
- Good understanding of the need for diplomacy and confidentiality
- Self-motivated with a can-do attitude
- Proactively contributes to the team
- Flexible approach to work
- Experience of using Microsoft Dynamics Navision (NAV)
- Experience of working within a Tier 1 Automotive environment
- MCIPS or studying towards CIPS qualification.
Buyer in Oxford employer: Yasa Limited
At YASA Limited, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture in the heart of Oxford. As part of the Mercedes-Benz family, we offer our employees not only competitive benefits and opportunities for personal growth but also the chance to contribute to groundbreaking advancements in clean mobility technology. Join us to be part of a dynamic team where your ideas are valued, and you can make a meaningful impact in the automotive industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer in Oxford
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Yasa Limited.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Yasa Limited:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Yasa Limited. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Yasa Limited.
How to prepare for a job interview at Yasa Limited
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Yasa Limited!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Yasa Limited. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Yasa Limited's culture.
