Senior Direct Buyer - Automotive £55k
Posted 3 hours 47 minutes ago by Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
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Are you a direct procurement professional ready to make a real impact on cutting-edge vehicle programmes? Here's your chance to join a prestige, engineering-led automotive manufacturer and take ownership of critical commodity areas that shape the next generation of high-performance vehicles.
You'll operate in a fast-paced, technically advanced, low-volume environment, influencing supplier strategy, cost performance, and programme delivery. Working closely with engineering across electrical & electronics, powertrain, chassis, interior and exterior systems, you'll ensure suppliers deliver the quality, timing, and performance required for world-class vehicles.
What you do:- Own and execute commodity strategies aligned to future vehicle programmes.
- Lead supplier selection, engagement, and negotiations, securing the best outcomes in cost, quality, and delivery.
- Conduct cost breakdowns, risk assessments, and supplier performance reviews, challenging assumptions and driving improvement.
- Manage end-to-end commercial agreements, from contracts to long-term supplier partnerships.
- Partner with engineering, quality, and programme teams to ensure aligned decisions and seamless delivery.
- Maintain oversight of purchasing through SAP and other systems, supporting daily project requirements.
- Strong experience in direct procurement or commodity buying within automotive or engineering-led environments.
- Proven ability managing technical, high-value commodities and complex supplier networks.
- Skilled in negotiation, supplier influence, and stakeholder management.
- Analytical, structured approach to cost, risk, and supplier strategy, balancing programme priorities with commercial outcomes.
- Comfortable in fast-moving, technically complex environments, where decisions directly affect high-value vehicle programmes.
This is a hands-on, high-impact role where your procurement expertise will directly shape supplier performance and programme success. If you're ready to step into a role combining strategy, delivery, and influence at a senior level, we want to hear from you.
Apply now to register your interest in a confidential chat. Contact: