Order Ref: 39071

Position Title: Direct Production Strategy Buyer

Duration: 12 Month Rolling Contract

Location: Gaydon / Fen End / WFH

Division: Purchasing

The Opportunity

• Special Operations, Luxury performance and capability taken to new levels to create unique vehicles and accessories. Stunning performance, unsurpassed luxury and cutting-edge technology.
• Special Operations showcases the very best of the Clients' with a range of exclusive SV-badged halo models and uniquely engineered projects.
• As the benchmark in vehicle personalisation, Special Operations is also home to our suite of exceptional commissioning services, including SV Bespoke, Accessories and SV Premium Palette for the ultimate in tailored vehicle finishes and hand-crafted details.
• Buyers in SO have sourcing and supply chain responsibility from concept & strategy through to end of production delivering high performance derivative and ultra-luxury products.
• Reporting to the Global Purchasing Manager this role will see you have responsibility for managing the external supply chain from Client suppliers.
• You will support the Global Commodity Leaders and Global Strategic Buyers in the development and execution of commodity strategies and the Global sourcing activity through the Global Sourcing Process (GSP).
• Responsible for all post sourcing and contract management activities for designated commodities and suppliers.
• You will develop and execute key performance indicators across the designated suppliers, engaging with stakeholders and specialists within the Purchasing Function as required, ensuring supplier performance to meet Client requirements.
• This role is also a pivotal role for interface with other key functions within the Client and acts as a core conduit for true cross functional working across Production Purchasing, Material Planning and Logistics (MP&L), Supplier Technical Assistance (STA), Product Engineering, Cost Engineering and Manufacturing.

Key Performance Indicators

• Supplier performance management
• New Model Programme Cost Achievement Post Sourcing and Commercial Programme Agreement (SCPA)/Nomination.
• Net Cost Reporting targets and strategic should-cost Gap Closure Plan targets (Post SCPA/Nomination)
• Validation of core activity relating to Commodity Creation Delivery System (CCDS).

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

Strategy & Sourcing:

• Act as the voice of the customer for input into the Strategic Commodity Dossiers (SCD), Commodity Business Plans (CBP) and Strategic Supplier Dossiers (SSD), and ensure relevant data is updated, understood
• Responsible for the execution of commodity and supplier strategy, and the effective operational relationships with designated suppliers, ensuring that they adopt and follow the commodity strategy that delivers improved purchase operational performance
• Be responsible for issue and analysis of RFQs, and liaison with suppliers to ensure sourcing in line with policy and to agreed targets through GSP and deploying TCO & TVO approach
• Conduct supplier negotiations pre SCPA.
• As required support analysis of Make vs Buy business justifications.

Cost Management:

• Manage all new Model Programme introduction of designated commodity/system, including contracted supplier obligations, production readiness and resolution of any commercial and/or programme issues/risks, being responsible for robust delivery to target cost
• Ensuring effective cost management of designated commodities and supplier post SCPA which will involve launching commodities on new products at their target cost as well as achieving year on year cost reduction on current spend to deliver Net Cost Reporting (NCR) to target
• Investigate and ensure resolution of in-contract commercial issues including unverified invoices relating to price queries, annual cost reduction, tooling costs, design changes and all liability claims, to minimise the costs to Client Lead timely and accurate completion of purchasing deliverables in line with Product Creation and Delivery System (PCDS) process timings for designated commodity/system e.g. order placement and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) deliverables

Supplier Relationship Management:

• Participate in Supplier Business Reviews with your suppliers to develop supplier relationships in accordance with the supplier segmentation model
• Act as the primary interface with Product Engineering Module Leaders / Senior Managers for designated commodities/systems, to ensure cross-functional alignment on quality, cost, delivery and time requirements post SCPA
• Monitor external supply chain performance and communicate to the relevant stakeholders as appropriate CCDS : Responsible for the execution of all CCDS associated activities and tasks as per process gateway deliverables, this will form the basis of the commercial contract validation activities on behalf of the Client which includes but is not limited to
• Validation activities of core commercial/contractual elements and costs for example
• Labour (direct and indirect)/Manning (direct/indirect and overall supplier programme resources
• Process time for manufacturing process, key material flows and information flows
• How parts are manufactured - bill of design and bill of process (method of manufacture/key materials/location(s) of manufacture/BOF content and understanding of key BOF cost elements and drivers)
• Tooling and location of manufacture
• OEE/Shift Patterns/JPH achievement and capacity flexibility, breakpoints and sensitivity analysis around volumes
• Value Stream Maps - all key material and information flows mapped and understood at production system, supply chain, sub tier and sub tier supply chain variables
• BOF Parts and Supply Chain maps
• Tariffs duties and incentives around total value stream and any contingency and business continuity considerations which need to be incorporated into contractual or commercial framework moving forward

Other:

• Contribute where appropriate to process improvement and ensuring the adoption and sharing of best practice.
• Manage Supplier, and Supply Chain Risk, management for assigned commodities post SCPA, ensuring the supply chain operates in accordance with Client Quality, customer and governmental regulations
• Ensure compliance to the Client processes.
• Driving system compliance throughout the supply chain, by maintaining the purchasing systems to ensure data integrity and therefore system performance
• Undertake any other work as directed by your line manager in connection with your the job as may be requested

Key Interactions

• Global Purchasing Finance
• Programme Teams
• STA
• Cost Engineering
• Product Engineering
• Supplier Base

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential:

• Degree qualified or equivalent experience
• Delivering complex supply chain solutions in a fast paced, high pressured manufacturing environment
• Ability to work independently, results driven, demonstrating tenacity, drive and perseverance with the ability to deliver operational plans in a complex, highly demanding environment.
• Implementing and delivering purchasing strategies with the focus on total value chain delivery
• Identify opportunities for creating value in a commodity or commodities
• A resilient and enthusiastic individual who responds constructively to new ideas and inputs
• A strong communicator with the ability to communicate effectively with key stakeholders to influence cross-functional engagement
• A effective team player, actively develops and supports team members
• Maintaining compliance with standard policies and procedures

Desirable:

• An individual with a proven track record in delivering results in both favourable and unfavourable conditions
• The ability to challenge in a positive way whilst building credibility and trust through experience and personal style
• Experience of working in a global, multi-cultural environment

Personal Profile

Essential:

• An individual, who works independently, is results driven, demonstrating tenacity, drive and perseverance with the ability to deliver operational plans in a complex, highly demanding environment.
• An individual with the capability to combine a short term, pragmatic focus with medium term planning
• A resilient and enthusiastic individual who responds constructively to new ideas and inputs
• A good communicator with the ability to communicate complex ideas
• A effective team player, actively develops and supports team members

Desirable:

• An individual with the ability to challenge existing thinking in a positive way whilst building credibility and trust through experience and personal style

Additional Information:

• Normally 1 day in Gaydon and 1 day in Fen End and 3 days at home, unless training, off sites and supplier meetings