What we are looking for
An experienced strategic Purchasing professional to implement and drive a consistent approach towards all global sourcing, purchasing and tendering activities across the Group in relation to direct and indirect spend, ensuring that value for money is maximized and cost savings generated.
Working alongside Senior Stakeholders, including the UK Board of Directors, the Group General Managers (US, Germany, Italy, France, Japan and China) and management in specialist divisions: OEM, contract machining/assembly, high tech products, ophthalmic products, facilities and property. You should have an excellent ability to communicate effectively and influence stakeholders at all levels of the business.
Based in our modern Global HQ in Send, Surrey, candidates must live within a manageable daily commute.
Role summary:
- To develop and drive the Group’s supply chain and inventory strategy to ensure parts availability, whilst improving quality, cost, customer service and lead times on the supply chain.
- To streamline and improve inventory efficiencies of intercompany trading and stockholding.
- To rationalise and lead the Indirect Procurement/Facilities Categories across the group increasing both savings and value.
- To provide Supply Chain vision, direction and leadership to the management and staff.
- To monitor supplier performance, contractual obligations and conduct audits, where necessary.
- To negotiate contracts with new and existing global suppliers.
- To ensure appropriate purchasing policies are in place across all domestic and overseas branches and specialist divisions.
Responsibilities:
- Provide effective leadership and development of the inventory, supply chain and purchasing operations across all businesses within the Group.
- Manage inventory targets for all aspects of the business. Ensure that annual business plans are effectively translated into inventory, supply chain and purchasing strategies and policies to support the needs of the business. Roll out resulting KPI’s.
- Lead high level contract negotiations with major global suppliers to ensure minimal risk and continuity. Manage same to minimise currency or freight cost fluctuation risk.
- De-risk the existing supply chain through dual and re-sourcing activities.
- Manage and develop the group ‘Stock model’ and embed this within the group ERP. Monitor and manage domestic and US raw material, WIP and completed stock levels.
- Monitor and manage remote stock location stock holdings, ROL’s, MOQ’s.
- Ensure early sourcing and supplier involvement in the NPD and NPI processes.
- Ensure inventory, supply chain and purchasing business system data is accurately maintained and periodically reviewed. Roll out Purchasing aspects of ERP INFOR system to global group (UK only, at the moment).
- Rationalise transport, warehousing and logistics movements between global group locations.
- Strategically manage the implementation of BREXIT (measures in hand) and subsequent trade treaties.
- Oversee the identification of and reporting on new supply chain opportunities.
Required knowledge, essential skills and experience
- Degree or qualified through experience in Supply Chain management or similar (a must).
- Extensive Purchasing background with a multi-national SME/manufacturing/engineering environment at world class standards.
- Proven track record in a supply chain role, ideally with Group or multi-site responsibility.
- Extensive knowledge of ERP systems and functionality.
- Proven strategic sourcing, influencing and negotiation skills.
- Must be able to communicate supply chain objectives clearly and convey the benefits to the organisation.
- Possess a strategic vision, combined with the ability to be able to deal with operational issues as required.
- Experienced in the application and development of modern supply chain and manufacturing philosophies
- Financial literacy and proven commercial acumen & the ability to develop and monitor budgets
- Direct experience gained in leading and driving supply chain efficiencies
- Experienced in contract creation, negotiation and maintenance
- Experience in Procurement managing indirect procurement categories including IT, Freight, Professional Services and Corporate Services
- Ability to liaise and influence stakeholders at all levels of the business and drive the growth of the procurement function locally and globally
- Experience of the requirements of working within an ISO 9001/2018 or similar environment would be useful, but not essential.
Attributes:
- A collaborative and communicative personal style with the ability to build and develop excellent working relationships.
- Analytical, with a strong attention to detail.
- Self-confident and highly motivated, able to gain respect quickly.
- Commercially minded and able to contribute to the overall business and local operations.
- Persuasive and able to challenge conventional practices with reasoned commercial arguments.
- Resilient and capable of understanding and using modern supply chain concepts, but in a practical and pragmatic manner.
- Energy, drive and enthusiasm to achieve personal and shared objectives.
- Able and willing to travel internationally, once restrictions lifted (up to 10% per annum).
Benefits
This is a senior management team role. There is potential for career progression, with Director possibility, in the future.
- Additional production bonus (variable but approx. 5% basic salary payable monthly in arrears), linked to the value of goods invoiced from the UK factory base.
- Full time, permanent position, Aviva Company private pension scheme, in line with Government Auto Enrolment legislation guidelines
- Non-contributory private medical insurance (BUPA) and life insurance (Death in Service, equivalent to 2 years’ basic salary) – both after 6 months satisfactory service.
- 25 days holiday per annum (plus additional Bank Holidays).
- Sickness absence pay (after six months satisfactory service).
- Free on-site parking
- Excellent staff facilities including free membership of an on-site gym.
Personal Development and Soft Benefits
Vision Engineering is a progressive, forward thinking company, which subscribes fully to the letter and spirit of equal opportunity.
Staff Development is key to our continued success. A well-funded staff development plan, with a dedicated Staff Development Manager, operates throughout the Company, allowing for professional and personal development.
“Soft” benefits include excellent staff facilities, an on-site gym, yoga/exercise classes, transport to and from the local station, multicultural feast day celebrations and government childcare voucher and Cycle to Work schemes.
