Head of Materials and Services Procurement

Lotus Cars builds world-class, high-performance and lightweight sports cars that are sold all around the world. 

Lotus Cars Limited is the manufacturing site of Lotus in the UK. Here we produce all sportscars types such as the Emira and the Evija. To bring the company to the level we want it to be, we are looking for a Head of Materials and Services Procurement  in the Purchasing Department to join us in our manufacturing plant based in Hethel.

The Position

The candidate must be able to demonstrate a significant successful track record of team management within an Automotive Procurement OEM or first tier supplier

This is a challenging role for a talented, driven Procurement professional in an iconic automotive organisation.

The successful candidate will be self-motivated, and able to operate at a senior level leading a Procurement team to achieve timely supplier nomination, cost reduction capacity management programme management and process development, ensuring a stable and secure supply chain at the lowest possible cost.

This role requires strong leadership and extensive automotive Procurement management experience in both In-Direct & In-Direct Procurement Categories and Commodities.

The holder must be able to work with minimum supervision and have a good understanding of commercial and financial contract implication.

A credible leader the candidate must have excellent communication and presentation skills, and able to influence and collaborate with all functions. EAST-WEST cultural awareness is a must to the role.

Responsibilities

• Drive Procurement excellence, coaching teams on best in class Commodity and Category Management
• Ensure excellent stakeholder engagement to drive engagement with Procurement
• Maximise Supplier performance and relationships
• Lead team to deliver sourcing tasks, in collaboration with wider Group Procurement organisation, to support programmes on time and to budget.
• Identify and lead the team cost reduction opportunities and lead the team to deliver cost reduction YOY in line with business objectives.
• Develops and drives Commodity and Category Strategies.
• Working in partnership with all group platforms and develop the supplier base to meet cost, quality and on time delivery requirements as well as developing new suppliers as required to meet these objectives
• Leverage the company’s corporate agreements and resources to drive cost improvements in multiple spend Categories and Commodities
• Participating as a key player in new Programme Management.
• Develop, recommend and implement appropriate Procurement procedures
• Ensure compliance to group standards, policies and practices
• Drives supplier consolidation and rationalization where applicable
• Support change and improvement in the purchase organization structure and improve Procurement talent across the organization.
• Provide regular feedback to staff, peers and management
• Capacity management to support all the goods delivered on time.
  
  

Professional Accreditations

• Honors Degree or equivalent
• Qualified Procurement professional (MCIPS) preferred or able to demonstrate significant recent experience in Automotive Procurement.
• Ability to manage global supplier base.
  
  

Experience

• Significant experience in Automotive OEM or tier 1.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, influence and relationship building
• In-depth related vendor management
• Proven track record in developing and implementing commodity strategies to deliver improved supplier cost performance
• Extensive knowledge of the fundamentals of Procurement and negotiating
• Extensive expertise, having operated at a strategic level with a strong track record of success in delivering financial savings
• Computer and analytical skills required with solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs necessary
• Experience with ERP systems are beneficial
• Strong demonstrated communication, negotiation and customer satisfaction skills
• Travel as required to support staff and projects
• Fact base negotiation
  
  

Key Competencies

• Strong interpersonal skills
• East-West Cross-Cultural awareness
• Commercial sense
• Results orientated
• Problem Solving
• Planning and organizing
• Commercial sense
• Resilience and high personal motivation
• Excellent communication and influencing skills including negotiating and contracting
• Experience of developing and managing Procurement staff
• Good teamwork skills actively involve colleagues across the business, builds the benefits of collaborative working
  
  

What We Offer

• We provide access to a Company Car scheme (ECOS)
• 25 Vacation Days + Bank Holidays
• Performance Bonus - non contractual.
• Future-Proof Pension.
• Private Healthcare.
  
  

Additional Information

• This role will ideally be based at Hethel, however we may consider Wellesbourne TBC
  
  

Our Company

Group Lotus is a leading sports car manufacturer with a 75-year long history of iconic designs, groundbreaking engineering and legendary victories on the F1 track. Today we are transforming into a truly global performance car brand focused on the electrical future. In 2022 we launched the Eletre, the world’s first all-electric hyper-SUV, and in 2023 our fully-electric Hyper-GT, Emeya.  

As part of the Lotus team, you push boundaries. Those of the car industry and of your own. Every member of the Lotus family has some of the pioneering mindset of founder Colin Chapman in them. 

Hethel, Norfolk, England has been the home of Lotus for over 60 years, ever since Colin Chapman, our founder, started making championship-winning racing cars. In conjunction with production facilities in Norwich, and research facilities near Warwick, our UK sites offer a wide breadth of roles for all disciplines.

We're not just a car company; we're a diverse mix of talent from all walks of life. At Group Lotus, we firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords but essential pillars of a thriving and successful organisation. Read more here: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Lotus Cars.

Do you want to know what Sophisticated, Rebellious and Pioneering mean for Lotus Cars Limited? Come and take a look at our career site and join the incredible adventure: https://lotusukmanufacturing.teamtailor.com/