Purchasing Manager

Background

The world around us is experiencing significant change, the greatest in generations. 

At Motion Applied, we're accelerating the response to that change. Our vision is that our people and technologies will pioneer a better future.  Our mission is to achieve breakthroughs in performance.

We're at the cutting edge of innovation in industries including automotive transportation and motorsport. We create solutions that drive efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

We want to help to reduce the carbon footprint and become more sustainable.

Our focus is on electrification and telemetry, control and analytics.

To deliver efficient lightweight electric powertrain and vehicle development; motorsport solutions that make series more sustainable and efficient; reliable connectivity solutions for transportation and insightful analytics and monitoring of transport fleets.

By applying our expertise, we deliver real benefits and pioneer a better future.

Role Purpose

To manage and optimise procurement activities across both direct and indirect categories, ensuring cost efficiency, compliance, and alignment with business objectives. 

The role involves strategic sourcing, supplier development, risk management, and collaboration with internal stakeholders to deliver value and mitigate supply chain risks. 

The Procurement Manager will also lead and develop the procurement team, ensuring effective communication, performance management, and capability building.

Key Responsibilities

1. Procurement Strategy & Execution

• Lead sourcing activities for both direct and indirect procurement categories.
• Prepare comparative analyses and cost evaluations to support supplier selection in line with business requirements.
• Ensure procurement processes comply with company policies and regulatory standards.

2. Supplier Selection & Contracting

• Drive supplier identification, evaluation, and selection for new contracts.
• Consult with the Supply Chain Manager on decisions regarding awarding indirect supplier contracts.
• Initiate and coordinate communication through the procurement team for organising contracts and negotiations.
  
  

3. Team Leadership & Development

• Manage, coach, and develop the procurement team to achieve departmental objectives.
• Allocate responsibilities, monitor performance, and provide training to enhance skills and efficiency.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture.

4. Supplier Development & Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers to ensure performance, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Implement supplier development programmes to enhance capability and resilience.

5. Risk Management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate procurement-related risks, including supply continuity, compliance, and financial exposure.
• Maintain a risk register and implement contingency plans for critical suppliers.
  
  

6. Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Track procurement KPIs, including cost savings, supplier performance, and compliance metrics.
• Provide regular reports and insights to senior management on procurement activities and market trends.

Principal Accountabilities

• Oversee MRP data prior to buyers placing purchase orders for all components.
• Ensure data accuracy within the Procurement function.
• Oversee procurement of all components associated with the manufacture of electronic and electro-mechanical products.
• Manage key sub-contract and indirect suppliers.
• Ensure the team negotiates all terms and conditions in line with business practices to achieve best price and quality.
• Manage supplier performance and implement improvement plans.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities across categories.
• Ensure purchase orders align with production schedule requirements.
• Check and authorise orders before they are sent to suppliers.
• Oversee maintenance of part numbers, Bills of Materials, and Manufacturing Change Requests in the Sage MRP system.
• Deliver functional performance targets and work closely with key business functions.
  

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• Previous component-level procurement experience is essential.
• Understanding of electronic components market desirable.
• Excellent communication skills with external suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Proven track record of negotiation and problem-solving.
• Previous experience managing suppliers and service providers.
• In-depth understanding of MRP procurement systems.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong MS Office skills.
• Analytical thinking and commercial judgement.
• Ability to assess total cost of parts, not just raw component cost.
  

What we can offer you 

In return for everything you bring to the table, we can ensure an exciting, challenging role in a dynamic business surrounded by some of the best people in their respective fields.

At Motion Applied we firmly believe it's the relationships and friendships we create while working that make us special. We're also aware that the world is changing and we are part of that change. We all want and need different things from our work and home lives, so, if you have commitments outside of work, we're open to talking through flexible working options that work for you and us.

• Annual leave (25 days + bank holidays, pro-rated for part time colleagues).
• Enhanced Company Maternity, Paternity and Adoption leave and pay.
• Flexible working policies, including Hybrid Working.
• Life assurance to the value of 4 times base salary
• Opportunity to join the Motion Applied Pension Plan
• Company funded individual private healthcare with the opportunity to extend to partner or spouse and/or dependents at a discounted rate.
• Electric car scheme – opportunity to drive a brand-new car in a more affordable way through this salary sacrifice scheme. Employees are eligible to join the scheme after successful competition of their probationary period.

Who we are

Motion Applied are a medium-sized tech firm spun out of McLaren Group. We're looking for people who will thrive in a non-hierarchical, growth-orientated company, self-starters who are flexible and somewhat entrepreneurial in their approach.

Motion Applied are committed to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) and promote DEI in all we do. Motion Applied are also members of the UK Government Disability Confident Scheme.