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Bespoke Buyer
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Buyer – Bespoke Purchasing
Goodwood, West Sussex
Hybrid Working Available
Join a World-Class Luxury Automotive Brand
Product quality begins at source. That's why we're looking for a talented Buyer to join our specialist Bespoke Purchasing Team in Goodwood.
This is a unique opportunity to work at the pinnacle of luxury automotive manufacturing, sourcing bespoke components and innovative features that help create some of the world's most exclusive motor cars. Working within a low-volume, highly customised production environment, you'll play a key role in bringing new client concepts to life by identifying and developing exceptional suppliers capable of delivering exacting standards.
If you're passionate about procurement, supplier development, negotiation, and working on innovative new product introductions, this could be the perfect next step in your career.
The Opportunity
As a Buyer within the Bespoke Purchasing Team, you will be responsible for identifying, selecting and managing suppliers for low-volume bespoke components and features.
Working closely with Engineering, Design, Manufacturing and Project Management teams, you'll support the development and delivery of unique customer commissions, ensuring suppliers can meet demanding quality, timing, and commercial requirements.
This is a highly visible role requiring a blend of commercial acumen, technical understanding, project management capability, and stakeholder engagement skills.
What You'll Be Doing
- Selecting suitable suppliers and securing the supply of bespoke low-volume components.
- Reviewing new component designs and identifying suppliers capable of delivering innovative products.
- Managing end-to-end sourcing activities in line with purchasing processes.
- Leading structured supplier selection exercises and supplier nomination activities.
- Conducting commercial negotiations to achieve the best balance of cost, quality, timing, and value.
- Analysing supplier quotations, tooling costs, and commercial proposals.
- Supporting new product introduction (NPI) and bespoke feature development projects.
- Working closely with Engineering, Design, Manufacturing, and Project Management teams throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Ensuring suppliers meet quality standards and delivery expectations.
- Managing supplier performance and proactively resolving supplier-related issues.
- Supporting product industrialisation activities and supplier readiness for production.
- Building and maintaining strong supplier relationships with both existing and new suppliers.
- Identifying innovative and sustainable suppliers capable of supporting future bespoke projects.
- Ensuring project milestones, quality requirements, and delivery timelines are achieved.
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What We're Looking For
We're seeking a commercially minded procurement professional who combines strong supplier management and negotiation skills with a genuine interest in engineering, manufacturing, and new product development.
You will be comfortable working across multiple projects simultaneously, influencing stakeholders at all levels, and delivering results in a fast-paced, highly customised automotive environment.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Professional experience in Purchasing, Procurement, Commodity Buying, Supplier Quality or Supply Chain Management.
- Experience within an Automotive Manufacturer or Tier 1 Automotive supplier environment.
- Proven experience managing supplier selection and sourcing processes.
- Strong commercial negotiation and cost analysis skills.
- Experience working within a multi-project engineering or manufacturing environment.
- Understanding of New Product Introduction (NPI) and product development processes.
- Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to demanding deadlines.
- Experience working cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Design, Quality, and Project Management teams.
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Highly Desirable
- Degree in Business Management, Procurement & Logistics, Engineering, or a related discipline.
- CIPS qualification or progress towards CIPS accreditation.
- Experience managing end-to-end production component purchasing within an automotive NPI environment.
- Knowledge of automotive sourcing and industrialisation processes.
- Familiarity with automotive manufacturing processes covering interior, exterior, or electrical components.
- Understanding of automotive quality standards and accreditations, including:
- ISO 9001
- ISO 14001
- ISO 45001
- IATF / TS16949
- Experience of supplier quality management.
- Knowledge of tooling and manufacturing processes for low- and medium-volume production.
Why Join us
- Be part of one of the world's most prestigious automotive brands.
- Work on unique Bespoke commissions and highly innovative customer projects.
- Collaborate with world-class Engineering, Design, Manufacturing and Purchasing teams.
- Gain exposure to cutting-edge luxury automotive product development.
- Take ownership of supplier selection and sourcing decisions that directly influence vehicle quality and customer satisfaction.
- Develop your career in a challenging, fast-paced and rewarding procurement environment.
If you're an ambitious procurement professional looking to play a key role in delivering world-class bespoke luxury vehicles, we'd love to hear from you.
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