HEAD OF STRATEGIC PURCHASING - Location: Romania (Remote/Hybrid)

Psihoselect performs the recruitment process for a partner company that activates in the automotive industry for the following position:

HEAD OF STRATEGIC PURCHASING

Location: Romania (remote/hybrid)

Role: Head of strategic purchasing is responsible for ongoing management of purchasing strategy and activity and for ensuring optimal supplier performance and price for an annual purchasing volume of approx. €140 million/year (automotive, industry, holding). Develop and implement a strategy to ensure the function is operating in line with the objectives of the business to add value, mitigate supply chain risk and deliver cost savings, reaching the agreed savings targets. Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships and manage the development of contracts, contractual relationships and contract management to deliver continuous improvement in delivery of goods and services by the supply base. Lead and manage a team of Strategic Buyers to deliver the appropriate support to the business to ensure corporate and business development objectives are met. Work alongside the senior management team in contributing to overall business objectives.

Essential Functions:

Overall responsibility for Purchasing and Cost Estimating activities across the business;
Create and implement best practice purchasing vision, strategy, policies, processes and procedures to aid and improve business performance;
Ensure that purchasing strategies and processes are in place to meet business objectives and operational needs in terms of price, quality and delivery targets, which enables the company to function and compete effectively in the market to include: Terms and conditions, supplier selection/de-selection, evaluation and rationalization of supply chain solutions including vendor managed inventory, supplier consignments and safety stock;
Evaluate the challenges faced by the business and take action to mitigate risks and develop opportunities;
Contribute to overall business strategy and annual budget process;
Take ownership of the purchasing policy, guidelines and any associated documents;
Initiate and develop creative and innovative procurement processes;
Responsible for managing relationships and negotiating with key suppliers at a senior and strategic level;
Negotiate contract terms with key suppliers to ensure value for money, quality standards and delivery terms with technical and operational input from stakeholders if appropriate (Quality Department, Maintenance Department, etc.);
Craft negotiation strategies and close deals with optimal terms;
Forecast price and market trends to identify changes of balance in buyer-supplier power;
Seek and partner with reliable vendors and suppliers;
Develop an overall vendor base which creates and sustains a competitive advantage utilizing global market exploitation, leveraging spends and leveraging technologies;
Develop, implement and maintain a supplier relationship and evaluation process to measure effective supplier performance and compliance;
Ensure professional and consistent supplier management is applied across the supply base in line with the purchasing policy and OJEU guidance;
Work closely with hist team to source new and alternative raw materials;
Communicate with stakeholders the impact of market change and potential effects on supply;
Recommend solutions without compromising quality or service while optimizing cost;
Contribute to new business initiatives and projects, review and communicate the impact on Purchasing activities;
Provide leadership to his team. Coach, mentor and develop direct reports and manage a high performing team that delivers continuous improvement, added value and cost reductions;
Set department objectives and monitor ongoing progress and performance;
Ensure strong communication between teams under leadership to facilitate exchange of information and in order to implement change and improvements;
Ensure that the function operates in accordance with any health, safety and environmental policies and procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff;
Responsible for developing the appropriate organizational structure, resource plans and culture to support the business objectives and customer deliverables;
Provide leadership, coordination and coaching to the team, ensuring they are trained enabling them to achieve the operational and financial metrics within their areas of responsibility and succeed in their roles;
Establish strategy and best practices for staff to ensure achievement of overall business objectives;
Work with the Purchasing team to translate strategy into specific annual performance goals and departmental objectives including KPIs, Financial Budget and Control;
Prepare the annual Purchasing budget and forecasts and all Capital Expenditure proposals as well as ensuring compliance with customer and legal requirements;
Manage the budget from identification to completion of projects.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required:

5-10 years demonstrable experience of leading a purchasing function with a proven track record in strategic purchasing leadership delivering effective purchasing strategies, policies, processes and systems;
Educated to degree level (preferably Masters) in a relevant commercial, business or engineering;
Proven leadership and management skills with the ability to optimize team performance and development;
Excellent relationship management skills with the ability to engage, negotiate and manage key stakeholders and suppliers;
The ability to communicate fluently in English verbally and in writing is essential – German language is an advantage;
Strong and confident negotiator with the ability to negotiate at all levels;
Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills;
Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities;
Results orientated with ability to plan and deliver against project deadlines;
Commercial and financial skills with experience of managing budgets;
Ability to add value, reduce costs and make business improvements;
Proven contract management and supplier experience;
Experience of operating and influencing at a strategic level;
Knowledge and technical understanding of automotive processes and components and supply chain management;
Computer literate, especially Microsoft type tools.