Procurement Category Lead - Automotive

About the role

The Procurement Category Lead for Automotive leads strategic procurement initiatives across business units and develops category strategies for direct and indirect spend in the automotive sector. The role covers supplier relationship management, compliance and cost-saving initiatives, with success measured against defined procurement objectives such as cost reduction, compliance adherence and stakeholder satisfaction.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies for direct and indirect spend, including total cost of ownership analysis, should-cost modelling and value chain mapping
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, budgets and regulatory requirements, and plan and manage procurement projects with clear objectives and timelines
• Drive talent development and achieve 100% completion of individual development plans for team members
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align procurement strategy with business needs, identify cost-effective methods and establish preferred suppliers
• Lead the source-to-contract process, including supplier identification, selection and negotiation, and manage supplier performance against delivery, quality and responsiveness targets
• Engage internal stakeholders, influence decision-making and create cross-functional stakeholder committees

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree required; a Master's degree is preferred
• CIPS qualification or equivalent is highly desirable
• 7 to 10 years of procurement experience, with a focus on automotive category management
• Expertise in automotive procurement strategies, total cost analysis and supplier lifecycle management

Required skills

• Strategic category management and total cost analysis
• Managing supplier relationships and procurement lifecycles
• Communication and influencing skills across cross-functional teams
• Leading procurement projects and driving organisational change