AESC is the world’s leading battery technology company and lithium-ion battery manufacturer with battery plants in Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and China. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of France's highest-profile manufacturing plants as Envision AESC is building a new battery manufacturing plant in Douai, Hauts-de-France to support its business growth in Europe. This is a unique opportunity to join one of the most exciting, large-scale industrial developments in many years, where new and emerging technologies will be adopted in support of the rapidly growing electric vehicle marketplace.

Purpose

This role focuses on building strong connections with regional purchasing teams, including EU Indirect Commodity buyers and GID procurement managers, to support strategy implementation and supplier development locally and regionally. It involves managing daily operational issues with plant personnel to enhance supplier quality and logistics, leading RFQs, negotiations, and supplier selection for local suppliers, and aligning plant needs with EU buyer requirements for cost reduction, warranty improvements, and better payment terms. Additionally, EU Commodity Buyer's responsibilities include proactive tendering, presenting spend analyses, managing service contracts for continuous improvements, and collaborating with internal teams to set and track QCD targets and KPIs.

This role can be located in Douai, France or Sunderland, the UK.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong connections with Regional Purchasing (EU Indirect Commodity buyers /GID procurement managers) to support strategies and to develop suppliers both regionally and locally.
• Ensure daily operational issues are managed with relevant plant personnel resulting in improved quality/logistical performance of indirect suppliers
• Lead RFQ, negotiations, supplier selection for locally managed suppliers i.e. supplier is supplying specific parts or services to one plant.
• Align plant functional needs (in co-ordination with EU Commodity buyer requirements) to support TdC activities i.e. cost reduction YOY -5 to -15%, increased warranty terms, payment conditions improvements, consignment stock…etc
• Deliver proactive tenders for the identified Indirect approved suppliers & present purchase spend analysis reporting to EU Commodity buyers
• Management of Service Contracts to implement YoY improvements e.g. best practice and avoid termination penalties; YoY cost reductions
• Work with internal functions to establish QCD targets, objectives and monitor/report KPIs to management
• Provide support to Purchasing Admin in relation to supplier quality & OTIF escalation issues
• When required cover Admin to expedite Purchase Orders with Indirect suppliers.

Background & Requirements

• University qualification.
• Proven experience in indirect procurement within a manufacturing environment of at least 5 years covering supplier engagement, negotiation, and cost reductions.
• Strong negotiation skills to help influence local functions and work to tight deadlines, time management.
• Excellent communication skills are crucial to this role, to build relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Have an inquisitive and open attitude to exploring new ideas and a willingness for continuous improvement.
• Language skills: fluent English language skills, if based in France also fluent French skills.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, Power Point and Power BI, SAP
• Travel may be required within the EU. 
• Driving licence.
• CIPS or MCIPS is preferred.