Purchase Executive (Automotive)

Job Summary:
We are seeking a proactive and organised Purchase Executive (Automotive) to join our procurement team. The successful candidate will manage sourcing, purchasing and supplier relationships for automotive components and services, ensuring availability, cost-effectiveness and quality to support production and business needs. If you are commercially aware, detail-oriented and comfortable working with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, we encourage you to apply.

Key Responsibilities – Procurement & Supplier Management

• Plan, coordinate and execute purchasing activities for automotive parts, assemblies and indirect goods in line with production schedules and inventory targets.

• Develop and maintain relationships with existing and new suppliers; evaluate supplier performance and drive improvements in quality, delivery and cost.

• Prepare and issue purchase orders, negotiate terms and conditions, lead times and prices, and ensure timely order confirmation and acknowledgement.

• Collaborate with Production Planning, Engineering, Quality and Warehouse teams to resolve supply issues, expedite critical deliveries and support production ramp-ups.

• Manage supplier onboarding, documentation and compliance requirements including supplier questionnaires, certificates and contractual terms.

• Conduct market research and supplier sourcing to identify alternative materials, components or services that reduce cost, risk or lead time while maintaining required quality standards.

• Maintain accurate purchasing records, track order statuses, manage goods receipt and liaise with accounts payable to ensure accurate invoicing and payment.

• Support inventory control activities by monitoring stock levels, participating in stock reviews and initiating purchase requisitions to avoid stockouts or excess inventory.

Required Skills – Commercial, Negotiation, Communication

• Practical experience in purchasing or supply chain roles within the automotive, manufacturing or engineering sectors.

• Strong negotiation skills with a commercial mindset and an ability to achieve cost, delivery and quality objectives.

• Good knowledge of procurement processes, purchase-to-pay cycles and supplier management best practice.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; able to build effective working relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

• Competence with MS Office applications, particularly Excel, and experience using ERP or procurement systems to manage orders and suppliers.

• Analytical approach to problem solving with the ability to interpret purchasing data, manage risks and make informed decisions.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.

• Typically 2+ years’ experience in purchasing or supply chain roles, preferably within automotive or manufacturing sectors.

• Familiarity with automotive industry standards, supplier quality expectations and regulatory requirements is advantageous.

• Experience in supplier evaluation, negotiation and contract management is desirable.