Procurement Lead (6- month contract)

The Company

Williams Grand Prix Technologies help solve our customers’ engineering challenges using world-leading capabilities in the areas of platform dynamics, advanced materials, simulation, testing, high performance computing, data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Operating across a wide spectrum of sectors, from aerospace and premium automotive to sport and lifestyle, we deliver a unique and world-class offering that draws on an unrivalled and trusted pedigree, earned at the forefront of motorsport engineering and diversified advanced engineering excellence.

Our team operates from our headquarters in Grove, and also our core engineering & development hub in Didcot UK. By combining exceptional talent with unique engineering assets, we tackle our clients’ most complex challenges with the agility and precision that our motorsport heritage demands.

At Williams Grand Prix Technologies, you will be part of a pioneering team at the forefront of engineering innovation. You'll have the opportunity to work on exciting projects across various industries, making a global impact. We offer a collaborative and dynamic work environment where your skills and creativity will be valued and encouraged.

Williams is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We are happy to discuss reasonable job adjustments.

The Position

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Procurement Lead (6- month contract) who will play a pivotal role in providing operational procurement support for the Williams Grand Prix Technologies leadership team and customer programmes.

The ideal candidate will be highly experienced in a variety of procurement-based activities, with specialist attention and experience of small bespoke programmes. Our customer base has many varied requirements and as such any experience across a range of sectors and industries would be ideal.

Responsibilities:

• Ensuring that WGPT is set up with a capable, adaptable and fast paced procurement capability
• Bringing key experience and knowledge of both direct & indirect procurement
• Working closely with engineering team members to source battery system and high voltage components to deliver world class products
• Deliver cost effective and timely sourcing of parts, components and services to support our battery product development
• Working collaboratively with the Project, Programme and Engineering teams to deliver specific requirements needed for our key project scope
• Deliver value driven solutions across our supply base that represent ‘value for money’ to our customers.
• Working to customer schedules and project timelines to deliver promptly against programme deadlines.
• Responsible for building and maintaining supplier relationships across multiple sectors.
• Monitor and action supplier performance against contracted deliverables.
• Develop effective negotiation with suppliers and service providers in order to achieve optimal value proposition.
• Maintain and progress required purchase orders and other associated documentation with our suppliers.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in a related or relevant field.
• Proven experience in procurement roles, preferably within technology, engineering or consulting sectors.
• Experience working in both direct and indirect procurement roles is desirable
• Experience working in dynamic, fast paced ‘start up’ type businesses would be beneficial
• Experience working in battery product development programmes
• Experience setting up and developing Procurement teams / capability
• Experience working with global markets, including Asia would be beneficial
• Strong understanding of procurement methodologies, tools, techniques and legislation.
• Wider experience of liaising with integrated supply chains and suppliers would also be beneficial
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate appropriately at all levels of the organisation; this includes written and verbal communication as well as visualisations. The ideal candidate will excel in connecting outcomes, process and execution.
• Team player, able to work effectively at all levels of an organisation with the ability to influence others to move toward alignment.
• Able to work autonomously, driving decision and influencing change. 
• Demonstrated ability to multitask, prioritise competing demands and drive results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to adapt to changes quickly, capable to pivot and focus on competing initiatives, as well as manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Calm under pressure, able to make quick and rational decisions, deliver through ambiguity, while maintaining the project priorities of the team. 
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced, agile environment.
• Essential experience sourcing battery system components and other high voltage system material would be highly desirable
• Experience in Formula 1, motorsports, automotive, defence or aerospace sectors
• CIPS Certification desirable but not essential

It is impossible to list every requirement for, or responsibility of, any position. Similarly, we cannot identify all the skills a position may require since job responsibilities and the Company’s needs may change over time. Therefore, the above job description is not comprehensive or exhaustive. The Company reserves the right to adjust, add to or eliminate any aspect of the above description. The Company also retains the right to require all employees to undertake additional or different job responsibilities when necessary to meet business needs.