Key purpose:

The successful candidate will be rewarded with the opportunity to be a key member of a team with a broad remit to support New Product Introduction and Consultancy projects within the Performance Products business unit of Ricardo.  This business unit specialises in delivering niche powertrain products and supporting product industrialisation planning to many premium brand customers. 

This is an exciting opportunity for someone wishing to apply their procurement/supply-chain experience and knowledge in a dynamic hands-on environment, producing world class products and working closely with a diverse client base. 

Key responsibilities:

As a Procurement Specialist your role will include responsibility for the Management of purchased parts from concept to series production for suppliers and projects you are assigned. Additionally, leading a team of other supply chain professionals your typical objectives will include:  

Lead the supply chain industrialization for a new product line.
Manage the supply chain selection within a complex global supply base.
Meeting with Clients to discuss/define requirements and coordinate supply chain activities between suppliers, clients and Engineering/project teams. 
Develops and delivers purchasing and inventory reports, bid proposals, RFQ’s, requirements documentation, and tender documents.
Competitive bidding (RFQ), negotiating prices / added value and reporting cost-reduction achievements.
Liaising with suppliers and Engineering teams on design feasibility issues, expediting orders and agreeing concessions or return rejects.
Negotiation, contracting, and risk evaluation of/with US and international suppliers. 
Setting up and integrating robust MRP/EDI system becoming a leading SME
Assess supplier capability to meet cost, quality and timing requirements.
Report appropriately to senior leadership.
Meet stringent internal and external targets on cost, delivery and quality.

Structure and reporting relationship

Section 2: Essential role factors

Role autonomy:

This role will be the senior procurement representative based full time in Detroit. Plans are for the team to grow as the project matures. Post SOP the plan is for this role to transition from a new product introduction/industrialization role into a supply chain management role.

Reporting to the VP of supply chain (UK based) this role will work autonomously a lot of the time with agreed escalation processes in place.

Accountability:

The successful candidate will, with the support of the VP of supply chain, be accountable for the on-time delivery of the project and its associated targets.

Leadership:

It is anticipated that this role will oversee a growing team of approximately 6 procurement and supply chain professionals.

Additional/special features of the role:

The role will require frequent travel, mainly in the US but occasionally further afield.

Essential technical and professional skills, knowledge and qualification:

Bachelor’s or other 4-year Degree required. 
Ten years of experience in purchasing/procurement
Knowledge of material work planning and manufacturing methods necessary to meet component requirements.
Experience with warehouse and inventory control.
Strong but customer-aware negotiation skills; ability to influence.
Strong problem solving, analytical and listening skills.
Ability to excel in a fast-paced, dynamic and matrixed organization.
Demonstrated ability to effectively multi-task. 
Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office to include Word, Excel, Access and Power Point

Desirable technical and professional skills, knowledge and qualification:

Experience in a niche volume manufacturing environment.
Experience in powertrain and drivetrain products.
Knowledge of the marine industry preferable but not essential