Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Strategic Sourcing Specialist

📍 Location: Gaydon, Warwickshire (CV35 0RR)
💰 Rate: Up to £35.78 per hour (Umbrella)
📅 Contract: Until 2nd August 2027
⏰ Working Pattern: Full-Time, Part-Time, or candidates interested in both will be considered

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Senior Strategic Sourcing Specialist to join a leading automotive organisation based in Gaydon. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in developing and delivering global category strategies, managing complex sourcing activities, and driving commercial value across a diverse supplier base. Working within a high-performing procurement function, you will lead category management and sourcing initiatives, ensuring the achievement of cost, quality, risk, and strategic business objectives while collaborating with stakeholders across multiple regions.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

Category Strategy

• Develop, maintain and deliver Strategic Category Plans in line with annual targets.
• Utilise supplier, market and business analytics to inform category decisions.
• Apply category strategies to sourcing activities, supplier selection and route-to-market decisions.
• Ensure stakeholder and regional alignment to support strategy deployment.

Sourcing

• Deliver sourcing projects in line with policy, GSP requirements and Total Cost of Ownership principles.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations, securing necessary legal, financial and governance approvals.
• Prepare and submit Global Strategy Approach Documents and ensure GSP compliance.
• Drive stakeholder engagement and regional alignment on sourcing strategies.
• Deliver category savings targets and support Make vs Buy assessments.
• Manage supply chain risks and ensure regional teams adhere to category strategies.
• Collaborate with specialist functions including Finance, Risk and Legal.
• Act as the primary point of contact for supplier engagement and commercial discussions.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

• CIPS qualified/accredited.
• End-to-end procurement expertise across the 8-step procurement cycle.
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and manage complex sourcing activities.
• Flexible, agile and adaptable to changing business priorities.
• Results-oriented with resilience, drive and a proven track record of delivery in demanding environments.
• Willingness to travel to supplier and JLR locations.

Desirable

• Knowledge of construction procurement and contract forms such as JCT, NEC and FIDIC.
• Understanding of construction industry markets and supply chains.
• Experience working closely with operational stakeholders within the category area.
• Previous supplier-side or category-specific industry experience.