EU Indirect Buyer, IT/IS

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

The EU IT/IS Indirect Buyer is responsible for managing IT/IS hardware and software commodities across European sites, including the UK, France, Spain, and Germany. This role involves developing a market intelligence program to benchmark industry indicators for accurate price forecasting and risk mitigation, as well as building strong connections with Global and Local Purchasing teams to support strategies and supplier development. Key responsibilities include ensuring continuous operational improvements with contracted suppliers, acting as the escalation contact for EU/UK site issues, managing vendor engagement and RFQs, and aligning plant needs with Global leadership for cost reductions, improved payment terms, and contractual finalizations. The role also involves timely communication and implementation of negotiation outcomes, establishing ISO-based processes to streamline activities, assessing supplier performance for improvements, and working cross-functionally to set and monitor QCD targets and KPIs for local, EU, and Global leaders.

Responsibilities

• Manage IT/IS hardware and software commodities covering all European sites (e.g., UK, France, Spain, Germany).
• Develop a market intelligence program across the region that benchmarks key industry indicators/market price to ensure accurate price forecasting and risk mitigation.
• Build and maintain strong connections with Global and Local Purchasing to support strategies and develop suppliers both regionally and locally.
• Ensure continuous operational improvement by ensuring contracted suppliers deliver required service levels, acting as key escalation contact for EU/UK site operational issues managed by Local teams.
• Identify and engage EU/UK vendors; develop requests for information/quotations (RFI-RFQ); align plant functional needs in coordination with Global leaders to support TdC activities (i.e., cost reduction YOY -5 to -15%, payment conditions improvements, catalogue discounted rebates, contractual finalization).
• Ensure timely implementation and communication resulting from EU/UK negotiations to required business partners.
• Implement ISO-based processes to streamline daily activities and ensure a path to continuous improvement.
• Assess and evaluate suppliers to undertake performance reviews driving improvement activities.
• Work cross-functionally to establish QCD targets, objectives, and monitor/report KPIs to local management, EU, and Global Leaders.

Background & Requirements

• University qualification.
• Proven experience in indirect procurement covering IT/IS services within a manufacturing environment of at least 5 years, including supplier engagement, negotiation, and cost reductions.
• Strong negotiation skills, with the ability to influence local functions and work to tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills to build relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Effective analytical skills to evaluate commodity market trends and report to EU/UK leadership.
• Ability to investigate new supply markets to assess existing and new supplier capabilities to strengthen cost reductions and supply rationalization.
• An inquisitive and open attitude to exploring new ideas and willingness for continuous improvement.
• Fluency in English is essential (C1 level).
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Power BI, and SAP.
• Willingness to travel within the EU and sometimes in Asia.
• Driving licence.
• CIPS or MCIPS is preferred.