Technical Buyer

Lola Cars; Three Rivers; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 60,000

Job description

Job Title: Technical Buyer

Start Date: Immediately vacant.

Salary: Competitive based on experience

Location: Silverstone (mainly onsite)

Hours: Full time

Reports to: Operations Manager

Role Type: Permanent

The Revival of a Legend:

Lola Cars, one of the world’s iconic motorsport brands, and the most successful manufacturer of customer racing cars of all time. Since 1958, we have been building cars destined to win on the track.

Lola Cars has cultivated a brand synonymous with engineering excellence, iconic design and racing success. Under new ownership, Lola is committed to pushing innovation in engineering and as part of this commitment, Lola intends to release the IP back into the ecosystems and develop products that have far reaching impacts beyond motorsports.

The Opportunity:

A fabulous opportunity for a Technical Buyer to join the small yet growing, dedicated and talented team at Lola as we embark on the next phase of the adventure. The Technical Buyer role is particularly important at this stage of the growth of the business. Responsible for working with the Engineering and Business teams on both a strategic and operational basis to identify suppliers and source components meeting the technical and commercial targets.

Role Responsibilities:

1. Works with the Technical and Business teams to identify suppliers meeting technical, quality, and commercial objectives.
2. Manages and develops supplier relationships to ensure quality and delivery performance.
3. Works with the Technical Team to assist with supplier identification, selection, and gathering of technical and cost information.
4. Works to achieve a network of trusted suppliers.
5. Negotiates prices and delivery schedules with suppliers.
6. Accompanies senior management on occasional supplier visits.
7. Maintains the computerised recording of stock movements in and out of the department.
8. Works with the Technical and Business Teams to define and manage the Project Budgets.
9. Works with the Design Team Leaders and Technical Project Leaders to define and maintain the Project Plans.
10. Ensures all procurement activities meet the requirements of the Project Technical Specifications, Project Plans and Budgets and comply with the Lola standards and guidelines.
11. Contributes regular input to the Project Reports to give visibility to costs and delivery schedules.
12. Works with the Technical and Business Teams to manage activities carried out by external suppliers for design, development, and production.
13. Attends regular Project Review Meetings as required to track progress across technical areas and ensure alignment with the Project Technical Specification, Project Plan and Budget.
14. Contributes to the Project Faults reporting and rectification process and ensures supplier faults are dealt with effectively in a timely manner.
15. Works with external suppliers to ensure technical, quality and budget requirements for components are met.
16. Assists with recruitment, including candidate proposals and selection.
17. Mentors new team members as required.
18. Contributes to the development of the Lola Structure and Processes.
19. Ensures all documentation is saved in a disciplined, well organised manner and that the relevant Lola team members have access to the information they require.
20. Pays attention to detail in all areas.

Skills required:

1. Self-motivated to develop, drive and deliver the purchasing remit.
2. Ability to work both independently and as a team player.
3. Communicates and demonstrates progress towards the end-goal.
4. Confidence and knowledge to raise issues and develop solutions.
5. Technical knowledge to understand the purchasing requirements.
6. Relatively comfortable operating in a fluid, changing environment.
7. Strong attention to and enjoys the detail.
8. Methodical and measured in approach.
9. Personable in representing the company with external suppliers.
10. Builds rapport and ongoing supplier relationships.
11. Strong negotiation skills to meet budget requirements.
12. Research skills to find out about the background of materials and suppliers.
13. Initiative, to find ways to achieve/deliver what is required.
14. Interest and knowledge of automotives / motorsport.
15. Knowledge of audio-visual formats and information technology are highly desirable.
16. Proficient PC skills.

Qualifications & Experience required:

1. Buyer to take responsibility for and deliver the purchasing agenda.
2. Degree Level or commensurate work experience.
3. Motorsport, engineering degree desirable but not essential.
4. Project Management experience desirable but not essential.
5. Some experience in working with database management desirable.
6. An interest in and understanding of engineering/motorsport.
7. Knowledge of sustainability and sustainable materials would be advantageous.

The Successful Candidate might be:

1. An existing experienced buyer, purchaser at a motorsport/ automotive company.
2. A procurement enthusiast who has acquired the appropriate experience, skills & knowledge.
3. An experienced engineer with the skills and knowledge looking for a change in role.
4. A supplier looking to move to an in-house procurement role.

Role Location & Hours:

The role is likely to be based at the Silverstone, Lola Facility with the potential for some flexibility for remote working. If you are unable to commit to the location or full-time hours but possess the relevant skills and interest in the role, please do still contact us.

Interested in the role?

1. Please send your CV accompanied by a short cover letter explaining why you are suitable for the role, salary expectations and availability to start.
2. If you have any questions or would like to know any further details please do make contact.

Closing Date: 30th March 2025

We look forward to hearing from you.