Buyer

AP Racing Ltd; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

AP Racing Ltd in the United Kingdom is seeking a Buyer to join our purchasing team, translating technical requirements into strategic sourcing decisions for direct and indirect purchases across OE, motorsport, and upgrade programs.

You will lead supplier qualification, run RFQs, negotiate terms, and develop cost-reduction initiatives while ensuring compliance with quality standards and sustainability objectives.

Qualifications

• Experience in technical purchasing within manufacturing or engineering.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications.
• Proven RFQ experience, quotation evaluation and supplier negotiation.
• Understanding of supplier qualification, quality systems and traceability.
• Strong should-cost/cost breakdown analysis skills.
• Confident communicator with engineers, suppliers and stakeholders.
• Proficient in Excel (lookups, pivot tables) and ERP/MRP systems.
• Experience in automotive, motorsport, aerospace or precision engineering.
• Knowledge of machined components, castings, forgings, materials or composites.
• Experience with PPAP/FAI and OE supplier approvals.
• Experience with international sourcing, customs and import regs.
• MCIPS or working towards it; degree in engineering, supply chain or business.

Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing projects for new and existing parts from technical review to supplier nomination.
• Review drawings and requirements with Engineering, and advise on cost/manufacturability.
• Prepare RFQs, compare quotations on total cost, recommend suppliers.
• Identify and develop new suppliers for low-volume, high-mix parts.
• Perform make-versus-buy and process selection decisions.
• Qualify suppliers via capability assessments, audits and first article inspection.
• Support OE programmes with supplier approvals, PPAP/FAI and change control.
• Build should-cost models and support negotiation of prices and long-term agreements.
• Drive cost-reduction initiatives and track savings.
• Analyze spend and market data to inform category strategies.
• Lead indirect and capital sourcing, tendering and evaluation of equipment.
• Assess supplier risk and ensure regulatory and quality compliance.

Skills

Technical purchasing

Reading drawings

RFQ & negotiation

Supplier qualification

Cost analysis

Stakeholder communication

Excel proficient

Global sourcing

PPAP/FAI

International sourcing

Education

Engineering degree

Supply chain/business degree

MCIPS (or pursuing)

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

We are looking for a Buyer to join our purchasing team and provide credible procurement capability by finding, qualifying and developing the right suppliers and securing the best commercial and technical outcomes.

You will work closely with engineering and quality, translating technical requirements into sourcing decisions for direct purchases (production materials and components) and indirect purchases (tooling and equipment). The role covers three very different business streams: OE programmes with long development cycles and strict customer requirements, top level motorsport where lead times are short, and upgrade kits where cost and availability drive commercial success.

The Role

Sourcing and supplier selection

• Lead sourcing projects for new and existing parts, from technical review through to supplier nomination and contract award
• Review drawings, specifications and requirements with Engineering, and challenge them where cost, manufacturability or supply risk can be improved
• Prepare and issue RFQs, compare quotations on a total cost basis and recommend suppliers to the Procurement Manager
• Identify and develop new suppliers, particularly for specialist, low-volume and high-mix requirements
• Make make-versus-buy and process selection recommendations (machined, cast, forged or fabricated)

Supplier qualification and quality

• Qualify new suppliers through capability assessments, audits, samples and first article inspection
• Support OE programmes with supplier approval, PPAP/FAI and change control requirements
• Assess alternative materials and processes proposed by suppliers, working with Engineering to validate them

Commercial management

• Build should-cost models and cost breakdowns to support negotiation and challenge quotations
• Negotiate prices, terms, tooling and long-term agreements, in conjunction with the Purchasing Manager
• Develop cost reduction initiatives and track savings
• Analyse spend and market data to support category strategies and identify opportunities
• Ensure business plan objectives are met including monthly Price Variance.

Indirect and capital sourcing

• Lead sourcing for indirect categories, including machine tools, cutting tools, test and calibration equipment, subcontract processing, maintenance and professional services
• Run competitive tenders and evaluate capital equipment purchases with budget holders

Risk and compliance

• Assess supplier risk, including financial health, single-source exposure and capacity, and recommend mitigation
• Support compliance with export control, trade regulations and quality standards (IATF 16949 / ISO 9001)
• Maintain accurate supplier approval, contract and sourcing records

ESG and responsible sourcing

• Embed environmental, social and governance criteria into supplier selection, tender evaluation and contract terms
• Assess suppliers against our Supplier Code of Conduct, covering human rights, labour practices, health and safety, anti-bribery and corruption, and business ethics
• Carry out supply chain due diligence on high-risk materials and regions, including conflict minerals and traceability of raw materials such as carbon fibre, titanium, aluminium and rare metals
• Collect and review supplier sustainability data, including carbon emissions, energy use, waste, recycled content and environmental certifications (such as ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 50001), to support the company's reporting and customer requirements
• Respond to OE customer sustainability questionnaires and audits, and support supplier ratings such as NQC
• Work with suppliers to reduce environmental impact, set improvement targets and identify lower-carbon materials, processes and logistics options
• Support our Modern Slavery Act statement and wider ESG reporting by maintaining accurate supplier information

What We Want From You

• Experience in technical purchasing, sourcing or supplier development within a manufacturing or engineering environment
• Strong ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications
• Proven experience running RFQs, evaluating quotations and negotiating with technical suppliers
• Understanding of supplier qualification, quality systems and traceability requirements
• Strong analytical skills, including should-cost or cost breakdown analysis
• Confident communicator who can work with engineers, suppliers and senior stakeholders
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel (lookups and pivot tables) and experienced with ERP/MRP systems
• Experience in automotive, motorsport, aerospace or other precision engineering
• Knowledge of machined components, castings, forgings, friction materials or composites
• Experience with PPAP/FAI and OE customer supplier-approval processes
• Experience with international sourcing, customs and import regulations
• MCIPS or working towards it, and a degree or technical qualification in engineering, supply chain or business