Purchasing Manager

AP Racing Ltd; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

AP Racing Ltd in the United Kingdom seeks a Purchasing Manager to own procurement across direct materials and indirects. You will support three business streams—Race, OE, and Upgrade Kits—and build a flexible yet robust supplier base for low-volume, high-precision manufacturing.

You will lead the purchasing team, drive cost reduction, ensure quality and traceability, and align with IATF 16949 / ISO 9001 standards while managing export controls and compliance.

Qualifications

• Significant purchasing or supply chain experience in automotive or precision engineering.
• Experience sourcing and managing technical suppliers for low-volume, high-mix production.
• Proven ability to negotiate complex commercial agreements.
• Working knowledge of automotive quality systems and supplier approval processes.
• Experience leading or developing a team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the purchasing strategy for direct materials and indirect spend.
• Source, qualify and manage suppliers, including audits/performance reviews.
• Support OE programmes from quotation through to launch and series supply.
• Secure fast, reliable supply for Formula 1 requirements and manage urgent orders.
• Negotiate contracts and long-term agreements; manage tooling and capacity commitments.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, production planning and finance on NPI and cost targets.
• Monitor raw material markets and supplier financial health; implement contingencies.

Skills

Supply chain strategy

Supplier management

Negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Financial acumen

International logistics

Team leadership

Education

Degree in a relevant discipline

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

We are looking for a Purchasing Manager to take ownership of all procurement across the business, covering both direct materials and indirect goods and services. You will support three very different business streams: Race where lead times are short and deadlines are immovable, OE with long development cycles and strict customer quality requirements, and Upgrade Kits where cost, availability and stock planning drive commercial success. You will build a supply base that is flexible enough to cope with small batch quantities and urgent requests, yet robust enough to meet the quality standards of premium automotive and top-level motorsport.

The Role

Purchasing Strategy and Commercial Management

• Develop and deliver the purchasing strategy for direct materials and components (discs, friction materials, caliper castings and forgings, machined parts, seals, fasteners, packaging) and indirect spend
• Source, qualify and manage suppliers, including audits/performance reviews whilst maintaining and building effective relationships
• Support OE programmes from quotation through to launch and series supply, including PPAP/ISIR documentation, customer supplier-approval requirements and ongoing change control
• Secure fast, reliable supply for Formula 1 requirements, managing urgent orders without compromising traceability or compliance
• Negotiate contracts, pricing and long-term agreements suited to low-volume manufacturing, including tooling and capacity commitments
• Work with engineering, quality, production planning and finance to support new product introduction, cost reduction and budget targets
• Monitor raw material markets, supplier financial health and supply risks, and put contingency plans in place, including dual sourcing where appropriate
• Lead and develop the purchasing team, setting clear objectives and encouraging a culture of accountability and improvement
• Ensure compliance with export control, sanctions and trade regulations, and with IATF 16949 / ISO 9001 quality requirements
• Drive continuous improvement in procurement processes, systems and VA/VE
• Support global supply chain initiatives such as environmental, social and governance goals as mandated by corporate

What We Want From You

• Significant purchasing or supply chain experience in automotive, motorsport, aerospace or another precision engineering environment backed by a degree in a relevant discipline
• Experience sourcing and managing technical suppliers for low-volume, high-mix production
• Proven ability to negotiate complex commercial agreements
• Working knowledge of automotive quality systems and supplier approval processes
• Experience leading or developing a team
• Strong commercial, analytical and financial skills
• Excellent communication skills, with the confidence and technical credibility to work with engineers and suppliers
• Commercially focused, resilient and comfortable making evidence-based decisions.
• Collaborative, accountable and committed to high standards of integrity and customer service.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (e.g. SAP, Microsoft Dynamics or similar)
• Experience in brake systems, friction materials, machined components or castings and forgings
• MCIPS or a similar professional qualification
• Experience with international logistics, customs and export regulations