MOKE – Purchasing Manager
Leamington Spa
Reports to: COO
Job Type: Full-time
About MOKE
MOKE is on a mission to manufacture iconic, sustainable, and beautifully British made vehicles that inspire joy, adventure, and connection to the environment, blending timeless beachside charm with modern innovation, redefining the electric driving experience. Designed in the early 1960s by Sir Alec Issigonis, the father of the Austin Mini, the Mini MOKE quickly gained cult status in the French Riviera, Australia, and the Caribbean. James Bond and Brigitte Bardot were both early converts. Having acquired the original 'MOKE' trademark and over 100 other related marks globally, in 2021 MOKE recommenced production in the UK. Over 500 new generation MOKEs have been built to date. In 2022 we were the first heritage automotive brand to go 100% Electric. In 2023, we were the first EV with no roof and no doors to achieve homologation in both Europe and America, with street legal MOKEs now being sold across the Caribbean, Europe, the USA and beyond. Our vision is to be the world's most adored and adventurous premium open-air motoring brand.
Purpose of the Role
The Purchasing Manager is responsible for the strategic and commercial management of MOKE's supply base.
You will own supplier nomination governance, commercial negotiations, cost control, contracts and upstream risk management.
This is not a transactional buying role. It is a hands-on leadership position responsible for professionalising procurement inside a growing EV OEM.
Key Responsibilities
Supply Base Strategy & Governance
• Develop and implement commodity strategies aligned to business growth.
• Lead structured supplier selection and nomination processes.
• Ensure all suppliers operate under formal agreements and clear commercial terms.
• Strengthen payment terms and reduce commercial exposure.
• Reduce supply base volatility and unmanaged single-source risk.
• You will move the business from reactive sourcing to structured, strategic procurement.
Commercial Negotiation & Cost Management
• Lead major commercial negotiations across direct materials.
• Implement disciplined RFQ processes.
• Own piece price governance and cost tracking.
• Deliver annual cost reduction targets.
• Support should-cost modelling and value engineering activity.
• Manage PPV and cost variance reporting.
• You will bring commercial rigour and data-led negotiation into the organisation.
Programme & Change Purchasing
• Lead purchasing activity for engineering changes (ECNs).
• Validate cost, timing and supply risk before approval of change.
• Support sourcing for future vehicle programmes.
• Ensure supplier nominations follow formal governance and commercial review.
• No supplier is appointed without Purchasing approval.
Risk & Contract Management
• Identify and mitigate supply risk exposure.
• Establish dual sourcing where appropriate.
• Formalise LTAs, NDAs, tooling agreements and warranty terms.
• Clarify lead times, MOQs and liability positions contractually.
• You will create upstream commercial control rather than downstream disruption.
Purchasing Function Development
• Define and document purchasing processes and controls.
• Establish clear RACI with MP&L, Engineering and Finance.
• Build KPI dashboards covering cost, sourcing status and risk.
• Develop junior capability.
• Separate strategic activity from transactional ordering.
Success Measures
• % suppliers under formal contract
• Payment term improvement
• Annualised cost reduction (£ and %)
• Reduction in single-source risk
• On-time sourcing completion for programme milestones
• PPV performance vs budget
• Improved commercial governance and visibility
Experience Required
• 8+ years' automotive OEM or Tier 1 purchasing experience.
• Demonstrated experience in commodity strategy and supplier negotiation.
• Proven cost reduction delivery in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong contractual and commercial acumen.
• Experience in scaling or specialist automotive environments advantageous.
• Confident operating cross-functionally with Engineering and Operations.
Personal Attributes
• Commercially sharp and numerate.
• Structured and disciplined.
• Calm, firm negotiator.
• Comfortable challenging assumptions.
• High ownership and accountability.
• Capable of building systems, not just managing transactions.
If you're passionate about manufacturing, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and want to play a key role in the growth of a British automotive brand, we'd love to hear from you.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and a cover letter detailing their relevant experience and why they are excited about the opportunity to join MOKE to