Steven Cavana is a senior buyer with over 18 years of experience in the automotive industry. He is currently responsible for an annual procurement spend of over £8 million at Aston Martin, where he has consistently met or exceeded his cost reduction targets. Cavana has extensive experience managing commodity strategies and negotiating with suppliers. He holds a CIPS qualification and university degree in business administration.

1. CURRICULUM VITAE
Steven John Cavana
Tel:
Mob:
Email: steven.cavana@gmail.com
Linkedin profile: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/steven-cavana-862b5b24
PERSONAL PROFILE
Currently a Senior Buyer at Aston Martin, I am a dedicated and experienced purchasing
professional with over 18 years’ experience in the automotive industry. I am currently
responsible for an annual spend of over £8 Million and thrive in a busy commercial
environment. I will take the lead in difficult situations, working for a solution for all parties. I
conduct myself professionally, with integrity and strive for results. University educated, CIPS
qualified to Level 5, I am commercially astute, with excellent analytical and communication
skills. I am able to work equally effectively as an individual or as part of a cross-functional
team.
KEY SKILLS
Negotiation: Successful negotiator with a proven track record of cost reductions.
Strategy: The creation, development and management of procurement strategies that
address customer and market driven requirements.
Self management: Responsible for managing own work load and delivering objectives to
agreed timeframes.
Analysis: Able to analyse effectively cost data, financial data, project timing plans and
negotiate contracts to a mutually acceptable position.
Problem solving: Responsible for identifying potential risk to sourcing and negotiation
strategies and devising risk mitigation strategies to avoid potential supply chain problems.
Communication: Main commercial interface with internal and external customers and
suppliers for all commercial issues and current and new product developments. I consider
myself to be a successful networker.
People management: Responsible for managing small team of buyers on a day-to-day basis,
ensuring that all targets are delivered to agreed timeframes through regular meetings.
QUALIFICATIONS
CIPS Associate Member (Member number 005051123), Level 5 Qualified
BA (Hons) Business Administration, 2:2
2 A-Levels & 7 GCSEs
TRAINING
2014: Bailment training
2013: Terms & Conditions, Non-Disclosure training
2012: QAF (Quotation Analysis Form) training
2010: Conducting Effective Appraisals
2010: Value Stream Mapping – event completed at supplier May 2010
2008: Team Leadership and Developing Team Performance

2. 2007: Leading and Motivating the Team
2005: Inspirational Team Leadership
2005: Lean Awareness Training
2003: Six Sigma Green Belt Training
EXPERIENCE
January 2012 to date: Senior Buyer, BIW - Aston Martin Lagonda
Commodities as follows:
BIW (Body in White) A-surface and structural composite and aluminium body panels
Key achievements:
 Led a VA/VE savings activity plan with high value strategic supplier: total piece cost
saving of 8.8% achieved over 3 year period. Total saving to business: £633,000
 Led the sourcing of all aluminium & composite body panels for new model programs -
suppliers nominated within program budget costs with agreed year on year savings.
Total expected saving to business: £200,000 over 4 years
January 2010 to December 2011: Senior Buyer, Chassis - Aston Martin Lagonda
Commodities as follows:
Chassis suspension and braking components: springs & dampers, braking corner units,
electric park brake, anti-roll bars
Key achievements:
 Implementation of 2 commodity strategies (braking & damping) at director level to
deliver business needs with regard to technology, cost and performance
 Led the sourcing of all chassis damping & braking components with year on year
savings: Total saving to business: £140,000 over 4 years
November 2005 – December 2009: Senior Buyer, Electrical - Aston Martin Lagonda
Commodities as follows:
Electrical distribution system: wiring harnesses, fuse boxes. All internal switchgear.
Key achievements:
 Implementation of 2 commodity strategies (Wiring Harnesses & Switchgear) at
director level to deliver business needs with regard to technology, cost and
performance
 Agreement with a strategic supplier for a 10 year cost reduction plan as a result of
resourcing harness manufacturing to a low cost country. Total saving to business:
£1,200,000
January 2003 – October 2005: Senior Buyer, Powertrain - Aston Martin Lagonda

3. Commodities as follows:
Base engine: engine block, cylinder heads, cranks, pistons, connecting-rods, camshafts
Key achievement:
Resource of V12 & V8 engine manufacturing from UK supplier (Cosworth) to German OEM
(Ford Cologne)
March 2001 – December 2002: Buyer, Powertrain - Aston Martin Lagonda
Commodities as follows:
Powertrain: air-con system, air induction system, engine cooling system, thermal insulation
June 1997 – February 2002 Supply Account Manager - Unipart Group Ltd
Overall buying responsibility for a wide range of components and systems for Jaguar
approved spare parts. Objectives included ensuring maximum availability of parts, supplier
management, leading and resolving parts supply problems and cost management.
COMMERCIAL PERFORMANCE
Year
Annual
Spend
Annual Cost
Reduction
Value
Annual Cost
Reduction %
Target %
2014 £10,260,300 £268,749 2.62% 2.59%
2013 £10,010,011 £511,854 5.11% 2.89%
2012 £2,200,765 £51,200 2.33% 0.00%
2011 £13,922,512 £330,451 2.37% 2.00%
2010 £16,453,059 £575,315 3.50% 2.00%
2009 £5,664,614 £203,517 3.59% 2.40%
2008 £10,362,009 £284,234 2.74% 3.00%
2007 £11,796,194 £668,943 5.67% 5.00%
2006 £13,496,584 £478,761 3.55% 3.00%
References & Appraisals available upon request
Full clean UK driving licence & Passport