He will be responsible for buying capital equipment and plant machinery, as well as purchasing maintenance and site construction services as Honda’s 370-acre base in Swindon is enlarged.

“There is a push now for indirect spend to become higher profile and a lot more strategic,” he said.

“Traditionally, car parts have been the focus.”

Bates will also look at setting up several online catalogues, working on teams to consolidate the needs across the business for volume buying and also supplier rationalisation.

Previously, he worked in procurement at BT, where for eight years he was responsible for buying a wide range of goods and services, including network equipment and logistics.