Pan Qing, promoted to Global Purchasing Director.
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced a significant change to its senior management structure, promoting its current China president and CEO, Pan Qing, to the position of global purchasing director.
The appointment takes immediate effect. Mr Pan will retain his leadership of JLR’s China operations while assuming responsibility for global purchasing, placing him at the centre of the company’s worldwide supply chain strategy.
The decision to give Mr Pan a dual mandate reflects the growing strategic importance of China to JLR — not only as a major sales market, but also as a key sourcing and supplier hub.
Global purchasing has become one of the most critical functions within automotive businesses. Supply chain instability, semiconductor shortages, electrification demands and geopolitical pressures have forced manufacturers to rethink procurement structures. By placing purchasing under an executive deeply embedded in the Chinese market, JLR appears to be strengthening links between its global sourcing operations and one of the world’s most influential automotive ecosystems.
China plays a central role in areas such as battery materials, electronics and advanced manufacturing components. Aligning purchasing leadership more closely with that market could improve cost efficiency, supplier coordination and risk management.
Tim Howard appointed CEO of JLR China
Tim Howard, previously chief financial officer of JLR China, has been appointed CEO of JLR China. In his new role, he will oversee day-to-day operations in the market.
At the same time, chief commercial officer Wu Chen and his team will now report directly to Mr Howard, consolidating commercial and operational leadership under the new China CEO structure.
These moves clarify reporting lines within the Chinese organisation while allowing Mr Pan to focus on his broader global purchasing mandate.
The reshuffle comes as JLR continues its wider transformation programme, including electrification, brand repositioning and operational restructuring.
In an industry increasingly defined by supply resilience and technological integration, leadership alignment around purchasing and regional strength is no longer a back-office adjustment — it is a strategic priority.
