Strategic Buyer

Job Overview / Purpose
This is role requires a dynamic and pro-active buyer capable in solving the root cause of problems and delivering solutions. Working in a fluid Purchasing and Operations environment, the role requires the ability to be flexible in managing and prioritising a number of subjects. A highly varied role where commodity strategy, project management, contract knowledge, negotiation and influencing skills will be utilised. The role provides an opportunity for a Buyer to progress to a new level within an Aerospace business.Primary Responsibilities
The main purpose of this role is to create, implement and manage commodity strategies to de-risk and ensure the security of supply by the use of high performing suppliers to support overall business objectives. They will identify and complete productivity projects within defined commodity groups to deliver yearly productivity savings. The role is responsible for implementing actions to minimise any adverse Purchase Price Variance in line with the Business target.
As a strategic role, key involvement in New Product and Project supplier selection and approvals will be required. The role will be agile and sensitive to actions driven out by the operational needs of the business, with the Strategic Buyer acting as escalation level for the Operational Buyer for complex supply and pricing negotiations required.
The role will require cross functional working with Engineering and Quality so a strong voice is required to drive the right outcomes for the business. An operating function will require collaborative thinking and work with other global sites.Key Responsibilities / Day-To-Day Tasks
Manage a defined range of commodities and key suppliers driving improvements to the 5 Rights in support of business objectives.Identify risk within the supply chain and manage the appropriate plans to address these in line with recognised tools and standardsEnsure MRP system parameters are maintained (Pricing, Supplier allocation and Priority)Manage Source change activitiesWork on Productivity projectsMaintain the Supplier performance and risk dashboardComplete Supplier visits and quarterly strategic business reviewsContribute to and lead key improvement projects related to systems and processes in use both within the department and cross-functionallyWork cross functionally supporting NPI and Innovation projectsResolve held supplier invoice queriesSupport and provide a commercial interface for purchase of non-production requirementsCommunicate well as part of the team and with both internal and external stakeholdersQualifications/Skills/Experience
Essential
A minimum of 2 years purchasing experience of machined and / or electrical parts within a manufacturing environmentExperience of Supplier risk managementPrevious proven experience of managing sourcing solutions and supply chain problems within the external supply chainCommercially astute with contract experienceStrong negotiation and communication skillsDemonstratable experience and success in previous roleTask performance driven and keen to progressA strong individual capable of working on own initiative whilst being a good team playerUnderstanding of MRP systems and parametersExperienced in managing, interpreting and analysing purchasing dataExcellent IT skills and user knowledge of Microsoft Office
strong excel skills, use of V Lookup and Pivot tablesFull UK driving licence and ability to travel both internationally and domesticallyDesirable
Previous experience of working in a Strategic Procurement roleMCIPS or studying towards, Level 4 minimumKnowledge of Source change processPurchasing experience within Aerospace and with medium volume / high mix production environmentBusiness / Commercial audit experienceQualification in engineering or a business discipline (ideally degree qualified) or experience in working in a technical environmentUnderstanding and experience of export regulations and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)Experience in a lean manufacturing / Supply ChainContinuous improvement and problem-solving experienceQualities
TenacityEnergeticMethodicalFlexibleAttention to detailProactive and drivenStrategic thinkerCompetencies
Customer Focus: knows how and understand the needs of internal and external customers. Is result orientated and works hard to consistently provide exceptional serviceEthics and Values: adheres to an effective set of core values and beliefs and acts in accordanceIntegrity and Trust: widely trusted and seen as direct and truthfulValues Diversity: supports fair and equal treatment of allProblem Solving: Looks beyond the obvious to find effective solutionsFunctional technical skills: possesses the skills to be effective in the job and has the skills to perform the job at a high level of accomplishmentListening: practices active and attentive listening, able to hear othersAction orientated: full on energy, willing to take actionComposure: cool under pressure, not knocked off balance by the unexpected is a settling influence