Buyer

Safran; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Pension scheme

25 days annual leave

Career development

Job summary

Safran in Gloucester seeks a Buyer to manage sourcing and purchasing across assigned commodities, balancing cost, quality, delivery, service, risk and sustainability.

You will lead RFQ/RFPs, negotiate contracts, drive supplier performance and embed CSR and digital transformation in purchasing. Strong English, ERP experience and relevant procurement qualifications are preferred, with aerospace/manufacturing experience a plus.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience within a Purchasing, Procurement or commercial environment.
• Strong understanding of procurement methodologies and sourcing processes.
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Good understanding of commercial contracts and supplier management.
• Experience using ERP or procurement information systems.

Responsibilities

• Conduct UK-level spend analysis, market intelligence and benchmarking to identify sourcing opportunities.
• Support P2P processes, raise and maintain purchase orders and resolve queries.
• Develop commodity and sourcing strategies aligned with Group Purchasing objectives.
• Lead RFQ, RFP and competitive tendering activities evaluating proposals based on TCO.
• Identify and deliver cost savings and value-improvement opportunities through negotiation.
• Lead commercial negotiations and contract management with Legal and stakeholders.
• Identify, assess and manage supplier risks including financial and contractual risks.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and engage Purchasing early in sourcing.
• Manage supplier performance against KPIs and drive improvements.
• Proactively manage contractual issues and disputes with escalation as needed.
• Support sustainability and CSR through sourcing decisions and supplier management.
• Drive continuous improvement, digital transformation and use of AI in Purchasing.
• Maintain accurate purchasing and contract data in business systems.

Skills

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Numerical analysis

English proficiency

Project management

Strategic sourcing

ERP systems experience

Education

CIPS qualification

Supply Chain/Procurement qualification

Tools

ERP software

Job description

The Buyer is responsible for managing sourcing and purchasing activities across assigned commodities, ensuring business requirements are met through the optimum balance of cost, quality, delivery, service, risk and sustainability. The role manages the end-to-end purchasing lifecycle, from development of purchasing strategies, market resource, competitive tendering, negotiation and contracting, supplier performance management and ongoing contract management. Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct UK-level spend analysis, market intelligence and benchmarking across assigned commodities to identify sourcing opportunities, efficiencies, risks and areas for consolidation.
• Support the operational Purchase-to-Pay (P2P) process, including raising and maintaining purchase orders, resolving PO and invoice queries, and ensuring purchasing data remains accurate and up to date.
• Develop and implement commodity and sourcing strategies aligned with business and Group Purchasing objectives.
• Lead RFQ, RFP and competitive tendering activities, evaluating proposals based on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), commercial competitiveness, risk and overall value.
• Identify and deliver cost savings, cost avoidance and value-improvement opportunities, supported by effective negotiation strategies.
• Lead commercial negotiations and contract management, working with Legal and stakeholders to establish appropriate pricing, service levels, liabilities, performance obligations and commercial protections.
• Identify, assess and manage supplier and commercial risks, including financial, operational, contractual, capacity and business continuity risks.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, challenging requirements where appropriate and ensuring Purchasing is engaged early in the sourcing process.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance against agreed commercial, quality, delivery and service KPIs, driving improvement and corrective actions where required.
• Proactively manage commercial and contractual issues and disputes, escalating material risks where appropriate.
• Support sustainability and CSR objectives through sourcing decisions, supplier selection, contracting and supplier management.
• Drive continuous improvement, digital transformation and appropriate use of AI to improve Purchasing processes, data quality, efficiency and decision-making.
• Maintain accurate purchasing, supplier and contract data within relevant business systems.

But what else? (benefits, specificities, etc.)

• Demonstrable experience within a Purchasing, Procurement or commercial environment.
• Good knowledge of procurement methodologies and sourcing processes, including tendering, supplier selection and contract management.
• Strong commercial and numerical skills, with the ability to analyse quotations, costs and supplier proposals.
• Strong negotiation, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Good understanding of commercial contracts, contractual risk and supplier management.
• Highly organised and able to manage multiple priorities and sourcing activities independently.
• Self-motivated and resilient, with the ability to take ownership of activities through to commercial closure.
• Experience using ERP, purchasing or procurement information systems, with good general digital capability.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• CIPS qualification, working towards CIPS, or an equivalent procurement/commercial qualification.
• Relevant Business, Procurement or Supply Chain qualification, or equivalent professional experience.
• Project management experience, particularly involving cross-functional stakeholders.
• Experience within an industrial, manufacturing or aerospace environment.
• Experience of strategic sourcing, supplier development and continuous improvement.

Desirable

• CIPS qualification, working towards CIPS, or an equivalent procurement/commercial qualification.
• Relevant Business, Procurement or Supply Chain qualification, or equivalent professional experience.
• Project management experience, particularly involving cross-functional stakeholders.
• Experience within an industrial, manufacturing or aerospace environment.
• Experience of strategic sourcing, supplier development and continuous improvement.

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's ""World's Best Companies 2025"" ranking., Safran - Here, we craft excellence together. At Safran, excellence is a journey - and we'd love you to be a part of it. As a trusted global leader in aerospace, defence, and space, we are proud to be a company where diversity, innovation, and opportunity come together to shape a sustainable future where we can all succeed together through a shared vision.

Looking after the people who make Safran great is our priority. We offer a range of flexible benefits designed to support you, both in and out of work, including:

• Competitive salary
• Company performance bonus scheme
• Pension scheme - up to 10% employer contribution
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• We support your ambitions with training, development, a personalised career plan and mobility opportunities.