Buyer

Senior Aerospace Thermal Engineering; Watford; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent pension and life assurance

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Health cash plan scheme

Employee discount scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Career and development opportunities

Free on-site car parking

Job summary

Senior Aerospace Thermal Engineering in Watford, UK is seeking a Buyer to manage supply chain for engineered components, materials and services, building strong supplier partnerships in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This office-based role focuses on sourcing, negotiations and ensuring timely delivery at best value.

You will raise POs via MRP, manage consignments, conduct supplier reviews, support audits, and maintain procurement data in ERP/MRP systems while collaborating with

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Procurement, ideally within aerospace or manufacturing.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Ability to analyse cost, supplier performance.

Responsibilities

• Source, negotiate, and manage suppliers to achieve competitive pricing, quality, and delivery.
• Raise and manage purchase orders through Material Requirements Planning (MRP), ensuring timely supply for production schedules.
• Manage consignments’ stock levels.
• Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers capable of meeting aerospace manufacturing requirements.
• Manage RFQs (Requests for Quotation), analyse proposals, and negotiate cost, lead time, and contractual terms.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels while preventing shortages and production delays.
• Conduct supplier reviews focusing on quality, delivery adherence, and cost competitiveness.
• Support supplier audits in collaboration with Quality and Engineering teams.
• Maintain accurate procurement data in ERP/MRP systems.
• Maintain records of contracts, supplier agreements, and purchase order histories.
• Cost savings achieved through negotiation and process improvements
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Finance
• Check order acknowledgements and confirm delivery dates.
• Attending supplier meetings as required to support in maintaining relationships.
• Create Monthly KPI’s for Suppliers
• Resolve supplier issues and support quality and engineering teams with specification queries.
• Maintain accurate procurement records and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Supplier negotiations

ERP/MRP experience

Analytical cost analysis

Stakeholder communication

Inventory management

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

MS Excel

Job description

Job Description

About the Role

As a Buyer, you will play an essential role in managing the supply chain for engineered components, materials, and services. You’ll work closely with suppliers and internal teams to ensure the business receives quality products on time and at the best possible value. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced, manufacturing-led environment and enjoys building strong supplier partnerships. Office based role.

Key Responsibilities

• Source, negotiate, and manage suppliers to achieve competitive pricing, quality, and delivery.
• Raise and manage purchase orders through Material Requirements Planning (MRP), ensuring timely supply for production schedules.
• Manage consignments’ stock levels.
• Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers capable of meeting aerospace manufacturing requirements.
• Manage RFQs (Requests for Quotation), analyse proposals, and negotiate cost, lead time, and contractual terms.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels while preventing shortages and production delays.
• Conduct supplier reviews focusing on quality, delivery adherence, and cost competitiveness.
• Support supplier audits in collaboration with Quality and Engineering teams.
• Maintain accurate procurement data in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)/MRP systems.
• Maintain records of contracts, supplier agreements, and purchase order histories.
• Cost savings achieved through negotiation and process improvements
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Finance
• Check order acknowledgements and confirm delivery dates.
• Attending supplier meetings as required to support in maintaining relationships.
• Create Monthly KPI’s for Suppliers
• Resolve supplier issues and support quality and engineering teams with specification queries.
• Maintain accurate procurement records and support continuous improvement initiatives.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in Procurement, ideally within aerospace or manufacturing.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Ability to analyse cost, supplier performance.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
• Organised, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities.

Additional Information

Our benefits package includes

• Excellent pension and life assurance scheme
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Holiday buy & sell options
• Health cash plan scheme
• Employee discount scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Career and development opportunities
• Reward and recognition
• Free on-site car parking

Thermal Engineering are an Equal Opportunities employer who is committed to creating a working environment where our people will grow and thrive. We strive to create the conditions for our employees to develop their potential in a workplace where there is respect and value for diversity and wellbeing.