Category Buyer

AVIC Cabin Systems (UK) Limited; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading supplier in the aviation industry is looking for a Supply Chain professional to manage procurement and supplier relationships. The ideal candidate will have over 3 years of experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a degree-level education. The position is onsite at our Cambridge facility, ensuring optimal stock levels and maintaining supplier performance. This role offers a chance to contribute significantly to our supply chain operations in the UK.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in Procurement, preferably in engineering/manufacturing.
• Ability to summarise and communicate complex information effectively.
• Experience in Supplier Relationship Management.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of the purchasing function.
• Manage supplier relationships and negotiate pricing.
• Ensure stock levels are maintained accurately.

Skills

Strong negotiating skills

Proficient in MS Office Suite

High level of competency in using MS Excel

Strong stakeholder management

Problem-solving orientation

Education

Educated to degree level

CIPS qualified/part qualified or working towards

Tools

SAP or equivalent

Job description

Purpose and Scope

Reporting to a Supply Chain Manager, you will work onsite at our Cambridge facility, and will be responsible for managing, controlling goods/material supply controlling stock levels to ensure smooth operations. Additionally, you will develop relationships with suppliers; negotiate pricing, and commercial arrangements; track and expedite delivery from suppliers. Monitor supplier performance and report findings to management, providing action to rectify if necessary.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all aspects of the purchasing/buying function, including sourcing, negotiating, day to day buying activity, and managing supplier relationships within the defined area of responsibility (Category/Suppliers).
• Identify purchasing/buying strategies, ensuring lowest total cost to the business, whilst ensuring quality, reliability and resilience of supply, meeting the company s environmental, sustainability and governance requirements.
• Ensure stock levels are managed accurately, and all materials are available when required by the business.
• Stock holding in line with financial objectives.
• Collaborate cross functionally to support project requirements.
• Build and maintain a strong network of suppliers to secure best pricing and terms.
• Completing supplier reviews - monitoring and reporting on supplier delivery & quality performance.

Experience, Education, Skills and Competencies

Experience:

• Essential:
• 3+ years in Procurement.
• Experience in owning and managing Procurement and Supply Chain KPI s.
• Experience in the principles of materials and demand management and MRP systems (eg. SAP or equivalent).
• Ability to summarise and effectively communicate complex information.
• Excellent numerical skills and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated experience in negotiating pricing agreements and contracts.
• High degree of integrity as data confidentiality is paramount to this position.
• Experience in Supplier Order Book Management.
• Experience is Supplier Relationship Management, global is desirable.
• Project Management experience (Prince 2/Agile/MS Project or equivalent).
• Market research new sourcing options and technologies.

Knowledge of End-to-End supply chain activities.

• Ability to create, analyse and interpret complex data to generate clear proposals.
• Delivery of savings against budgeted spend.
• Reduction in total cost to the business.
• Measure performance against defined KPI s to measure and manage service delivery.
• Demonstrate supply chain Consolidation of suppliers across the group.
• Identification and assessment of new vendors
• Working proactively to resolve any supply issues with the overall objective of improving OTIF

Desirable

• Experience in a Purchasing or Buyer role within the engineering/manufacturing sector.
• Direct Category Experience.
• Ability to develop Terms and Conditions and negotiate confidently.
• Experience working in a time-critical manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Ability to read technical drawings.
• Experience in Supply Chain Risk Management.
• New Product Introduction (NPI) or Project Procurement experience.
• Experience in utilising Supplier portals for tendering, contracting and supplier management.

Education

• Educated to degree level although experience and / or vocational qualifications (CIPS) are also valued.
• Ideally CIPS qualified/part qualified or working towards.
• Ability to demonstrate continuous personal development.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong negotiating skills.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite.
• High level of competency in using MS Excel.
• Working knowledge SAP or equivalent (Purchasing and Material Management).
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship building skillset.
• Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Ability to develop and deliver reports and presentations internally and externally.
• Good time management with the ability to organise and prioritise work to meet deadlines.
• Articulate and confident in engaging a geographically dispersed team and in creating a shared vision.
• Ability to work flexibly in a complex business environment but to maintain clarity around objectives within specific category areas.
• Strong process and problem-solving orientation
• Personal Attribute
• Highly self-motivated and able to work on own initiative
• Must be a natural problem solver
• Aptitude for creative and innovative thinking
• Able to keep a cool head under pressure
• Methodical, organised and accurate with excellent attention to detail
• Tenacious
• Proactive team player