Commodity Buyer

Safran Landing Systems; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran Landing Systems in Gloucester seeks an experienced Purchasing professional to structure and manage a panel of machinist suppliers, from RFQ through contract lifecycles. You will drive cost reductions and align with Quality, Production, and Program teams to optimize supplier performance.

The role requires strong negotiation, procurement leadership, and extensive knowledge of contracts, MRP, and office tools, with European travel as needed. This position is based on-site in the UK.

Qualifications

• A relevant University Degree and/or APICS, CPIM or CIRM/PMAC Certification.
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment, international aerospace experience preferred or in mechanical industrial engineering.
• Significant Purchasing experience.
• Experience in leading Projects within multi-functional teams.
• Familiarity with Contracts, contract language and the ability to negotiate various types of contracts with suppliers.
• Purchasing process leadership skills.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written skills and the ability to communicate effectively in a team environment and represent the Purchasing function towards the Supplier.
• High working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with accounting and financial principles.
• Production control process knowledge, MRP and Flow Management.
• Ability to travel on short or long term within Europe, as per project needs.
• Good knowledge of MRP system

Responsibilities

• Manage a dedicated portfolio of machinists suppliers located predominantly within the UK.
• Manage the relationship from the sourcing (RFQ) up to the contract management during the life of the Contract.
• Accountable for the relationship with each supplier of the allocated panel.
• Accountable for the cost reduction plan with the supplier panel assigned.
• Contribute to set-up, then formalize and execute the strategy for the Machined-Parts Commodity.
• Creation and management of RFQ process through the Supplier Selection and establishment of Safran Landing Systems contractual conditions with Suppliers.
• Manage contracts in place with Suppliers assigned and anticipate renewals of contract, through J1 and Supplier Selection Committees.
• Actively work to increase the maturity level of the supplier panel to the required level.
• Actively monitoring the performance of the supplier, and engage actions in collaboration with the Supplier Performance & Quality Lead.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities, manage the cost reduction plan, and report figures in the design KPI tool (SIEVO).
• Interface with other functions on all sites (Procurement, Production, Program, Quality, Industrialization) and act as a Purchasing focal point for the supplier panel allocated.
• Resolve daily (tactical) issues related with suppliers, such as claims & litigations.

Skills

Strong negotiation skills

Verbal and written communications

Microsoft Office proficiency

Project leadership

Communication in team environment

Education

University degree

APICS CPIM CIRM PMAC certification

Tools

SAP environment

Job description

Safran Landing Systems is the world leader in aircraft landing and braking systems and is at the forefront of contributing to safer, more sustainable aviation for current and future generations. We design, test, manufacture and assemble landing gear used on commercial aircraft including Airbus and Boeing, and UK military aircraft such as the Eurofighter Typhoon. Gloucester is home to the UK division and has been a leader of cutting edge landing gear technology for over 90 years, since the innovative designs of Sir George Dowty. YOU can be a part of our legacy.

Within the Landing Gears Integration Department, reporting to the Division's Commodity Manager – Machined Parts, you will structure, develop and manage the relationship with a group of suppliers specialized in machined parts by exercising the following responsibilities :

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a dedicated portfolio of machinists suppliers located predominantly within the UK
• Manage the relationship from the sourcing (RFQ) up to the contract management during the life of the Contract
• Accountable for the relationship with each supplier of the allocated panel
• Accountable for the cost reduction plan with the supplier panel assigned
• Contribute to set-up, then formalize and execute the strategy for the Machined-Parts Commodity
• Creation and management of RFQ process through the Supplier Selection and establishment of Safran Landing Systems contractual conditions with Suppliers
• Manage contracts in place with Suppliers assigned and anticipate renewals of contract, through J1 and Supplier Selection Committees
• Actively work to increase the maturity level of the supplier panel to the required level.
• Actively monitoring the performance of the supplier, and engage actions in collaboration with the Supplier Performance & Quality Lead
• Identify cost reduction opportunities, manage the cost reduction plan, and report figures in the design KPI tool (SIEVO)
• Interface with other functions on all sites (Procurement, Production, Program, Quality, Industrialization) and act as a Purchasing focal point for the supplier panel allocated
• Resolve daily (tactical) issues related with suppliers, such as claims & litigations.

Mandatory (essential):

• A relevant University Degree and/or APICS, CPIM or CIRM/PMAC Certification.
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment, international experience in Aerospace preferred or in Mechanical Industrial Engineering;
• Significant Purchasing experience
• Experience in leading Projects within multi-functional teams.
• Familiarity with Contracts, contract language and the ability to negotiate various types of contracts with suppliers
• Purchasing process leadership skills
• Strong negotiation skills
• Excellent verbal and written skills and the ability to communicate effectively in a team environment and represent the Purchasing function towards the Supplier
• High working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Experience with accounting and financial principles
• Production control process knowledge, MRP and Flow Management.
• Ability to travel on short or long term within Europe, as per project needs
• Good knowledge of MRP system

Good to have (desirable):

• Good knowledge of SAP environment