Contracts Officer

GKN; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A major aerospace company is seeking a Contracts Officer at their Luton manufacturing plant to support Defence Contracts. This key role involves managing contractual obligations, supporting project bids, and maintaining accurate order records. The ideal candidate will have experience in the aerospace or defence sectors, strong business acumen, and excellent communication skills. This position allows for remote work options and occasional UK travel. A competitive salary and benefits package is offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary dependent on experience

Industry-leading pension scheme

185 hours holiday plus bank holidays

Shopping discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Free onsite parking

Local gym discount

Enhanced family-friendly leave

Qualifications

• Proven experience working in the Aerospace or Defence sector.
• Strong commercial acumen and awareness.
• Experience in multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Interface and highlight contractual obligations to the IPT and customers.
• Support new bidding activity and compile proposals.
• Maintain the company's order book as per purchase orders.

Skills

Experience of working within the Aerospace or Defence industry

Experience within a Commercial or Procurement function

High attention to detail

Good written and verbal communication skills

Education

BSc Degree or Diploma in Business, Finance or Procurement

Tools

SAP software

MS Office Suite (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel)

Job description

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity set the standards in our industry, we are inspired by opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies and are committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries, we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

Based at our Luton manufacturing plant, the Contracts Officer will play a key role in supporting the Integrated Project Team (IPT) for Defence Contracts, specifically focused on fighter aircraft canopy programmes. This position sits within a Commercial team of three working alongside the Commercial Support Officer and reports directly to the Commercial Manager. As Contracts Officer you will oversee the account, provide contractual expertise and support, and be the first point of contact and escalation for purchase orders or contractual issues internally and from customers. You will ensure the management and resolution of commercial issues on a day‑to‑day basis such as commercial change management, support for local level bids and proposals.

There is an opportunity to work from home up to two days per week, dependent on business needs following a training period. The role involves occasional UK travel (approximately once per quarter to visit customers based on the Isle of Wight).

Job Responsibilities

• Interface and highlight contractual obligations and limits to the IPT and customers.
• Support new bidding activity, including compiling a business model and commercial proposal.
• Manage/maintain the company order book to reflect customers’ purchase order requirements.
• Ensure that commercial/contractual correspondence files are maintained.
• Maintain key performance metrics and contribute to internal reporting requirements.
• Support change negotiations with customers.
• Maintain overdue debt to a minimum and ensure customers pay in accordance with agreed payment terms.
• Support Project/Programme review structure, reports, data, etc.
• Review customer Material Requirements Planning (MRP) and conclude on demand changes, check against contractual conditions and update demand as part of MPS.
• Manage opportunities to improve the business case.
• Adhere to all Programme Management and Commercial standards and policies in accordance with the GKN Aerospace Programme Management framework and contribute to process development.

How You’ll Contribute

To help us make a difference you’ll bring your passion and talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:

Essential

• Experience of working within the Aerospace or Defence industry
• Experience within a Commercial or Procurement function
• Experience of working within multi‑disciplinary teams
• Ability to demonstrate business acumen and commercial awareness
• Experience of working with high attention to detail
• Numeracy reasoning skills and ability to work to profit
• Good written and verbal communication skills, effective at all levels
• Intermediate competency with MS Office Suite (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel)

Desirable

• Worked with or for Original Equipment Manufacturers
• A BSc Degree or Diploma in a relevant subject such as Business, Finance or Procurement
• Contracting knowledge and/or accreditation such as IACCM, WCC, CIPS
• Experience of SAP software

We are looking for people who want to make a difference. The Contracts Officer will be a confident, self‑motivated and customer‑focused team player with excellent organisational, multi‑tasking, problem‑solving and communication skills, great attention to detail and an enjoyment of working to time constraints.

Note: Some GKN programmes are subject to regulatory restrictions which may impact certain nationalities. As part of the application process you will be asked to declare when applying for this role.

The position may require UK National Security Vetting (UKNSV) Security clearance (SC) due to the nature and responsibilities of the work carried out. To obtain an SC you usually need to have been resident in the UK for a minimum of 5 years to the current date (but we do assess each case individually).

What Well Offer

Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:

• Competitive salary dependent on experience
• Industry‑leading pension scheme: well match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• Life assurance 8 × salary
• 185 hours holiday, bank holidays
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
• Free onsite parking
• Local gym discount
• 50% off local travel card
• Free airport Dart
• Free airport parking
• Discount with local nursery and preschool childcare setting
• Enhanced family‑friendly leave

A collaborative dynamic working environment

As well as a competitive package we offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! We support your career progression by providing learning and development opportunities. That’s the beauty of being part of a global business; once you’re on board you never know where your career journey may take you!

Join us and keep the world moving.