Senior Buyer / Purchasing Manager

Red Sky Personnel Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing aviation company is seeking a Senior Buyer / Purchasing Manager to lead procurement and supplier management for aircraft components. The candidate will negotiate contracts, oversee sourcing activities, and ensure compliance with aviation regulations. This role offers a competitive salary and the opportunity to shape the supply-chain function within a dynamic environment. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in aviation procurement and strong analytical skills.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Opportunity to shape purchasing function

Training and development opportunities

Collaborative team environment

Qualifications

• Extensive procurement/sourcing experience within the aviation sector.
• Proven track record in supplier sourcing and contract negotiation.
• Strong understanding of aviation regulatory and quality requirements.
• Excellent communication skills for building supplier relationships.
• High level of analytical ability with data and reporting.
• Good organisation and prioritisation skills.
• Flexibility in work hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Ideally degree qualified or relevant equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Source and qualify new suppliers of aircraft components.
• Manage supplier evaluation, onboarding and performance reviews.
• Negotiate terms, contracts, pricing and service levels.
• Place orders, monitor status and resolve any delays.
• Work with teams to ensure timely delivery and cost-effective procurement.
• Prepare reports and dashboards on supplier performance.
• Develop purchasing policies and best practices.
• Support forecasting and inventory planning.
• Provide stand-by support for urgent procurement issues.
• Mentor junior team members in the purchasing function.

Skills

Supplier sourcing and management

Contract negotiation

Cost control

Supply-chain optimisation

Interpersonal skills

Analytical ability

Organisation skills

Flexibility

Education

Degree in business, engineering or supply chain discipline

Tools

MS Excel

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Senior Buyer / Purchasing Manager

Location : Oxford Airport

Hours : Full-time 08 : 00–16 : 30

Salary : £50,000–£60,000 per annum

Role Purpose

As the Senior Buyer / Purchasing Manager you will take ownership of the sourcing, negotiation, procurement and supply‑chain activities for aircraft components, spares and associated materials. You will build and manage supplier relationships (including new supplier onboarding), oversee order expediting and ensure that inventory and purchasing strategies align with operational readiness and cost control.

Key Responsibilities

• Source and qualify new suppliers of aircraft components, parts and materials (including OEMs, distributors and authorised channels)
• Manage supplier evaluation, onboarding and performance review processes
• Negotiate terms, contracts, pricing, lead‑times and service levels
• Place purchase orders, monitor status, expedite when required, resolve delays / issues
• Work closely with engineering, MRO / maintenance, operations and finance / inventory teams to ensure parts availability, timely delivery and cost‑effective procurement
• Prepare regular reports and dashboards (e.g., spend analysis, supplier performance, lead‑time tracking, savings achieved)
• Develop and maintain purchasing policies, procedures and best practice (ensuring compliance with aviation regulations, quality standards, traceability etc.)
• Support forecasting and inventory planning : ensuring minimum stock levels, review of slow‑moving items, and alignment with business demand
• Provide out‑of‑hours / stand‑by support on a rotating basis for urgent procurement issues
• Mentor and collaborate with junior team members in the purchasing function (if applicable)

Requirements & Experience

• Extensive procurement / sourcing experience within the aviation sector (aircraft components / spares)
• Proven track record in supplier sourcing and management, contract negotiation, cost control and supply‑chain optimisation
• Strong understanding of aviation regulatory / quality requirements (for example OEM requirements, traceability, part‑qualification, vendor non‑conformance)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (to build supplier relationships and collaborate across internal teams)
• High level of analytical ability and comfort with data and reporting (MS Excel, ERP / MRP systems)
• Good organisation and prioritisation skills — able to handle competing demands and urgent issues in a dynamic aviation environment
• Able to work flexibly (evenings / week‑end stand‑by when required)
• Ideally degree qualified or equivalent in business / engineering / supply chain discipline (or demonstrable equivalent experience)

What We Offer

• Competitive salary £50k-£60k
• Dynamic and growing aviation business with global reach
• Opportunity to shape and develop the purchasing / supply‑chain function
• Collaborative team environment with real impact
• Training / development opportunities