Senior Category Manager: Mechanical, Precision & Composites

Cambridge Aerospace; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Private Medical & Dental

Cycle to work scheme

Lunchtime catering on site

Job summary

Cambridge Aerospace is seeking a Category Manager - Mechanical, Precision Manufacturing & Composites to lead strategic sourcing across precision machining, fabrications, composites, tooling and related processes. You will coach Senior Buyers, collaborate with Design, Manufacturing and Quality Engineers, and build a resilient supply base for development and production programmes.

You will assess supplier capability, negotiate terms, drive cost reduction and support design-for-manufacture

Qualifications

• Substantial relevant experience, typically 8+ years, in procurement, category management or supplier management within precision engineering, aerospace, defence, automotive, motorsport or another technically demanding manufacturing environment.
• Deep practical knowledge of precision machining and mechanical manufacturing processes, with experience sourcing complex components and assemblies.
• Strong understanding of composite manufacturing processes and supply chains, including tooling, materials, manufacture, inspection and production constraints.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies for precision machining, fabricated and formed parts, composite components, tooling, specialist materials, treatments, coatings and related manufacturing processes.
• Lead market engagement, supplier identification, RFQs, competitive tenders, negotiation and contract or purchase-order placement for complex requirements.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, tooling and NRE, minimum order quantities, capacity commitments, intellectual property and longer-term supply agreements.
• Work with Engineering and suppliers on design-for-manufacture, value engineering and cost reduction while preserving Engineering ownership of technical approval.

Skills

Strategic category leadership

Supplier management

Reading engineering drawings

Commercial negotiation

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

Job description

Cambridge Aerospace is seeking a Category Manager - Mechanical, Precision Manufacturing & Composites to lead strategic sourcing across precision machining, fabrications, composites, tooling and related processes. You will coach Senior Buyers, collaborate with Design, Manufacturing and Quality Engineers, and build a resilient supply base for development and production programmes.

You will assess supplier capability, negotiate terms, drive cost reduction and support design-for-manufacture