Senior Engineering Buyer

Lockheed Martin; Ampthill; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contracting company in Ampthill is seeking a Senior Engineering Buyer to manage procurement and supplier relationships. This role offers a hybrid working model, requiring onsite attendance on specific days. The successful candidate will bring a proven track record in complex procurement and excellent communication skills. You'll manage supplier performance to meet cost and quality expectations, within a dynamic team focused on defense projects. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits provided.

Benefits

Private Medical Insurance

Competitive Pension

Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• Experience within a high volume, fast production rate environment.
• Buying experience for complex drawn items.
• Able to complete tasks under minimal guidance.

Responsibilities

• Undertaking the procurement process including issuing RFQ’s and negotiations.
• Negotiating with suppliers to ensure best-value is achieved.
• Managing supplier performance to meet Technical, Schedule, Quality and Cost requirements.

Skills

Proven experience as a Senior Engineering Buyer or related role

Excellent communication skills

Ability to manage stakeholder expectations

High level of supplier engagement

Job description

Permanent

Senior Engineering Buyer

Purchasing/Procurement

Ampthill - Bedfordshire

About the Role

We're looking for a Senior Engineering Buyer to join our team based from our in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. This role benefits from our 4xFlex working pattern, offering a 4-day working week Monday - Thursday and hybrid working. Onsite working days are Monday and Tuesday, with Wednesday and Thursday typically worked from home. This role is part of the Lockheed Martin UK Supply Chain Organisation managing the total supply chain for goods and services to meet a variety of programme and business requirements. Focussing on managing supplier delivery, it primarily supports the development and production in Armoured Vehicles, Platform Integration, Special Projects and Weapons areas & domains to meet domestic and international programme and business needs. LMUK (Ampthill) has a worldwide supply base although predominantly in the UK, Europe, Middle East and the US. Success requires experience of working in a functional organisation and a blend of proven skills including relationship building and achievement of deliveries on time and in full, through the ability to successfully negotiate and manage procurements, ranging from simple to complex subcontracts. This will be coupled with effectively working within a multi-disciplinary product team including Engineering, Operations and Quality. The role focusses on supporting a variety of programmes and undertakes activity across multiple categories of goods and services including simple to complex build to print in commodity areas including PCB's, box-builds, cable harnesses, mechanical, COTs and MOTs.

Responsibilities may extend across the product life cycle and include:

• Undertaking the procurement process including issuing RFQ’s, Invitation to Tender, Terms and Conditions, negotiations, bid evaluations, and award of contract .
• Holding a procurement delegation and signing supplier agreements and purchase orders within this limit.
• Negotiating with suppliers to ensure best-value is achieved.
• Managing supplier performance to meet Technical, Schedule, Quality and Cost requirements.
• Developing and maintaining stakeholder relationships with key internal and external business contacts to achieve mutual benefit.
• Ensuring procurement activities are compliant with internal/legislative procedures, and that risks are identified and managed.
• Providing the key interface between internal customers and suppliers to ensure that communication is effectively managed, and issues and risks are fully understood and managed.
• Supporting internal and external reviews of supplier performance as required.
• Contributing to the continual improvement of the supply chain processes.

The successful candidate must achieve the appropriate level (SC) of security clearance. More details can be found.

Required skills, qualifications and experience

• Proven experience as a Senior Engineering Buyer or related role.
• Buying experience for complex drawn items (Mechanical Assemblies, PCB-A).
• Experience within a high volume, fast production rate environment.
• Excellent understanding of procurement best practice.
• Capable of managing complex schedule and cost challenges.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to effectively manage stakeholders’ expectations at a variety of levels.
• Able to complete tasks under minimal guidance / supervision
• High level of supplier engagement, delivering successful outcomes

Desired Skills

• Supply chain experience in the defence environment
• CIPS

Job Reference Number

17631BR

Salary Range

£46,500 - £57,500 + Comprehensive Benefits + Bonus

Employee Type

Full Time

Hours Per Week

37.5

Working Schedule

4xFlex

Country

United Kingdom (UK)

Clearance Required for Role

SC

Graduate, Intern or Apprentice Vacancy?

No

What we offer you

At Lockheed Martin our employees come first and therefore your physical, mental and financial wellbeing matters to us. On top of working in a highly supportive, friendly, respectful environment you can expect so much more. We are an employer in support of and offering Flexible working with the option to also work a 4 day week depending on business requirements, where you have the option of Fridays off. We offer Competitive salaries alongside a flexible holiday entitlement. We have a Wealth of benefits available to you that can be selected through our wellbeing tool upon commencement of employment. Just a few of our amazing benefits are shown below:

• Private Medical Insurance
• Competitive Pension
• Dental
• Critical Illness
• Life Assurance
• Travel Insurance
• Employee discounts for top high street shops
• Employee Assistance Program which includes free face to face counseling sessions, Legal advice, Financial advice, etc
• Internal training and development alongside our Education assistance programmes
• Reimbursement for a professional membership
• Competitive policies that support flexibility and family leave inclusive of enhanced maternity leave

Business Environment

Lockheed Martin (UK) Ampthill is a rapidly changing, dynamic part of the Lockheed Martin Corporation with both domestic and international customers. It consists of business areas focusing on Platform Integration, Ground Based Air Defence, Special Projects and Weapons, which provide a variety of products and services to the Ministry of Defence and other customers. We are looking for talented individuals to join the company, in return we offer an exciting and challenging career path and excellent work/life balance with a 4 day week (Mon-Thurs) and flexible working arrangements.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Lockheed Martin is committed to upholding principles of equal opportunity, fostering a work environment that is aligned with our core values of integrity, respect, and exceptional performance. We recognize the importance of leveraging the unique talents and experiences of all our employees to drive innovation, deliver superior solutions, and maximize value for our customers. Our focus is on identifying the most qualified candidate for each role, regardless of their background. If you are interested in a position, we invite you to share how your skills and perspectives could bolster our team and encourage you to apply, even if you feel your qualifications do not fully meet all the job criteria outlined in our advertisement. Furthermore, Lockheed Martin is dedicated to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive for all individuals. We are prepared to accommodate reasonable adjustments for applicants as needed. If you require assistance or adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact ...

Job Expires

19/01/2026

Senior Engineering Buyer | LM Careers