Strategic Buyer

Safran S.A.; Cwmbran; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

33 days holiday including bank

Industry leading pension scheme

Private medical cover

Cycle to work

Life Assurance

Annual share save schemes

Job summary

Safran Seats in Cwmbran, South Wales, is seeking a Strategic Buyer to join the Commodity team. You will issue RFPs, evaluate supplier proposals and manage supplier data in the ERP to ensure on-time deliveries and compliant quality.

The role focuses on cost saving within the supply chain, developing supplier relationships, and leading industrialisation projects for new products, with travel within the UK and internationally.

Qualifications

• Proven purchasing or strategic sourcing experience within manufacturing.
• Experience managing supplier relationships, commercial negotiations, and sourcing activities.
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings and technical requirements.

Responsibilities

• Issue and monitor RFP/Qs to strategic suppliers using available engineering data.
• Review and select suppliers based on proposals/quotations received.
• Set up supplier data within the ERP system.
• Use MRP data to raise necessary POs and coordinate with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery.
• Develop partnerships with suppliers and manage supplier performance.
• Manage purchasing projects including industrialisation of new products (composites, metals, electrical).
• Engage within the Target Purchasing Strategy and ensure OTIF from supply base meets MRP requirements.
• Report and update KPIs in line with requirements.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Purchasing

Supplier relationship management

MRP/ERP systems

Cost reduction

Reading engineering drawings

Project management

Excel

Negotiation

Education

MCIPS qualification

Tools

ERP system (MRP)

MS Office

Job description

Published 08.26.2026 Company : Safran Seats Job field : Purchasing Location : Cwmbran , Wales , United Kingdom Contract type : Permanent Contract duration : Full-time Professional status : Professional, Engineer & ManagerPublished 08.26.2026Job DescriptionStrategic BuyerSafran SeatsCwmbran, South WalesAt Safran, excellence is a journey – and we'd love you to be a part of it. As a trusted global leader in aerospace, defence, and space, we are proud to be a company where diversity, innovation, and opportunity come together to shape a sustainable future where we can all succeed together through a shared vision.Are you interested in working at the business end of Aerospace, where airline brand meets innovative passenger experience?Then your next opportunity could be with Safran Seats, an industry award winning, premium designer and manufacturer of First and Business Class seating and technology.Our passenger experience prides itself on innovation, customization, quality and industrial designOne day you could be liaising with one of the world's largest airframers, and the next, some of the biggest airline brands around the world!In the UK, Safran Seats specialises solely in the First Class and Business Class seating markets for wide body aircraft, with industrial and engineering teams in Cwmbran and Newport, Wales and Brackley, England.Responsible for issuing Request for Proposals/Quotations (RFP/Q) to strategic suppliers within the Target Purchasing Strategy (TPS) using available engineering data for key events such as PDR, CDR, Test and initial shipsets.As a Strategic Buyer you will identify and implement cost saving opportunities within the Supply Chain to meet programme budgets. You will create and manage supplier Long Term Agreements (LTA), you will also be raising Purchase Orders (PO) against MRP demand for initial programme events such as CDR, Test, Shipset 1.This role is within the Commodity team which forms part of the wider Strategic Purchasing team based in Cwmbran of which there are thirty plus team members.Key responsibilities:• To issue and monitor RFP/Q's to strategic suppliers using available engineering data.• Review and selection of suppliers based on proposals/quotations received.• Setup supplier data within the business ERP system.• Using MRP data to raise necessary PO's and work with a predetermined number of suppliers to ensure that materials ordered are delivered on time in full, and to the correct quality standards.• To develop partnerships and relationships with suppliers.• To manage purchasing projects such as industrialisation of new products that include but are not limited to composite, metallic and electrical components.• To actively engage within the appropriate Target Purchasing Strategy.• Ensure OTIF from supply base meets the MRP requirements.• Ensure all KPI's are reported and updated in accordance with requirements.• To ensure Program/Business Sectors are supported and managed to effectively satisfy all requirements.Job RequirementsWhat You'll Bring:• Proven purchasing or strategic sourcing experience within a manufacturing environment• MCIPS qualified or working towards a professional purchasing qualification• Experience managing supplier relationships, commercial negotiations, and sourcing activities• Strong understanding of MRP/ERP systems and material planning processes• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings and technical requirements• Proven problem-solving skills with a proactive, solution-focused mindset• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships across all levels of the business and supply base• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet demanding deadlines• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook• Flexible, resilient, and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team• Willingness to travel within the UK and internationally as requiredBut what else? (advantages, specific features, etc.)Looking after the people who make Safran great is our priority. We offer a range of flexible benefits designed to support you, both in and out of work, including:• Competitive salary• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)• Industry leading pension scheme with salary sacrifice employer contributions up to 10%.• Private medical cover (to include Digital GP and rapid access Physio with no excess) with ability to upgrade level of benefit and cover family members.• Access to salary sacrifice benefits scheme including cycle to work• 4 x Life Assurance• Interactive benefits platform including wide range of discretionary benefits including technology, retail benefits, income protection.• Enhanced family friendly policies and benefits (enhanced maternity and paternity leave) and employee assistance programme• Annual share save schemes.• We support your ambitions with training, development, a personalised career plan and mobility opportunities. Benefit from support through Safran University and our internal Training and Development SchoolsCompany InformationSafran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's ""World's Best Companies 2025"" ranking.With more than one million seats installed across the fleets of the world's leading airlines, Safran Seats is one of the global leaders in passenger, crew, aircraft and helicopter seating, delivering innovative, high value-added solutions.Locate your future workplaceLlantarnam Industrial Park NP44 3HQCwmbranWales United Kingdom