Global Commodity Senior Buyer

Job Summary

It’s great to know you’re making a difference to the future of aviation! Whatever part you play you’ll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers.

GKN Aerospace spends >£2bn p.a. with more than 11,000 suppliers. We build and deploy structured, collaborative relationships with our key suppliers. Suppliers to GKN should actively compete for our business and work hard to retain it by achieving continually high levels of delivery & quality performance whilst incrementally delivering value (reducing total cost or supporting revenue growth).

Our procurement function operates in a matrix between Site based procurement operations and Global Commodity Management functions.

Reporting to the Global Commodity Manager the Commodity Buyer will have accountability for category strategy execution across 5 sub-categories. Objectives for this role will include:

• Establishing Programme and Site requirements, including those driven by current and planned future business.
• Supporting business growth to design and engage supply chains that meet the business requirements.
• Delivering tangible, bottom-line benefits resulting from pan-Business Line category management of Spend.
• Supporting the delivery of Business Line and Site strategies through the rigorous management of contract and supplier performance.

The Commodity Buyer will have responsibility for >£100m expenditure within the Machining, Fabrications and Special Processes category.

• Manages category strategies that maximise value for the business based on understanding of business needs and supply market.
• Builds deep knowledge of the supply market within the business.
• Execution of the strategy, including negotiating and contracting with suppliers, evaluating on‑going contract and supplier performance and measuring contract compliance.
• Analysis of expenditure (cost and price) and the supply market to inform the development of the category strategy.

• Captures specific business requirements and builds into RFx documents.
• Executes pan site sourcing activity using strategic sourcing methodologies in order to put fit‑for‑purpose supply contracts in place.
• Accountable for the implementation of pan‑Business Line contracts so that they can be used in practice by the sites.
• Where appropriate supports bid activity where there is a significant category requirement.

• Segmenting and managing suppliers within the category.
• Developing the appropriate strategies to incentivise and engage suppliers and to measure and incentivise their performance.
• Establishing appropriate supplier governance, fed by relevant data and attended by empowered representatives of both organisations.

• Experienced procurement practitioner with deep knowledge of current strategic procurement techniques and (c. 5 Years in Sourcing & Procurement).
• Knowledge of relevant categories.
• Proven track record of identifying and delivering procurement savings against multi‑million pound expenditures.
• High quality communication ability, both written and orally.
• Highly commercial, with a proven ability to use procurement to unlock value for the business.
• Delivery focused with a pragmatic, hands‑on approach that enables strategies to be fully executed.

• Relevant business experience in the commercial aerospace sector, knowledge of the customer programmes of GKN Aerospace.
• Relevant professional and academic qualifications are highly valued. For example CIPS, degrees in relevant subject matter.

• Competitive salary dependent on experience.
• Annual bonus of up to 15%.
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme – we'll pay 1.5x your contribution (max 12%).
• Life Assurance 8 x salary.
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
• Flexible working hours.
• Income protection.
• Shopping discounts.
• Cycle To Work Scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family.
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment.

As well as a competitive package we’ll offer you a world of opportunity. We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities.