Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

“Together We Rise” 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. Based at our Luton manufacturing plant you’ll do just that. Established in 1993, GKN Aerospace in Luton is a world leader in commercial and military ice protection systems and transparencies. Offering a full range of capabilities; design, analysis, testing, certification and manufacture of electro-thermal ice protection, military fast jet canopies and flight deck windows to over 20 programmes including: Boeing 787, Dreamliner, Airbus A320, AgustaWestland, AW101, Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed, Martin F-22 Raptor. Our customers include Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopters, Textron, BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Leonardo. Our Luton site is home to 370+ employees and onsite facilities including onsite parking, food hub and vending machines. The Buyer will be based at our Luton manufacturing site supporting our Defence and Civil business lines whilst reporting to the Procurement Team Leader and the incumbent will need to flexible for monthly national/international travel (within Europe) for supplier visits. The Buyer will be accountable for sourcing for an allocated operational business area and will be responsible for in-contract modifications and minor transfers or new products ensuring that products are sourced at competitive prices in line with aerospace commodity strategy. The role will also include management of supplier delivery for parts sourced as modifications, transfers or new products until First Article Inspection (FAI) is achieved.

This is a full-time position and core operational hours at our Luton site are: 07:30 - 16:30 Monday to Thursday & 07:30 - 12:30 Friday.

Job Responsibilities

• Report procurement activity and site reviews • Ensure business area interface between programme and commodity management for new sourcing and change programmes in line with the group commodity strategy • Support commodity managers for the operational business supplier selection Request for Quotation and Request for Proposal with the use of E-Sourcing tools • Support and ensure parts and supplier transfers and industrialisation (major and minor transfers) through to FAI • Drive implementation of global and regional agreements within commodities • Ensure the transfer of parts from PO to schedule including the negotiation of moving from schedule to consignment etc. • Confirm all PO demands placed upon suppliers to ensure that key objectives of cost, quality and delivery are secured • Manage site procurement change control, export control and ITAR • Ensure the delivery, maintenance and integrity of site BOM • Ensure item and contract data is updated and maintained • Confirm the flow down of enabled customer materials, pricing and skyline forecasts to suppliers • Develop and support site cost reduction opportunities and supplier development plans in-line with business requirements • Ensure supplier risk including use of rate readiness templates and awareness of Dunn & Bradstreet for financials • Manage Raw Material Inventory levels for Purchase Order parts in line with programme targets and start dates • Resolve invoice queries related to pricing • Escalation point for any cost and contractual issues with suppliers working with Senior Buyers and commodity management where further escalation is required

How You'll Contribute

To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes: Essential: • Significant purchasing experience OR Level 3 CIPS qualification (or working towards) • Experience of working with ERP systems • Experience of building relationships with suppliers • Experience of working to supplier's processes • Experience of working with cross-functional teams • Experience of delivering on agreed KPI's

Desirable: • A relevant BSc Degree (or equivalent) in a Business, Engineering or Scientific discipline • MCIPS qualification • Contract negotiation experience • Purchasing experience gained from a manufacturing environment • Experience of setting KPI's • Experience of leading projects including continuous improvement and tender management

We are looking for people who want to make a difference, talented members with the skills and passions to become the best of the future in what they do. The Buyer will be a proactive, adaptable, confident and an assertive team player with excellent communication and time management skills.

What We'll Offer

Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits: • Competitive salary dependent on experience • Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis • Life Assurance 8 x salary • 185 hours holiday + bank holidays • Income protection • Shopping discounts • Cycle To Work Scheme • Employee Assistance Programme • Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family • Free onsite parking • Local gym discount • 50% off local travel card • Free airport Dart • Free airport parking • Enhanced family friendly leave • A collaborative, dynamic working environment

Join us and keep the world moving … click on the link below to apply

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We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology. ​

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