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- Tasks: Lead procurement activities and manage supplier relationships in a dynamic team environment.
- Company: Join MBDA, a leading defence organisation supporting the Armed Forces and promoting diversity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company bonus, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave.
- Why this job: Make a direct impact on business direction while developing your skills in a supportive culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement or supply chain, strong negotiation skills, and excellent communication abilities.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with relocation package options available.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 52000 £ per year.
Do you thrive on the opportunity of having a direct influence on the direction of the business within a procurement environment?
Salary : Circa £45,000 – £50,000 depending on experience
Location : Stevenage/ Bolton (We may be able to offer a relocation package for this role)
Dynamic (hybrid) working : 2 days per week on-site due to workload classification
Security Clearance : British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.
What we can offer you:
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Company bonus : Up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year)
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Pension : maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
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Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
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Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
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Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
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Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
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Facilities : Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…
The opportunity:
Do you thrive on the opportunity of having a direct influence on the direction of the business within a procurement environment?
The Industrial Policy, Supply Chain and Procurement (ISP) organisation is responsible for procuring and managing supply chain for direct and indirect products and services for both projects and the business, with a total spend of approximately €500M per year across UK, France and Italy.
As a Lead Buyer, you will be responsible for the procurement activities across a number of categories. This will mean being the focal point for multi-function teams, where you will work alongside the Category manager, Supply Chain Manager, Supplier Planners and other key stakeholders to drive procurement excellence and improvement.
Reporting to the Procurement Team Lead, you will be responsible for maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and internal project teams and functions, ensuring the best contractual terms achieved and that future relationships with the suppliers managed effectively.
This role will provide you with the opportunity to work in a varied and exciting role within a dynamic team environment, incorporating complex stakeholder management and strategic sourcing to secure a supply base for new and existing requirements.
Your Main Responsibilities as a Lead Buyer will include:
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Leading the contracting lifecycle across early development and production stages.
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Utilising demand data to implement formalised pricing and flexible trading agreements.
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Influencing and implementing MBDA Group Category strategy, working with Category Managers to pro-actively provide ideas and solutions.
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Leading / active participation, in multifunctional and international teams, to support definition and negotiation strategies for specific categories and/or projects.
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Identification and management of risk within the supply chain.
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Maintaining strong, effective relationships with suppliers that are capable long-term effectiveness and resolution of performance issues through improvement plans.
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Understanding budget requirements, identifying and implementing opportunities for cost reduction/avoidance through effective negotiation with the supplier to ensure the competitiveness of MBDA.
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Understanding and maintaining Key Performance Indicators for suppliers.
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Maintaining supplier open order books and supply contracts, ensuring data is maintained and topical in the SAP ERP system.
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Facilitating Design for Manufacture sessions with Engineering, Manufacturing and Suppliers.
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Supporting knowledge and best practice sharing across the community of Senior & Lead Buyers.
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Actively supporting functional excellence programmes, identifying and developing areas for improvement where new processes may be required.
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Providing and presenting briefs and reports for Senior Management reviews including potential risks/issues.
Whilst our environment is complex, challenging and varied from day to day, by joining our excellent team, you will surrounded by individuals that are dedicated to support one another and achieve common goals whilst sharing knowledge, experience, best practice and opinion.
What we\’re looking for from you:
You will have excellent knowledge of strategic and operational procurement processes, whilst being an excellent team player and capable of taking a lead in your category. You will have well developed communication, negotiation, analytical and interpersonal skills with a strong ability to influence at all levels with both your internal and external stakeholders. You will be passionate about developing strategy and driving improvements in order to meet the overall needs of the business.
Your skills and qualifications:
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Procurement and or Supply Chain experience, managing all activities within the scope of the role, with an in depth knowledge of principles, practices and processes
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Strong contracting experience and capability
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Strong commercial and financial understanding
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Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate to various levels of internal and external stakeholders.
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Excellent negotiation and influencing skills; able to secure the best commercial position for MBDA.
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High level of computer literacy and proficient in the use of Microsoft office tools for analysing and communicating purposes.
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Whilst not essential, CIPS level 4 (or working towards) or equivalent HNC/HND in Business Studies or equivalent qualification would be beneficial.
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Whilst not essential, understanding/experience of UK MoD Defence Conditions would be beneficial.
Our company: Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given
MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.
We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more…
We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.
Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.
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Lead Buyer employer: MBDA
Contact Detail:
MBDA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the procurement processes specific to the defence industry. Understanding the nuances of strategic sourcing and contracting in this sector will give you a significant edge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement field, especially those who have experience in defence. Engaging with industry groups or attending relevant events can help you gain insights and potentially get referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your negotiation strategies and past successes in detail. Be ready to provide examples of how you've influenced stakeholders and achieved cost reductions, as these are key aspects of the Lead Buyer role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research MBDA's current projects and initiatives. Being knowledgeable about their operations and challenges will allow you to tailor your discussions and demonstrate your genuine interest in contributing to their success.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant procurement and supply chain experience. Focus on your achievements in strategic sourcing, negotiation, and supplier relationship management, as these are key aspects of the Lead Buyer role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for procurement and how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Mention specific examples of how you've influenced business direction through procurement strategies.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your communication, negotiation, and analytical skills in both your CV and cover letter. These are crucial for influencing stakeholders and driving improvements within the procurement environment.
Showcase Continuous Learning: If you have any qualifications like CIPS level 4 or equivalent, be sure to mention them. Also, discuss any ongoing professional development related to procurement or supply chain management to demonstrate your commitment to the field.
How to prepare for a job interview at MBDA
✨Understand the Procurement Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the key principles and processes of procurement, especially in a defence context. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with the strategic and operational procurement needs of the company.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your negotiation successes. Discuss specific instances where you secured favourable terms or resolved conflicts with suppliers, demonstrating your ability to influence outcomes effectively.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
As a Lead Buyer, you'll work with various teams. Be ready to share experiences where you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams, showcasing your interpersonal skills and ability to drive collective goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Think about potential challenges in supply chain management and how you would address them, particularly in a complex environment like defence.
