Buyer in Leigh

Eaton Wimborne is redefining what’s possible in aerospace and defence. With a 1,000-strong team and a legacy of engineering precision, we design and manufacture world-class air-to-air refuelling systems and actuation solutions that support some of the most critical missions on the planet. This is a high-tech centre of excellence harnessing AI, machine learning, integrated testing, and next-generation systems to create equipment trusted by governments and defence forces worldwide.

As a defence site, we operate under ITAR regulations and all applicants must be eligible for UK Security Clearance. If you thrive in fast-moving environments, love solving problems before they become problems, and enjoy building strong relationships with suppliers, this role puts you right at the heart of our operation.

As a Buyer, you’ll play a key role in ensuring our production lines run smoothly by securing the materials, components, and services that keep our business moving. You’ll own your supplier portfolio, drive performance, and influence outcomes across the organisation. This is a role for someone who enjoys autonomy, accountability, and the satisfaction of seeing their decisions directly impact delivery, quality, and cost.

What you’ll do:

• You’ll be the go-to expert for your assigned vendors, responsible for the full procurement lifecycle.
• Vendor performance ownership: You’ll manage and develop your supplier base, ensuring they consistently deliver on time, to spec, and to cost.
• MRP/ERP execution: You’ll process MRP demand, issue purchase orders, manage acknowledgements, and keep the system accurate and up to date.
• Schedule and demand management: You’ll action exception messages, adjust schedules, and ensure supply aligns with production needs.
• Open order book management: You’ll track, review, and maintain accurate supply dates to protect production continuity.
• Change management: You’ll communicate and implement changes to requirements, pricing, and schedules.
• Issue resolution: From FAIR and NCR issues to technical or commercial challenges, you’ll drive problems to closure.
• Supplier communication: You’ll negotiate delivery, pricing, and priorities to keep supply on track.
• Master data ownership: You’ll ensure part records are accurate and compliant.
• Performance monitoring: You’ll track OTD, quality, and cost performance, and report on supplier KPIs.
• Non-conformance management: You’ll coordinate returns and replenishment to minimise production impact.
• Compliance: You’ll operate in line with FAR/DFAR, ITAR/EAR, and company policies.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Experience in a supply chain environment, ideally as a Buyer in mechanical, electrical, or aerospace sectors.
• A degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain, or equivalent industry experience.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Solid supplier relationship management experience.
• Technical understanding of the commodities you’ll manage.
• Ability to work under tight financial and time constraints.
• Professional certifications like CIPS, CPM, or CPIM are a plus.

Core competencies:

• A confident user of MRP/ERP systems.
• Tenacious, proactive, and unafraid to hold suppliers or internal teams accountable.
• Someone who takes ownership and drives results.
• Skilled at knowing when to escalate and when to solve independently.
• Analytical, detail-driven, and able to handle complex information.
• Professional, trustworthy, and aligned with strong CSR values.
• Calm and consistent in challenging situations.
• A self-starter who pushes issues through to resolution.

Key measures and milestones: SOTIF / OTD, PPV, SDPPM

What We Offer:

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Challenging projects in a dynamic collaborative team.
• We make your aspirations matter.
• Eaton encourages internal promotion, whenever possible.
• We make your growth matter - We invest in our employees for the long term not just with salary and benefits, but with ongoing learning and development opportunities made available through Eaton University.
• We make your contributions matter - reliability, safety, efficiency, and sustainability are at the core of our dedication to improving people’s lives and the environment through power management technologies.

The successful applicant will be in contact with US ITAR controlled technology, goods and information. As a condition of employment, employees with access to US ITAR controlled technology and goods may be required to undergo an additional screening process as part of the recruitment process.

We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for job applicants and employees. Our recruitment processes use balanced selection criteria and avoid unlawful discrimination against applicants on the basis of their age, colour, disability, marital status, national origin, gender, gender identity, genetic information, race or racial origin, religion, sexual orientation or any other status protected or required by law.