At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive supplier relationships and lead complex negotiations for aerospace projects.
- Company: Evolito, a pioneering company in electric propulsion for aerospace.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, growth opportunities, and a chance to impact clean air transportation.
- Other info: Be part of a rapidly scaling team with ambitious growth plans.
- Why this job: Join a mission to revolutionise personal mobility and support a net-zero world.
- Qualifications: CIPS Level 5 or equivalent, with experience in regulated environments.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Evolito’s mission is to accelerate the adoption of electric propulsion in aerospace applications in support of a net‑zero world. We will help revolutionise personal mobility and transform our towns and cities with clean, noise‑free air transportation. Evolito develops and manufactures class‑leading, lightweight, high‑power, and high‑torque‑density electric propulsion systems for a range of aerospace markets, including EVTOL, unmanned aerial vehicles and general aviation. As well as ultra‑high performance, low‑weight electric motors and controllers, Evolito specialises in high‑integrity, bespoke battery systems for the aerospace and defence markets. The team is scaling rapidly and has ambitious growth plans over the next twelve to eighteen months. As we continue to scale, we are strengthening our supply chain capability with a Senior Buyer who excels in supplier relationship development, commercial negotiation and risk‑based procurement to support Engineering and our aerospace certification testing roadmap.
Reporting to our Head of Supply Chain, you will play a critical role supporting technologies at TRL 4+ through to industrialisation, driving supplier engagement and commercial strategy for components, engineering services, certification critical activities and industrial readiness.
Key Responsibilities- Strategic Supplier Relationship Management
- Build strong, trust‑based relationships with suppliers supporting Engineering, Testing and industrialisation activity.
- Engage suppliers suitability across TRL 4+, prototype development, certification testing and pre‑production phases.
- Develop supplier relationship and contract management plans, including KPIs, structured reviews and improvement actions.
- Monitor supplier capability, capacity, operational risk and suitability for certification and industrialisation requirements.
- Commercial Negotiation & Contract Leadership
- Lead and deliver on complex commercial negotiations for engineering services, prototypes, certification test services and strategic components.
- Develop, negotiate and manage service contracts and supply agreements that consider certification milestones, technical scope, data/IP, compliance and delivery risk.
- Drive strong commercial positions using understanding of cost drivers, market conditions and supplier capability.
- Ensure contractual commitments reflect aerospace quality, traceability, safety and regulatory expectations.
- Strategic Procurement Decisions
- Analyse insourcing and outsourcing options analysis in line with business plans, core competencies, requirements and capacity.
- Lead sourcing decisions that assess capability, cost, schedule, certification risk and industrial scalability.
- Prepare and present business cases for complex or high‑risk procurement activity.
- Maintain and contribute to supplier and supply chain risk registers, leading targeted mitigation plans.
- Embed risk‑based decision making across all procurement strategies, especially for certification critical and industrialisation critical suppliers.
- Supplier Project Management & Engineering Support
- Lead sourcing and supplier onboarding for engineering design, validation, testing and certification work packages.
- Support supplier delivery across prototype, certification test phases and industrial readiness.
- Manage end‑to‑end procurement for engineering, testing and aerospace critical commodities.
- Collaborate with Engineering, Test, Quality, Compliance and Programme teams to ensure supplier deliverables meet technical and certification objectives.
- CIPS Level 5 or equivalent; MCIPS preferred.
- Experience supporting engineering teams through TRL 4+ development cycles towards industrialisation.
- Demonstrated experience managing suppliers within highly regulated environments.
- Proven ability to lead complex negotiations that deliver significant benefits.
- Ability to draft and implement robust, risk‑balanced commercial agreements.
- Ability to assess procurement risks and make informed decisions aligned to engineering and certification needs.
- Ability to translate detailed technical requirements and statements of work into strong commercial and contractual positions.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills.
- Strong analytical capability, including cost driver analysis to support negotiation strategies.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Experience using ERP systems.
- Knowledge of AS9100 or ISO9001 environments.
Senior Buyer employer: Evolito Limited
Evolito is an exceptional employer dedicated to pioneering electric propulsion technologies for a sustainable future in aerospace. With a strong focus on employee growth, we foster a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and strategic thinking, providing opportunities for professional development in a rapidly scaling environment. Located at the forefront of the aerospace industry, our team enjoys the unique advantage of contributing to groundbreaking projects while working alongside passionate professionals committed to making a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Evolito Limited for a Senior Buyer. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Evolito Limited, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Evolito Limited, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Evolito Limited
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Evolito Limited.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Evolito Limited. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Evolito Limited love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
