At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage the return process for defective materials and support team training.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team driving innovation and enhancing global safety.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a dynamic environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in supply chain management and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 51500 £ per year.
Salary: 45,000 - 51,500
Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.
Your Impact
The Radar and Advanced Targeting line of business, based in Edinburgh, is uniquely positioned as one of the world's top manufacturers of radars, lasers and infra-red countermeasure systems. An exciting and challenging opportunity has arisen to join our Edinburgh Operations function as a Senior Supply Chain Buyer in our Return to Vendor (RTV) line of business. The successful candidate will report to the RTV Team Leader.
The Return to Vendor (RTV) Senior Buyer is responsible for managing and executing the end-to-end return process for defective, non-conforming, or repair materials within the SAP S/4HANA system. This role also ensures that the RTV Buyers in the team get hands-on training and support where appropriate. The role ensures timely and accurate processing of vendor returns, including creation of return purchase orders, coordination of logistics, and resolution of supplier issues, while maintaining maximum data integrity and compliance within the functions reporting and processes.
The Senior RTV Buyer manages critical suppliers with large dependencies on Engineering to support the resolution of the constraint. The Senior RTV Buyer collaborates closely with procurement material leads (conduit into the business project teams) to communicate supply dependencies, recover costs, and the latest supply plan from the supplier. The Senior RTV buyer shall maintain effective supplier relationships and champion all escalations. Leveraging SAP S/4HANA functionality, the role drives efficient transaction processing, accurate documentation, and reporting to support continuous improvement in RTV supply performance.
What you’ll bring
- Responsible for ensuring 100% accuracy in the RTV supply plan for their supplier portfolio.
- Responsible for driving resolution of all Supplier dependencies that are constraining the RTV supply plan through effective engagement with Material Lead as conduit into IPT’s.
- Supports the development of the team through on-the-job training or mentoring.
- Ensures all RTV/Repair Purchase orders list exact fault information that allows the Supplier to fully understand the requirement prior to releasing the purchase order.
- Ensure weekly communication with Suppliers.
- Arrange and deliver supplier visits where necessary.
- Cover for the Team Leader when necessary.
- Ensure any Supplier generated Problems Reports / Concessions are inputted into SAP (where appropriate) and communicated to the Material Lead.
- Clearance of any invoice queries relating to your order book.
- Escalate supply constraints and risks appropriately.
- Fully support weekly sector RTV call and maintain actions via team planner.
- Provide input and attend monthly RTV Performance Review meetings (RPRs).
Key Performance Indicators:
- Promise Date accuracy in the 100-day window 100%.
- Weekly updates (from supplier feedback) on all Purchase order promise dates.
- Supplier dependencies fully understood and actions appropriately.
- Demonstrated Performance Pack KPIs ownership within portfolio of suppliers.
- Adherence to Process set contained within BMS.
- Adherence to Leonardo behaviours.
- Adherence to all Legal and Company SHE standards and procedures.
- Provides effective team training.
- Provides and delivers action plans coming from supplier visits.
Security Clearance
This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).
For more information and guidance please visit:
Why join us
At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.
- Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
- Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
- Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity.
- Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
- Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
- Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
- Tailored Perks: Spend up to 500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
- Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options.
For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.
Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.
At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.
Be part of something bigger - apply now!
Primary Location: GB - Edinburgh
Contract Type: Permanent
Hybrid Working: Hybrid
Job Summary
Job number: R0030789
Date posted: 2026-07-28
Profession: Contracts Management
Employment type: Full time
Senior Buyer in Edinburgh employer: Leonardo DRS
Leonardo DRS is an excellent employer for students seeking practical experience in a supportive and dynamic environment. Located in Bedford, the company fosters a collaborative work culture that encourages personal growth and skill development, making it an ideal place for young individuals to kickstart their careers in inventory management and logistics. With hands-on training and mentorship opportunities, students can gain valuable insights while contributing to meaningful projects over their temporary tenure.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer in Edinburgh
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Leonardo DRS.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Leonardo DRS:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Leonardo DRS. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Leonardo DRS.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo DRS
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Leonardo DRS!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Leonardo DRS. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Leonardo DRS's culture.
