Buyer in Coventry

Core Hours: 08:00-16:35 (Mon – Thu) 08:00-15:10 (Fri)

Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full-time and based onsite with potential hybrid working

Salary: £35,000-£40,000 (subject to experience) per annum + Discretionary Bonus

JOB SUMMARY

As a Buyer at NP Aerospace, you will play a key role in keeping our Production and Aftermarket activity moving by securing low volume, time critical engineered components and ensuring suppliers deliver to plan. This role is ideally suited to a procurement professional with experience buying fabrications, electrical harnessing and general engineered components, sourced to detailed technical drawings, OEM requirements and off the shelf specifications. Working within the Procurement Team, you will maintain a capable supply base, place and expedite purchase orders, and keep MRP planning parameters such as lead times and minimum order quantities accurate within QAD. You will also drive supplier performance and cost improvement activity, ensure terms and conditions are flowed down and adhered to, and provide clear reporting on open order status and delivery KPIs to support daily operational priorities.

WHAT YOU WILL GET IN RETURN

• Performance rewards – discretionary bonus opportunities
• Flex your day – flexible start and finish times (subject to manager approval and operational needs)
• Time to recharge – 25 days’ holiday + 8 bank holidays, with the option to buy more through our Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Support for Defence – two weeks’ paid leave for Reservists and Cadets, plus paid leave for Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs)
• Future security – competitive pension scheme (9% combined employer/employee contributions)
• Peace of mind – life cover at 3x base salary
• Health & wellbeing first – BHSF Cash Healthcare Plan to support everyday health costs
• Grow with us – career development and advancement opportunities within a global business
• Supportive environment – a team culture built on innovation, collaboration, and purpose

MAIN DUTIES

• Partner with Aftermarket, Project Buyers and Production to align supplier lead times and delivery schedules with project and business requirements, protecting build and dispatch priorities.
• Take clear ownership of an assigned supplier portfolio, driving performance and accountability, and working with internal teams to resolve delivery, quality and invoice queries while embedding continuous improvement.
• Manage material planning activity using QAD and supporting offline tools to monitor inventory, demand and forecasts, maintaining optimal stock levels and minimising disruption.
• Maintain strong governance across the supply base, ensuring suppliers remain on the approved supplier list and that agreed pricing, terms and conditions are in place, flowed down and adhered to.
• Maintain an accurate supplier quotation database to support fast purchasing decisions, traceability and audit readiness.
• Drive effective and consistent use of QAD in all aspects of the role, keeping supplier data and planning parameters such as lead times and MOQs current and accurate.
• Support live projects by attending production planning reviews and daily stand-up meetings, providing clear updates on order status, risks, and recovery actions.
• Ensure compliance with export controls, security, regulatory and internal governance requirements throughout the bid process.

The above statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required. Our team embraces modern technologies, including AI-assisted tools, to work smarter and deliver better results. Candidates should either have experience using AI tools or demonstrate a willingness to learn and apply them in their role.

EXPERIENCE

• Previous experience as a Buyer within a manufacturing or production environment, supporting both Production and Aftermarket requirements.
• Proven ability to manage and develop supplier relationships across a varied supplier portfolio, driving delivery performance and service improvement.
• Strong commercial awareness with the confidence to negotiate and manage suppliers, while working effectively with internal stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience of using AI tools or demonstrates a willingness to learn and apply AI in role.
• Experience working in an ITAR controlled or foreign controls environment.

WHAT DO WE DO AT NP AEROSPACE?

NP Aerospace is a global leader in armour technology manufacturing and vehicle integration, delivering high-performance, lifesaving solutions for the defence and security industry. Our mission is to improve and protect lives, and our vision is to be a leading provider of innovative solutions that solve our customers' complex challenges. Our values - Respect, Collaboration, Integrity, and Dedication form the bedrock of our culture. Our extensive range of combat-proven body armour, from ballistic helmets, plates, and shields to bomb disposal suits, highlights some of the most advanced composite materials. With a team of R&D engineers working on next-generation solutions, we also excel in highly engineered vehicle systems and armour platforms used by some of the world’s largest defence organisations. Founded in 1926, NP Aerospace has served the defence industry for over 40 years, evolving into an agile and diverse company.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

NP Aerospace is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, colour, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We are also fully committed to supporting the Defence Community and actively advertise roles on Defence specific platforms such as CTP, Force Families, Forces Employment Charity, and Veterans Job Board.

Data Privacy: NP Aerospace respects the privacy of all applicants. Personal information provided during the application process will be treated in accordance with our privacy policy and applicable data protection laws. Please note: If successful, you will be required to sign the Official Secrets Act and successfully pass the necessary checks before you can begin your employment with NP Aerospace.