At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the purchasing process for innovative aerospace projects and manage multiple vendors.
- Company: Join Safran, a global leader in aerospace and defence with a commitment to sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 33 days holiday, flexible benefits, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with opportunities for personal development and career growth.
- Why this job: Be part of cutting-edge technology and contribute to a sustainable future in aerospace.
- Qualifications: Experience in purchasing within manufacturing and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace, space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated 31.3 billion in revenue in 2025.
As the world leader in aeronautical electrical systems, Safran Electrical & Power is a key player in the electrification of aircraft equipment and electric and hybrid propulsion. With expertise across the onboard energy chain, the company designs and delivers innovative, optimized and modular architectures and solutions.
Your role: The NPI Buyer plays a lead role in a multi-discipline project team, providing the interface with the external Supply Chain pre-production to manage the parts acquisition process for NPI programmes from initial concept, through the design life cycle, industrialization, then to handover of a stable supply chain into production and the Procurement team. You'll manage and coordinate the Purchasing function for new programmes, managing multiple vendors (approx. 20 per typical project) across 2-4 projects simultaneously. You'll navigate different levels of complexity, with budgets 1Million+ per program.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage multiple vendors & projects simultaneously
- Work within cross functional project teams, reporting to internal stakeholders of all levels, liaising with other sites on multi-site programs
- Manage and facilitate all sourcing activity, aligning the core commodity strategies with supplier selection and the future product roadmap for new products and technology being developed
- Ensure deployment of Design for Manufacture (DFM) processes with early supplier engagement, to manage and report design evolution from concept/baseline throughout the NPI phases of prototype and qualification
- Follow a robust methodology, challenging design requirements, potential over engineering and scope creep
- Create, conduct and close RFQ / RFP Packages with Selected Supplier Choice panels
- Risk Analysis – Identification and resolution of supply issues in order to meet business commitments
- Challenge, negotiate, secure and report fulfilment of program targets in terms of Quality, Cost, Delivery (QCD)
- Ensure that the suppliers are able to meet the Safran Quality requirements and where needed, facilitate negotiations between Engineering and Suppliers
Benefits: Looking after the people who make Safran great is our priority. We offer a range of flexible benefits designed to support you, both in and out of work, including:
- Competitive salary
- Excellent Pension and bonus scheme
- 33 Days Holiday (including bank holidays)
- Dental and BUPA cover
- Workplace nursery scheme
- Midday finish on Fridays
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Wellbeing programme
- Employee assistance programme including health and finance
- Onsite subsidised canteen
- We support your ambitions with training, development, a personalised career plan and mobility opportunities
Candidate skills & requirements:
- Purchasing/sourcing experience within a manufacturing environment
- Astute commercial awareness
- Proven experience in liaising with customers or suppliers; with a background of negotiation
- Demonstrates healthy and productive influencing ability which can be applied within an engineering/design/manufacturing environment
- Strong interpersonal skills – ability to work with individuals across a range of functions and varying seniority
- Motivation to learn, develop and perform in a fast-paced rapid prototype environment
- Experience with metric creations and data presentations, with strong written and verbal communication skills
We encourage anybody to apply if you can demonstrate a variety of skills and experience relevant to the requirements of this role. Please let us know if you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to the hiring process that may better facilitate your participation. We celebrate our differences and believe they make us stronger.
Position location: Europe, UK, England, London, City (-ies) Pitstone, Buckinghamshire.
NPI Buyer in London employer: Safran Group
At Safran, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of aerospace innovation. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through extensive training opportunities and a culture that champions diversity and collaboration. With generous benefits including 33 days of holiday, a leading pension scheme, and a focus on sustainability, working at our Llantarnam Industrial Park location means being part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to excellence and making a meaningful impact in the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land NPI Buyer in London
✨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 Safran Group for a NPI 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 NPI Buyer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Safran Group, 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 Safran Group, 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 Safran Group
✨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 Safran Group.
✨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 Safran Group. 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 Safran Group love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
