At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive material readiness for exciting aerospace projects and collaborate with engineering teams.
- Company: Join Safran, a global leader in aviation and defence, committed to sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, private medical cover, and an industry-leading pension scheme.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome all applicants.
- Why this job: Be a key player in innovative aerospace projects that impact the future of air travel.
- Qualifications: Experience in project buying and a knack for problem-solving in dynamic environments.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets. Safran Seats is one of the world's leading manufacturers of aircraft seats, for both crew and passengers. 1 million Safran Seats-manufactured aircraft seats are currently in service with air fleets around the world.
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:
- 33 days holiday
- Industry leading pension scheme with salary sacrifice employer contributions up to 10%
- Private medical cover (to include Digital GP and rapid access Physio with no excess) with ability to upgrade level of benefit and cover family members
- Access to salary sacrifice benefits scheme including cycle to work and Octopus EV Scheme
- 4 x Life Assurance
- Interactive benefits platform including wide range of discretionary benefits including technology, retail benefits, income protection
- Enhanced family friendly policies and benefits (enhanced maternity and paternity leave) and employee assistance programme
- Annual share save schemes
Your role: As a Project Buyer, you'll play a critical role in driving material readiness for new programme milestones, ensuring the right parts are sourced, ordered, and delivered on time to support development, testing, and certification phases. You'll collaborate closely with engineering and programme teams, transforming requirements into clear purchasing actions while managing suppliers, RFP/Q processes, and purchase orders. Your work will directly influence programme success by maintaining accurate purchasing health reports, tracking costs against budget targets, and resolving material issues. It's a dynamic, hands-on role where you'll be the link between programme needs and supplier performance, helping to keep complex projects moving smoothly.
Key Responsibilities:
- Keep track and report all purchased material needs across development, testing, and PDR/CDR stages, keeping everything on schedule
- Run RFP/RFQ activities, review supplier quotes, and support choosing the right partners using engineering and programme data
- Raise purchase orders through MRP and work closely with suppliers to ensure materials arrive on time, in full, and to the quality expected
- Tackle any material or invoice issues to keep the programme moving and maintain strong performance against KPIs
- Keep the team informed by creating clear purchasing health reports and dashboards for IPT and leadership reviews
- Keep costs on track by monitoring spend against budgets, spotting cost avoidance opportunities, and managing approvals for long lead items
- Oversee programme inventory, from tracking and disposition to arranging transport or airfreight when required
What you'll bring:
- Proven experience in a Project/Programme Buying role
- Demonstrable technical understanding, including the ability to read and interpret engineering drawings
- Strong understanding of manufacturing, supply chain, or new product introduction (NPI) processes
- Experience working MRP (Material Requirements Planning) and ERP tools.
- Proven problem-solving skills with a proactive, solution-focused mindset.
At Safran, we understand that diversity and inclusion make teams stronger and more effective, and as an organisation, we are committed to fair and equitable employment practices for everyone. We also know that some candidates may be put off applying for jobs where they don't meet 100% of the criteria outlined in the advert, however, 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 application or hiring process that may better facilitate your participation.
Project Buyer in Cwmbran employer: Safran UK
At Safran Seats in Cwmbran, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and growth. With benefits such as 33 days of holiday, an industry-leading pension scheme, and enhanced family-friendly policies, we ensure our team members are well taken care of both professionally and personally. Join us to be part of a dynamic environment where your contributions directly impact the success of innovative aerospace projects, all while enjoying the advantages of working for a globally recognised leader in the aviation industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Buyer in Cwmbran
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at Safran or similar companies. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to job opportunities that aren't even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Safran's projects and values. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission of making air transport more sustainable and accessible.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your problem-solving skills! As a Project Buyer, you'll need to tackle material issues on the fly. Use mock scenarios to demonstrate how you'd handle challenges during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Safran team.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Buyer in Cwmbran
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Project Buyer role. Highlight any relevant experience in purchasing, supply chain management, or working with engineering teams to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about the role and how your background makes you a great candidate. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities listed in the job description.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. We want to see your proactive mindset and how you’ve successfully navigated complex situations in project buying or related fields.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Safran UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of project buying and the specific requirements of the role. Familiarise yourself with Safran's operations, especially in aviation and manufacturing processes. Being able to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs will show you're serious about the position.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles, particularly related to procurement or supply chain issues. Safran values a proactive mindset, so be ready to discuss how you can contribute to keeping projects on track and resolving material issues efficiently.
✨Understand the Technical Side
Since the role requires a strong technical understanding, practice reading and interpreting engineering drawings. This will not only help you answer technical questions but also demonstrate your capability to collaborate effectively with engineering teams.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Budgets
Safran is keen on maintaining costs against budget targets, so come prepared to talk about your experience with budget management. Highlight any instances where you've successfully monitored spending or identified cost-saving opportunities in past projects.
