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- Tasks: Drive material readiness for key programme milestones and manage supplier relationships.
- Company: Join Safran, a global leader in aerospace and defence with a commitment to sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, private medical cover, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and involvement in community initiatives.
- Why this job: Be part of innovative projects that make air transport safer and more sustainable.
- Qualifications: Experience in purchasing and strong communication skills are essential.
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.
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.
We are looking for passionate individuals to join our Purchasing team as a Programme Purchaser at our Cwmbran site.
About the role:
As a Programme Purchaser, you'll play a central role in driving material readiness for key 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.
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.
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 (including bank holidays).
- 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.
- Option for hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
- Opportunities for career advancement and personal growth.
- Get involved in our corporate social responsibility activities from sustainability initiatives, charity and fundraising, volunteering days, or supporting STEM activities at local schools and colleges nurturing the next generation of talent.
What you'll bring:
- Previous experience in purchasing or buying - essential
- Strong communication skills, resilience and confidence when dealing with stakeholders at all levels - essential
- Experience working MRP (Material Requirements Planning) and ERP tools (Baan ideally) - desirable
- Proven problem solving skills with a proactive, solution focused mindset - essential
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.
Programme Purchaser employer: Safran
Contact Detail:
Safran Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Purchaser
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Safran through LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding Safran's mission and values. Show how your skills align with their goals, especially around sustainability and innovation. We want to see your passion for making a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your problem-solving skills! As a Programme Purchaser, you'll need to tackle challenges head-on. Use real-life examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated similar situations.
✨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. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Purchaser
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Programme Purchaser role. Highlight relevant experience in purchasing and any specific skills that match the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how you can contribute to our mission at Safran. Keep it concise but impactful, and don’t forget to mention your problem-solving skills!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since strong communication is key for this role, make sure to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively in your application. Whether it's through your CV or cover letter, let us know how you've successfully engaged with stakeholders in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Safran
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Safran's mission and values. Understand their commitment to sustainability and innovation in aerospace. This will not only help you answer questions but also show your genuine interest in the company.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your previous purchasing roles that highlight your problem-solving skills and experience with MRP/ERP tools. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and tackled material issues in the past.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Come prepared with insightful questions about the role and the team dynamics. Inquire about how the Purchasing team collaborates with engineering and programme teams, or ask about the challenges they face in maintaining purchasing health reports.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
Since strong communication is essential for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, ensuring you convey your ideas effectively during the interview.