Buyer / Senior Buyer

Buyer / Senior Buyer

Prestwick Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead supplier negotiations and manage procurement strategies to optimise costs and performance.
  • Company: Spirit AeroSystems designs and builds aerostructures for top aircraft globally, with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, generous holidays, bonuses, and professional development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic team making an impact in aerospace, with a culture that values growth and collaboration.
  • Qualifications: Experience in Procurement or Supply Chain Management; CIPS or equivalent preferred.
  • Other info: Position based in Prestwick; half-day Fridays and free car parking included.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Overview

Spirit AeroSystems designs and builds aerostructures for both commercial and defense customers. With headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit operates sites in the U.S., U.K., France and Malaysia. The company\’s core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components for the world\’s premier aircraft. Spirit AeroSystems focuses on affordable, innovative composite and aluminum manufacturing solutions to support customers around the globe.

Role Purpose

To implement the procurement strategy, lead negotiations with the supply base to reduce the overall costs of bought in materials and ensure flow down of customer Business Agreements across multiple suppliers is embedded and managed

Buyer / Senior Buyer(dependent on experience)

This opportunity, based at our Prestwick site offers:

  • 37 hour working week (half day Friday)
  • Shift premiums up to 33%, where applicable
  • Overtime at time and a half, where applicable
  • 33 days holiday per year, rising with service
  • Annual Bonus related to company performance
  • Defined contribution pension scheme (default contributions; 4% employee and 8% employer)
  • Virtual GP Service 365 days per year
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • A wide range of flexible benefits
  • Death in service payment (default 4 times basic salary)
  • Professional development and growth

Responsibilities

  • To manage a number of high value strategic suppliers.
  • To monitor the overall performance of the supply base and produce clear management information for reviews.
  • To develop and improve performance of the key suppliers with regard to cost, quality, other contract terms and service.
  • Conduct competitive and non-competitive supplier selection, as part of an MFT, dependant on strategic requirements.
  • Support supplier assessment activities and supplier development plans as part of multi-functional team.
  • Support supplier transfer management requirements.
  • Produce development plans for multiple suppliers which set targets for improvement against our business requirements.
  • To be used as a point of escalation in giving assistance in resolving critical shortages impacting the build schedule.
  • Provide the team with a clear process in order to analyse the supply base & identify opportunities for rationalisation.
  • Conduct resourcing where necessary to secure lowest cost of supply.
  • To lead strategic reviews and business readiness assessments with suppliers and provide outputs on financial status, growth and risks.
  • To issue I.T.T’s Request for Proposals (RFP’s) as required for new business requirement and for expiring contracts.
  • Maintain an awareness of current contract law.
  • Ensure appropriate contractual coverage with each and every supplier.
  • Identify, manage and escalate as required any potential supplier risks.
  • Maintain an awareness of the critical exchange rates and highlight any significant movements.
  • Ensure involvement in the introduction of new parts and identify any risks to the production plan.
  • Ensure that the Procurement team keep abreast of the engineering changes and modifications. Ensure that the cost impact is minimised whilst meeting customer demand.
  • Clear invoice queries promptly t hrough supplier management activities, lead Procurement exit strategies / introduction of new suppliers.
  • Ensure supplier capacity & capability information is accurate and topical identifying potential risks and mitigation opportunities.
  • Input and presentation at customer rate readiness reviews on supply base rate capability.
  • Manage cost per aircraft information mitigation any risk to pricing through negotiation.
  • Interface with Spirit corporate and support Spirit Malaysia on supplier strategy and tendering activities.
  • Understand and identify customer requirements and support interface at all levels to ensure that proactive performance is delivered by Aerostructures strategic suppliers/services base.
  • Develop SLA’s and monitor / analyse delivery, quality, cost and performance against them to meet Business needs.
  • Apply Customer Satisfaction ratings to Product Suppliers and Service Providers, and deliver appropriate performance improvements.
  • Ensure SAP is maintained and reflective of current supplier and pricing information.
  • Present team inputs to monthly team review process and provide data for monthly CS.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

  • Good experience in Procurement or Supply Chain Management (several years’ experience)
  • Working towards CIPS (or equivalent)
  • Graduate / HND or equivalent qualification or experience
  • Good communications skills
  • Understanding of project management
  • Good IT. skills

  • Using knowledge and experience to promote and process improvements

  • Understanding of contract law / customs regulations

  • Understanding of financial management basics (P&L’s and Balance Sheets etc.)

  • Good commercial and financial awareness

  • Good Relationship management Skills internal and external

Decision Making Authority

  • Operates at a higher level within the supply base. (i.e. more complex suppliers).
  • Will have responsibility for managing a portfolio of suppliers including pricing and commercial management.
  • Conducts strategic reviews with suppliers and will ensure risks and opportunities are effectively managed.
  • Accountable for raising purchase orders and ensuring contractual spend is managed effectively.
  • PAL limit up to £250K.
  • May supervise purchasing engineers as deemed necessary and take lead role in management of non-recurring activities.
  • Decisions that impact strategy or business activities must be authorised by manager.

Closing Date; Thursday 24th July, at 12pm

External applicants should be awarethat as part of our pre-employment checks, preferred candidates must complete:

1) Right to Work in the UK check

2) Employment Reference check

3) Disclosure Scotland check

4) Pre employment Medical

Spirit will facilitate these checks via our chosen service provider.

Spirit AeroSystems is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law.

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Buyer / Senior Buyer employer: Spirit AeroSystems

Spirit AeroSystems is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Prestwick site, where innovation meets collaboration in the aerospace industry. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits including a generous holiday allowance, flexible working options, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we empower our team members to thrive both personally and professionally. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking company that values your contributions and supports your career growth in a vital sector.
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Contact Detail:

Spirit AeroSystems Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Buyer / Senior Buyer

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific procurement strategies used in the aerospace industry. Understanding how Spirit AeroSystems approaches supplier negotiations and cost management will give you a significant edge during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the aerospace supply chain sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with current employees or others in similar roles, as they can provide insights into the company culture and expectations.

✨Tip Number 3

Brush up on your knowledge of contract law and financial management basics. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will demonstrate your preparedness for the role and your ability to manage supplier relationships effectively.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your experience with supplier performance monitoring and improvement strategies. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and driven cost reductions in previous roles.

We think you need these skills to ace Buyer / Senior Buyer

Procurement Management
Supplier Relationship Management
Negotiation Skills
Contract Law Knowledge
Financial Management Basics
Project Management Understanding
Data Analysis and Reporting
Cost Reduction Strategies
Risk Management
Communication Skills
IT Proficiency (SAP and other relevant software)
Strategic Planning
Supplier Performance Monitoring
Problem-Solving Skills
Team Leadership

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement or supply chain management. Emphasise any specific achievements related to cost reduction, supplier management, and contract negotiations that align with the responsibilities of the Buyer / Senior Buyer role.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that clearly outlines your motivation for applying to Spirit AeroSystems. Mention your understanding of their core products and how your skills can contribute to their procurement strategy and supplier management.

Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on key skills such as negotiation, relationship management, and financial awareness. Provide examples of how you've successfully applied these skills in previous roles, particularly in managing high-value suppliers.

Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects attention to detail, which is crucial in procurement roles.

How to prepare for a job interview at Spirit AeroSystems

✨Understand the Procurement Strategy

Familiarise yourself with the company's procurement strategy and how it aligns with their overall business goals. Be prepared to discuss how your experience can contribute to implementing this strategy effectively.

✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills

Since the role involves leading negotiations with suppliers, be ready to provide examples of successful negotiations you've conducted in the past. Highlight your approach to reducing costs while maintaining quality.

✨Demonstrate Supplier Management Experience

Prepare to discuss your experience in managing high-value strategic suppliers. Be specific about how you've monitored supplier performance and implemented improvement plans in previous roles.

✨Highlight Your Financial Acumen

Given the importance of financial management in this role, be ready to talk about your understanding of P&L statements and balance sheets. Discuss how you've used financial data to make informed procurement decisions.

Buyer / Senior Buyer
Spirit AeroSystems
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  • Buyer / Senior Buyer

    Prestwick
    Full-Time
    36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-07-16

  • S

    Spirit AeroSystems

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