Senior Technical Buyer

As a Senior Buyer reporting to the procurement manager, you will be responsible for purchase order creation, managing our end-to-end supply chain processes, ensuring the availability and delivery of critical components, managing supplier relationships, and driving operational excellence. Your role will be pivotal in supporting our mission to revolutionize the aviation industry with sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supplier Management: Identify, evaluate, and onboard strategic suppliers capable of meeting ZeroAvia's quality, cost, and delivery requirements. Establish strong partnerships/relationships and negotiate contracts with suppliers to secure favourable terms and conditions. Monitor supplier performance, conduct regular performance reviews, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Address and resolve any issues or disputes with suppliers to maintain a smooth supply chain.
• Inventory Management: Optimize inventory levels to balance cost and lead time while meeting production and customer demand. Establish inventory targets, lead times, and safety stock levels to ensure optimal inventory management.
• Risk Management and Compliance: Identify potential supply chain risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize disruptions. Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards related to supply chain operations. Implement and maintain robust processes for quality control, product traceability, and supplier audits.
• Supply Chain Optimization: Continuously work to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the supply chain, identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Execution of Supply Chain Strategy and Planning: Support the execution of the supply chain strategy in alignment with ZeroAvia's overall business objectives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to forecast demand, identify potential risks, and implement mitigation strategies. Draft and prepare quotations, purchase orders, other standard agreements and approvals in line with internal procedures. Analyse Engineering Bills of Material, process, confirm and communicate requirements to the suppliers. Negotiate deadlines/quantities and prices with suppliers. Provide input to program management meetings and manufacturing supply chain reviews. Oversee the progress and follow the flow of manufacturing on the supplier's site, manage order book and delivery receipts. Measure and analyse supplier performance in coordination with the functional requirements and if their targets are not being reached, set up internal and external action plans in close cooperation with the stakeholders. Establish and implement action plans to limit risks and ensure program objectives are met. Track supplier progress ensuring on-time delivery.

Requirements:

• Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.
• Experience in aviation necessary.
• Desire for a candidate with strong "make to print" experience.
• High degree of ownership of procurement, the ability to adapt to issues as they arise, and provide solutions.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, proven in working in teams with technical and non-technical members and building rapport.
• Flexible approach to work and a high level of drive and ambition to help achieve the organisation's goals.
• A genuine passion for clean technology and the future of electric aviation.
• A high level of attention to detail and professional integrity.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks with varying levels of requirements efficiently and effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to understand Engineering Drawings & technical specifications.
• 3+ years experience in a Buyer role.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Demonstrated experience in supplier management, negotiation, and contract management.
• Proficiency in using supply chain management software, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment with a high degree of adaptability and resilience.
• Certification in supply chain management (e.g., CIPS, APICS, CSCP, CPSM) is a plus.

Who are we?

ZeroAvia is pioneering the shift towards sustainable aviation with hydrogen-electric powertrains, aiming to make air travel truly clean. We are focusing on designing and commercializing hydrogen-powered solutions for aviation, fostering a culture of innovation, efficiency, and problem-solving within a high-velocity work environment, and encouraging team members to take radical ownership and challenge conventional approaches to drive innovation.

If you're interested in contributing to this mission, ZeroAvia looks for individuals who are solution-focused and driven by results, eager to ask questions and challenge existing norms, and committed to innovation, with the goal of zero-carbon aviation for a sustainable future.

Benefits:

Why Join Us? We want to help you be your best self, at work and at home, that's why we provide our employees with:

• Private health and dental care - get access to services and support when you need them. Add your family members too.
• Mental health support - enjoy a culture where positive mental health is front of mind with our trained Mental Health First Aiders, Employee Assistance Programmes and wellbeing support.
• Free lunch and healthy snacks - keeping you fuelled up so you can help us deliver the technology of the future.
• Sports, games and culture clubs - connect and keep fit with other ZeroAvians by joining one of our subsidised clubs - such as running, cycling, padel, trivia, theatre and gardening.
• Stock options - so you can share our success.
• 5 hours of free flying lessons.
• 25 days holiday, plus public holidays - to help you manage your work-life balance.
• Free EV Charging and membership in our EV Club.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes for EV Club, Curry's Tech, Cycle to Work, and Ikea furniture.
• Weekly Spot Bonuses to reward excellence.
• Income Protection and Legal Support for peace of mind.
• Relocation Support to make your move seamless.