Job Details Lead Buyer - Contracting Specialist R23979

Do you thrive on the opportunity of having a direct influence on the direction of the business within a procurement environment?, Do you thrive on the opportunity of having a direct influence on the direction of the business within a procurement environment? The Industrial Policy, Supply Chain and Procurement (ISP) organisation is responsible for procuring and managing supply chain for direct and indirect products and services for both projects and the business, with a total spend of approximately €500M per year across UK, France and Italy. As a Lead Buyer - Contracting Specialist, you will be responsible for the procurement activities across a number of categories with an increased focus on the early stages of the product lifecycle, including Concept Assessment and Development. Whilst being the focal point for multi-function teams, you will work closely alongside the Category manager, Supply Chain Manager, Supplier Planners and other key stakeholders to drive procurement excellence. Reporting to the Procurement Manager, you will be responsible for maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and internal project teams and functions, ensuring the best contractual terms are achieved and that existing and future relationships with the suppliers are managed effectively. This role will provide you with the opportunity to work in a varied and exciting role within a dynamic team environment, incorporating complex stakeholder management and strategic sourcing to secure a supply base for new and existing requirements. Your Main Responsibilities as a Lead Buyer - Contracting Specialist will include:

• As a subject matter expert, you will be responsible for leading all contracting lifecycle activities across early development and production stages, ensuring both MBDA and End Customer contractual requirements are embedded within formal agreements.
• Utilising demand data to implement formalised pricing and flexible trading agreements.
• Influencing and implementing MBDA Group Category strategy, working with Category Managers to pro-actively provide ideas and solutions.
• Leading / active participation, in multifunctional and international teams, to support definition and negotiation strategies for specific categories and/or projects.
• Identification and management of risk within the supply chain.
• Maintaining strong, effective relationships with suppliers that are capable long-term effectiveness and resolution of performance issues through improvement plans.
• Understanding budget requirements, identifying and implementing opportunities for cost reduction/avoidance through effective negotiation with the supplier to ensure the competitiveness of MBDA.
• Understanding and maintaining Key Performance Indicators for suppliers.
• Maintaining supplier open order books and supply contracts, ensuring data is maintained and topical in the SAP ERP system.
• Facilitating Design for Manufacture sessions with Engineering, Manufacturing and Suppliers.
• Supporting knowledge and best practice sharing across the community of Senior & Lead Buyers.
• Actively supporting functional excellence programmes, identifying and developing areas for improvement where new processes may be required.
• Providing and presenting briefs and reports for Senior Management reviews including potential risks/issues.
Whilst our environment is complex, challenging and varied from day to day, by joining our excellent team, you will surrounded by individuals that are dedicated to support one another and achieve common goals whilst sharing knowledge, experience, best practice and opinion., We respect new perspectives and experiences, and we value our collaborative ways of working. We are committed to growing and supporting diversity in our workforce and ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to reach their potential. MBDA is proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity and more… We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process. We also welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements., Employees receive 25 days of paid annual leave per calendar year, in addition to all statutory and public holidays., We trust our people to agree, within their teams, where and when they can be most effective. Our Dynamic Working policies allow individuals great levels of flexibility around the hours they work and where they work. Depending on your role and function, this may include options for paid overtime, dynamic leave (time in lieu) and more., Our MBDA Retirement Savings Plan is a 'Defined Contribution' plan in the Mercer Master Trust, administered by Scottish Widows. The standard contributions are 4% of an employee's base salary and 6% employer contributions. You can increase both employee and employer contributions by up to 2%. Financial Awareness - Employees have access to free financial webinars hosted throughout the year, along with access to a financial education website which provides plenty of useful hints, tips and guidance on managing financial wellness. Share Incentive Plan - Acquire shares in our UK Shareholder, BAE Systems PLC, the scheme is tax efficient on shares purchased. Mortgage Advice - As part of our financial wellbeing initiative employees can access free of charge mortgage advice and webinars. Season Ticket Loan - Employees can borrow the value of public transport season ticket for bus or train journeys to and from work and spread the cost over 12 months. Critical Illness - To help reduce the financial impact after being diagnosed with a critical illness, employees receive a tax-free lump sum payment that can be used for any purpose including covering medical expenses, adjustments to lifestyle and more., Employee Assistance Programme - The Employee Assistance Programme is free, independent, confidential and is available 24 hours a day/365 days a year. Employees have access to short-term counselling (which includes up to 8 structured face to face, telephone or virtual sessions). Voluntary Private Medical Insurance - Private Medical Insurance offers three healthcare plans to suit your individual requirements for you and your family. Funded Private Medical Insurance - Eligible employees (Grade C & Above) are enrolled as standard into the company funded Private Medical Insurance benefit. Dental Insurance - The Dental Insurance benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday dental expenses such as, minor treatments, routine examinations, restorative treatment and more. There are six levels of cover available, with each level providing increased claim limits. Healthcare Cash Plan - The Healthcare Cash Plan benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing and more. There are six levels of cover available, with each level providing increased claim limits. Healthcare and Leisure - The Healthcare and Leisure benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as medical fees, dentist fees, opticians and also provides access to special deals and concessions on sporting and recreational facilities.

You will have excellent knowledge of strategic and operational procurement processes, whilst being an excellent team player and capable of taking a lead in your category. You will have well-developed communication, negotiation, analytical and interpersonal skills with a strong ability to influence at all levels with both your internal and external stakeholders. You will be passionate about developing strategy and driving improvements in order to meet the overall needs of the business. Your skills and qualifications:
• Strong contracting experience and capability
• Procurement and or Supply Chain experience, managing all activities within the scope of the role, with an in depth knowledge of principles, practices and processes
• Strong commercial and financial understanding
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate to various levels of internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills; able to secure the best commercial position for MBDA.
• High level of computer literacy and proficient in the use of Microsoft office tools for analysing and communicating purposes.
• Whilst not essential, CIPS level 4 (or working towards) or equivalent HNC/HND in Business Studies or equivalent qualification would be beneficial.
• Whilst not essential, understanding/experience of UK MoD Defence Conditions would be beneficial.
  
  MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom., Healthworks Gym Membership - The Healthworks on-site gym at our Stevenage site offers a range of facilities and equipment, alongside a variety of classes available during the week.
Annual Gym Membership - Take advantage of discounted membership at over 3,600 of the UK's leading gym chains, leisure centres, hotel health clubs, independent gyms, boot camps and yoga studios. The Club -The Club provides a fantastic opportunity to enjoy great social activities - from theatre trips, days out, to sporting activities., We're proud to be a nationally recognised employer at MBDA. We have received a range of employer awards including Glassdoor Best Places to Work 2022; Gold awards from Investors in People, the 5% Club, and Armed Forces Covenant. We are also currently ranked #1 in the UK's Best Big Companies to Work For 2022 league table, as well as #1 for Manufacturing.


• Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year)
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Overtime: opportunity for paid overtime
• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave. Enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments.
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…
• Training and Development: Excellent career progression, training and career development opportunities, This increases to 26 days after 10 years of service and 27 days after 30 years. You can enjoy more time off by purchasing up to an additional five days holiday through payroll., We recognise that having or adopting a child is a significant life event for our employees and as a family friendly employer we offer a range of enhanced family leave provisions to support employees before, during and after a period of leave.
Our enhanced parental leave offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave. Enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments. We also offer 2 weeks enhanced pay for paternity leave, and neonatal care leave for up to 12 weeks where a period of extended hospital care is required after birth. Employees also have access to support whilst undergoing fertility testing and treatments.Lifestyle - Discounts & VouchersLifestyle - Discounts & Vouchers Discounts - The Discounts platform includes a great range of features such as: discounts, instant vouchers, reloadable cards, easy saver cards, cashback, mobile app and Wellbeing Centre. Costco - Permanent employees of MBDA qualify for Costco's individual membership. Technology Vouchers - Purchase the latest gadgets and white goods up to the value of £2,500 and spread the cost over 12 months. Charity Donations - Donate up to five charities each month, with full tax relief on all donations. MyCar Scheme - The MBDA MyCar Scheme offers employees the opportunity to access up to two new vehicles via a salary sacrifice arrangement including an all-inclusive package. Holiday Purchase - Purchase up to 5 days' extra holiday whilst making tax and National Insurance savings, spreading the cost over 12 months., Development of our people is of vital importance to us at MBDA, which is why we ensure everyone has access to the teams, tools and resources needed to achieve their goals. This includes our dedicated in-house Learning & Development team, our Apprenticeship programmes, a variety of online learning platforms, and much more. We encourage new learning and will provide up to £150 in financial support per year if you wish to participate in further study in your own time. If you lead a team, or hope to do so in the future, we offer a range of management training opportunities, with paths designed for people of all experience levels.Dynamic Working We want our people to work when and where they feel they can be most effective. For most of our employees, we have a flexi-time scheme that allows you to choose, within certain parameters, when you start and finish each day and how you can use time you have accrued. For roles that do not have to be based on one of our sites full-time, you will have opportunities to work from home as part of your agreed Dynamic Working arrangement. If you have worked the time, you are also able to accrue and take up to 15 days of Flexi-leave per annum, in addition to the 25 days of annual leave provided and bank holidays.Security Clearance All employees at MBDA are required to hold UK Security or BPSS Clearance.