Management and coordination for the Purchasing function on new programmes at Pitstone, managing multiple vendors (approx. 20 per typical project), managing between 2-4 projects simultaneously, with different levels of complexity Project budget responsibility is typically £1M to £3M per program (sometimes more), excluding non-recurring costs (NRCs) and CAPEX. 95% bought components.

Manage and facilitate all sourcing activity, aligning the core commodity strategies with supplier selection and the future product roadmap for new products and technology being developed
Ensure deployment of Design for Manufacture (DFM) processes with early supplier engagement, to manage and report design evolution from concept/baseline throughout the New Product Introduction (NPI) phases of prototype and qualification
Follow a robust DTC methodology, challenging design requirements, potential over engineering and scope creep
Create, conduct and close RFQ / RFP Packages with Selected Supplier Choice panels
Manage deliveries of Purchase orders, communicate weekly clear to build status to program team and work with suppliers to ensure any deviations and technical issues are captured, agreed with stake holders such as engineering and programs teams
Ensure the technical issues are escalated and mitigated with stakeholder support.
Escalate, where appropriate, any significant issues that require management intervention or awareness;
Work with suppliers to resolve issues impacting performance, such as, Quality discrepancies, Book in queries, Permits/Concessions or Invoice query resolution and corrective actions where needed
Support daily IPT (Integrated Program Team) meeting for assigned projects
Ensure project costs are captured and reported monthly via BoM costing model
Manage returns to vendors via the NCT process
Work closely with engineering to ensure design evolutions are in alignment with manufacturing leadtimes
Work with Purchasing/SPRM SRPM/SQA/Vendors to ensure/create robust and efficient Supply chains
Explore & exploit opportunities for cost improvement on the project; while ensuring commodity strategy is
Work with Supplier Account Manager / Commodity Manager to negotiate prices, terms, conditions and agreements
Assist where required with BOM and MRP maintenance, to include part # creation and planning parameter loading
Provide senior management with a weekly update on program status and risks
Risk Analysis - Identification and resolution of supply issues in order to meet business commitments
Strong supplier relationship management, developing a competent network of capable suppliers and partners to support a dynamic, agile and lean environment
To take a very proactive approach to aggressive cost reduction and design influence
Challenge, negotiate, secure and report fulfilment of program targets in terms of Quality, Cost, Delivery (QCD)
Ensure that the suppliers are able to meet the Safran Quality requirements and where needed, facilitate negotiations between Engineering and Supplier
To provide rolling cost data for project showing current and future state
To secure parts in line with program schedule
Initiate long term agreement negotiations with programme and strategic suppliers, ensuring that development and supply agreements are structured in line with customer terms and programme objectives, working with Commodity Management Team
To report and present at programme reviews

Purchasing/sourcing experience within a manufacturing environment. Aerospace sector not necessary but desirable. An awareness of low volume sourcing would be very preferable
Astute commercial awareness
Proven experience in liaising with customers or suppliers; with a background of negotiation
Demonstrates healthy and productive influencing ability which can be applied within an engineering /design /manufacturing environment
Strong interpersonal skills - ability to work with individuals across a range of functions and varying seniority
Demonstrates versatility dealing with a range of cultures, across different time zones
High motivation to learn, develop and perform in a fast-paced rapid prototype environment
Attention to detail, with a proven ability to manage multiple, conflicting priorities simultaneously
Experience with metric creations and data presentations, with strong written and verbal communication skills
Bias for action: Decisive and takes the initiative
Experience with improving processes
Good PC skills, confident with use of MRP systems and Microsoft office (Excel & PowerPoint)
Evidence of written English at interview stage. This will be through providing certification of a formal English or technical qualification studied in the UK or overseas in English. If this cannot be provided you will be required to complete and pass an online SHL English comprehension test as part of the interview process.