Senior Buyer

Please note: This role is based in the London office 4 days per week

Job Overview:

We have a great opportunity for a Senior Subcontract Buyer to join a growing company in the procurement team, working closely with engineering in the development of a novel phased array antenna system.

Reporting directly to the Subcontract Manager, the successful candidate will work closely with the design and supply chain teams to establish a robust supply chain, to support the scale up of hardware procurement ensuring that obsolescence issues and supply chain risks are identified and mitigated in a timely manner.

The senior subcontract buyer role is expected to expertly carry out sourcing activities from; RFQs and order placements, to agreeing contractual terms with suppliers, as well as continuous stakeholder management. This role relies on effective workload prioritisation and high independent productivity to meet the needs of the business.

The role requires a self-motivated Senior Subcontract Buyer who has a strong background in working with electronic and mechanical component suppliers, ensuring best value and on time delivery are achieved. Candidates should be a strong communicator, motivated by teamwork and happy to support the team to ensure that the company objectives are achieved.

Technical Responsibilities:

• Act as primary procurement lead to manage procurement activities with the CEM, in line with project requirements and schedules. Includes material sourcing for electronic components/PCA deliveries and high-level assembly activities, to support production readiness for the design of electronically steered antennas.
• Take ownership of outsourcing activities, relating to both hardware and software – including generation of SOWs, negotiating contracts, and management of contract execution.
• Support cost model reviews by providing material cost analysis inputs and seeking ongoing efficiencies in the supply chain (including tracking spend in line with budgets, and achieving company cost-savings).
• Proficient use of, and reporting from, an ERP system including; monitoring of supplier KPIs, spend tracking, open commitment, etc. Work with finance to support forecasting and cashflow for subcontracted spend.
• Support implementation of, and follow processes to ensure procurement best practise and meet AS9100 standards as required by the business, both procurement and wider functional obligations.

Organisational Responsibilities:

• Report into the subcontract manager and engineering teams on status updates for production readiness etc – often driving and/or influencing internal decision making to aid progression of procurement activities.
• Support quality compliance to help maintain the ISO9001/AS9100 ambitions of the organisation by following and enforcing procurement related processes.
• Identify and manage any risks associated with procurement progress affecting project timelines. This may involve identification of supply chain risks, ensuring compliance with contracts, and developing sourcing strategies for component groups.
• Be proactive in taking ownership of procurement tasks and always seek opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Assist implementation and the maturity of procurement processes and ensure adherence to wider company processes relating to accreditation requirements.
• Ability to liaise, and build positive relationships with cross-functional stakeholders (both internal and external) i.e.; engineering teams, finance, CEMs, component distributors.
• The successful candidate will be expected to take the initiative in identifying and addressing challenges, and to work independently to achieve project goals.

Qualifications & Skills:

Essential:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in procurement, preferably in the electronics/aerospace/satcomms industry
• Bachelors degree in Business, Supply Chain Management or suitable qualification in a related discipline (or equivalent business experience)
• Experience with commercial agreements, terms & conditions and NDA’s
• Strong negotiation, communication and relationship management skills
• High attention to detail, task prioritisation and use of initiative
• Knowledge of electrical/mechanical BOM structures related to electronic product assemblies, and basic PCA manufacturing processes
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP, IFS)
• Proficient in MS Office

Desirable:

• Experience with development ASICs (or semiconductor industry), the manufacturing process and sourcing routes
• CIPS Level 4 qualified or desire to work towards qualification
• Knowledge of export and trade compliance (including licensing and end user statements)
• Experience of working in Aerospace and US Contracting environment (including FARS/DFARS)
• Appreciation of AS9100 / ISO9001 processes

This role involves having access to information which is controlled under U.S. export regulations (EAR/ITAR). A separate check will need to be completed prior to employment offer.