Senior Buyer – Strategic Sourcing (Aerospace)

About the role

The Senior Buyer – Strategic Sourcing is a hands‑on, execution‑focused position responsible for sourcing, supplier selection and contract management of structures, avionics or systems components across aerospace programmes. The role works closely with engineering, program, operations, quality, finance and legal teams to drive cost optimisation, supply continuity and risk mitigation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end strategic sourcing for the assigned category, including components, assemblies, materials and sub‑systems.
• Develop and implement category sourcing strategies such as supplier rationalisation, dual sourcing and localisation programmes.
• Conduct market intelligence, supplier benchmarking and make‑or‑buy analyses.
• Manage supplier selection, RFQs/RFPs and commercial evaluations.
• Negotiate high‑value contracts, long‑term and framework agreements aligned with production and cost objectives.
• Monitor supplier performance, KPIs, QBRs and drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with engineering and program teams on design‑to‑cost, material selection and technical optimisation.
• Identify and mitigate category‑specific supply‑chain risks to ensure continuity of critical items.
• Support localisation and supplier development aligned with national industrial strategies.
• Ensure procurement governance, compliance and accurate contract traceability.
• Participate in process improvement, sourcing digitalisation and ERP optimisation initiatives.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, procurement, aerospace/mechanical engineering, industrial management or related field.
• Master’s degree or professional certifications (CIPS, CPSM, PMP) preferred.
• At least 12 years of strategic sourcing or procurement experience in aerospace or regulated industries.
• Proven hands‑on experience in supplier negotiations, contract drafting and administration of high‑value, complex, long‑term contracts.
• Experience with industrialisation, localisation and supplier development programmes.
• Background in regulated, production‑critical and compliance‑driven environments.

Required skills