Job Information
Safran Purchasing Manager in Pitstone, United Kingdom
Purchasing Manager
Vacancy details
General information
Entity
Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.
Safran Electrical & Power is one of the world's leaders in aircraft electrical systems. The company is a key player in equipment electrification and in the electric and hybrid propulsion sector. It has over 14,000 employees across 13 different countries.
Reference
2026-171263
Position description
Domain
Performance and Support
Job field / Job profile
Purchasing - Commodity purchasing
Job title
Purchasing Manager
Employment type
Permanent
Professional category
Professional, Engineer & Manager
Part time / Full time
Full-time
Job description
The Purchasing Manager is responsible for the Purchasing performance and organization across the UK Power Perimeter. The role holder inputs into and ensures the deployment of Commodity strategies, defined at division level. The position is responsible for Supplier Performance and improvement plans.
MAIN ACTIVITIES:
Lead, Manage and develop the Purchasing team
Responsible and accountable for Suppliers performances (KPI : OTD, OQD, Risk management)
Responsible and accountable for deploying the Purchasing strategy : Supply base optimization, sourcing, TOW, Saving plan….
Negotiate the GTA/EA/PL in accordance with the Commodity Strategy Definition and according to business requirement
Execute the GTA/EA
Execute the Transfer Of Work - with the appropriate teams (Method, SQA, SPM,…)
Manage a regular communication flow with internal customers covering Suppliers performance status (KPI), recovery and development plans
Support the SPM team with the Supplier Risk Management (RITO), taking into consideration the key metrics (performance, dependency…)
Organize with the appropriate support, the monitoring of Suppliers progress towards the targets.
In coordination with SPM, schedule regular and executive performance reviews with suppliers. Obtain Supplier's management to commit adequate resource for performance recovery.
Facilitate improvements internally and at Suppliers (Lean sigma tools implementation, Supplier Quality Improvement Focus, Vendor Managed Inventory, EDI) to improve Supplier performance
Drive and monitor the costs related to supplier incidents and obtain adequate compensation from Suppliers.
Sustain a “Customer driven” philosophy within the Supplier organization that fosters Operational Excellence, Lean/Six-Sigma Initiatives, Continuous Improvement and Best Practice
Drive and support initiative to secure the compliance of the division's working processes to the One Safran standards
Foster training and development of the teams consistent with known best practices. Leverage available corporate and sister companies' resources to develop the team skills and maximize efficiencies and synergies.
Support the Pitstone site on any recovery efforts to ensure Operational Performance of the site.
Candidate skills & requirements
In-depth knowledge of how the Purchasing function integrates within a business direct competitor and supplier operations
Comprehensive knowledge of the aerospace industry including with experience of how a Purchasing and Supply Chain function contributes to the objectives of the business.
Experience of managing a large and diverse supply base
Experience of direct and matrix leadership and of professional experienced teams
Experience of working cross culturally and ensuring teams operating across geographical borders are aligned and working effectively together
Requires a Degree in Business, Engineering, Purchasing or related field and 10+ years purchasing negotiation experience in a fast-paced manufacturing sector such as Aerospace, Automotive, High tech, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
-Requires min 5 years management or supervisory experience working with a matrix and international team
Knowledge/Skills
• Must be an initiative taking leader with the ability to make decisions is a complex environment.
• Demonstrable negotiation skills, coupled with the ability to drive successful supplier relationships.
• Ability to identify, propose and implement strategic improvements with respect to organization, procedures, and workflows
• Strong financial acumen and analytical/controlling capability
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in using multiple large Excel/Access databases with extensive data mining
• Experienced with lean manufacturing, quality system and/or process audits
• Experienced with legal contract management
• Experienced with production and non-production related commodities negotiation
• Ability to work in a cross-functional/international business team environment
Position location
Job location
Europe, UK, England, London
City (-ies)
Pitstone