The Supply Chain Manager (Purchasing Focus) is responsible for leading and optimising all purchasing and supplier management activities within the aerospace manufacturing supply chain. This role ensures that all materials, components, and services are procured to meet cost, quality, and delivery targets in compliance with aerospace industry standards (AS9100, ITAR, etc.). The ideal candidate will combine deep purchasing expertise with strong leadership, analytical, and supplier relationship management skills to support production, new product introduction, and long-term strategic sourcing goals.
Key Responsibilities:
Procurement & Supplier Management
- Develop, implement, and manage the purchasing strategy to support production schedules and new program launches.
- Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers based on quality, cost, delivery, and compliance criteria.
- Negotiate long-term agreements, pricing, and terms with key suppliers to optimise total cost of ownership.
- Establish and monitor supplier performance metrics (OTD, PPM, responsiveness, and risk).
- Manage supplier development and corrective actions to ensure continuous improvement and compliance with aerospace standards.
- Maintain an approved supplier list and ensure all suppliers meet regulatory and quality requirements (AS9100, NADCAP, ITAR, DFARS, etc.).
Materials & Inventory Management
- Collaborate with production planning, engineering, and quality to ensure on-time material availability and minimise inventory exposure.
- Forecast demand for critical components and raw materials in coordination with the planning team.
- Implement MRP/ERP-based purchasing and inventory control best practices.
- Optimise inventory levels to balance working capital efficiency and production continuity.
Strategic Sourcing & Cost Management
- Lead cost-reduction initiatives through supplier consolidation, process improvements, and strategic sourcing.
- Conduct make-or-buy analyses and total cost of ownership evaluations.
- Benchmark market trends, raw material costs, and supplier capabilities to identify risks and opportunities.
- Participate in budgeting and financial planning processes related to material costs and purchasing performance.
Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure compliance with all applicable aerospace, export control, and ethical sourcing regulations (ITAR, EAR, DFARS, REACH, RoHS).
- Mitigate supply chain risk through dual sourcing, long-term agreements, and supplier contingency planning.
- Maintain proper documentation and traceability for all purchased parts and materials.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of buyers and procurement specialists.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement and accountability within the supply chain organisation.
- Collaborate closely with engineering, production, quality, and finance teams to align purchasing priorities with company goals.
- Support new product development by sourcing materials and suppliers during design and prototyping phases.
Qualifications:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field.
- MBA or professional certification (e.g., CPSM, CSCP, PMP) preferred.
Experience:
- 7+ years of progressive experience in purchasing, supply chain, or materials management roles within aerospace or other high-precision manufacturing industries.
- Proven experience managing complex supplier networks and contracts in a regulated environment.
- Demonstrated success in cost reduction, supplier performance improvement, and ERP-driven procurement.
- Skills & Competencies:
- Strong knowledge of aerospace quality and regulatory requirements (AS9100, ITAR, DFARS).
- Expertise in negotiation, contract management, and supplier relationship management.
- Proficiency in MRP/ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Epicor, Oracle, Infor).
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven manufacturing environment.
Performance Indicators:
- On-Time Delivery (OTD) performance from suppliers
- Cost savings and cost avoidance achieved
- Supplier quality and defect rates (PPM)
- Inventory turns and material availability
- Compliance audit results (AS9100, ITAR, etc.)
- Internal stakeholder satisfaction
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