Do you thrive on the opportunity of having a direct influence on the direction of the business within a procurement environment?
Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements.
* Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave - enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments.
* Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more...
The opportunity: Do you thrive on the opportunity of having a direct influence on the direction of the business within a procurement environment? The Industrial Policy, Supply Chain and Procurement (ISP) organisation is responsible for procuring and managing supply chain for direct and indirect products and services for both projects and the business, with a total spend of approximately €500M per year across UK, France and Italy. As a Lead Buyer, you will be responsible for the procurement activities across a number of categories. This will mean being the focal point for multi-function teams, where you will work alongside the Category manager, Supply Chain Manager, Supplier Planners and other key stakeholders to drive procurement excellence and improvement.
Reporting to the Procurement Team Lead, you will be responsible for maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and internal project teams and functions, ensuring the best contractual terms are achieved and that future relationships with the suppliers are managed effectively. This role offers the opportunity to work in a varied and exciting environment within a dynamic team, involving complex stakeholder management and strategic sourcing to secure a supply base for new and existing requirements.
Your main responsibilities as a Lead Buyer will include:
1. Leading the contracting lifecycle across early development and production stages.
2. Utilising demand data to implement formalised pricing and flexible trading agreements.
3. Influencing and implementing MBDA Group Category strategy, working with Category Managers to pro-actively provide ideas and solutions.
4. Leading or actively participating in multifunctional and international teams to support definition and negotiation strategies for specific categories and/or projects.
5. Identification and management of risk within the supply chain.
6. Maintaining strong, effective relationships with suppliers capable of long-term effectiveness and resolution of performance issues through improvement plans.
7. Understanding budget requirements, identifying and implementing opportunities for cost reduction/avoidance through effective negotiation with suppliers to ensure MBDA's competitiveness.
8. Understanding and maintaining Key Performance Indicators for suppliers.
9. Maintaining supplier open order books and supply contracts, ensuring data is maintained and current in the SAP ERP system.
10. Facilitating Design for Manufacture sessions with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Suppliers.
11. Supporting knowledge and best practice sharing across the Senior & Lead Buyers community.
12. Actively supporting functional excellence programmes, identifying and developing areas for process improvement.
13. Providing and presenting briefs and reports for Senior Management reviews, including potential risks/issues.
Our environment is complex, challenging, and varied daily. By joining our team, you will be supported by dedicated colleagues committed to shared goals, knowledge sharing, and best practices.
You should have excellent knowledge of strategic and operational procurement processes, be a strong team player, and capable of leading your category. You will possess well-developed communication, negotiation, analytical, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. Passion for developing strategies and driving improvements to meet business needs is essential.
Qualifications include:
* Procurement and/or Supply Chain experience, managing all activities within the scope of the role, with in-depth knowledge of principles, practices, and processes.
* Strong contracting experience and capability.
* Strong commercial and financial understanding.
* Excellent communication skills for internal and external stakeholder engagement.
* Excellent negotiation and influencing skills to secure the best commercial position for MBDA.
* High computer literacy, proficient in Microsoft Office tools for analysis and communication.
* Desirable: CIPS level 4 (or working towards) or equivalent HNC/HND in Business Studies or similar.
* Desirable: understanding/experience of UK MoD Defence Conditions.
MBDA is a leading defence organization supporting armed forces worldwide. We value diversity and encourage applicants to seek support or adjustments during the recruitment process. Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Glassdoor, or visit our careers website for more info.
Salary: Circa £45,000 - £50,000 depending on experience.
Location: Stevenage/Bolton (relocation package possible).
Working pattern: Hybrid, 2 days on-site per week.
Security clearance: Must be a British Citizen or dual UK national with British citizenship. All candidates will undergo security checks post-offer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr