Role: Senior Sourcing Specialist
Location: Cheltenham
Duration: 12 months
Rate: DOE
Inside IR35: Umbrella
About our client
Our client is a leading aerospace engineering company specializing in jet engines, avionics, and integrated systems for both military and commercial aircraft. They operate major UK facilities, including maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sites.
Role Summary
This 12‑month assignment combines commodity management, supplier execution, and NPI sourcing strategy into a single role.
The Senior Lead Sourcing Specialist - Commodity
* Manage and optimise a defined supplier panel and commodity portfolio
* Lead key negotiations, LTAs, EBQ structures, and commercial frameworks for both existing and new programs
* Drive supplier recovery and performance improvement to protect safety, quality, delivery, and cost
* Act as a key interface between Programs, Engineering, Operations, and suppliers to align sourcing strategy with business needs
The role requires an in-depth understanding of sourcing, strong commercial and analytical skills, and the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and suppliers.
Key Responsibilities (Combined Role - 12‑Month Focus)
Commodity Strategy & Supplier Panel Management
* Define and execute supplier/commodity strategy, including management and optimisation in line with business and program needs.
* Lead supplier selection and allocation of demand across the panel, ensuring capacity, capability, and competitiveness.
* Negotiate commercial terms, pricing, and T&Cs, and ensure clear handover of information to Procurement/Buyers.
* Manage claims and commercial disputes, resolving issues in a way that protect our client's interests while maintaining key relationships.
NPI Sourcing Strategy, LTAs, and EBQ
* Architect and own NPI LTA strategies for key suppliers, including commercial structures, pricing mechanisms, indexation, risk‑sharing, and volume commitments aligned to program cost, schedule, and cash objectives.
* Design and deploy EBQ protocols and replenishment logic (MOQ, min/max, safety stock) that balance inventory, cash, capacity, and obsolescence risk.
* Integrate LTA and EBQ structures into MRP/planning parameters in partnership with Materials, Planning, and Finance.
* Deliver LTAs and EBQ frameworks, leading regular reviews with suppliers and stakeholders and driving corrective actions where demand, pricing, or service deviates from plan.
Supplier Performance, Delivery & Recovery
* Own day‑to‑day performance management and execution for assigned suppliers and commodities, including PO placement, acknowledgements, expedites, and reschedules.
* Lead recovery plans for distressed suppliers, ensuring robust visibility of WIP, orderbook, and risk; prevent line‑stops and protect customer deliveries.
* Work closely with Quality, Engineering, Operations, and Programs to resolve constraints and ensure suppliers meet quality and delivery expectations.
Stakeholder Management & Cross‑Functional Leadership
* Work across Programs, Engineering, Operations, Finance, and Commodity Management to align sourcing decisions with program needs and commodity strategy.
* Influence make/buy, specification, and supplier selection decisions to ensure design‑for‑manufacture and alignment with strategic suppliers.
* Provide informal guidance/coaching to Lead Sourcing Specialists and Buyers, sharing best practices on negotiation, LTAs, EBQ, and supplier management.
Governance, Data Integrity & Continuous Improvement
* Ensure compliance with our client's policies, processes, and applicable regulations, including any export control and ethical sourcing requirements.
* Maintain accurate data in sourcing and ERP systems (pricing, lead times, supplier parameters, order status).
* Utilise technical expertise and analytic thinking to solve complex commercial and supply problems, using multiple internal and external sources as needed.
* Support or lead continuous improvement projects within Sourcing (e.g., process simplification, standard work, analytics).
Required Qualifications
Advanced experience in Sourcing & Commodity Management (and/or New Product Sourcing), at a level comparable to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college, or a high school diploma with relevant experience.
Desired Characteristics
* Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to influence cross‑functional leaders (Programs, Engineering, Finance, Operations).
* Demonstrated ability to analyse and resolve complex problems, including commercial trade‑offs, supplier risk, and program constraints.
* Ability to document, plan, market, and execute sourcing programs, including LTAs, EBQ deployments, and supplier transitions.
* Established project management skills, capable of leading cross‑functional initiatives and driving actions to closure.
* Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills, with proven experience in leading complex supplier negotiations and relationships.
* Ability to coach and mentor less experienced sourcing professionals.
Level and Reporting
* Likely an individual contributor role with significant influence and exposure; provides informal guidance to other team members.
Please apply if you want to join a global Aerospace/Aviation organisation!
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