Procurement Operations Manager
Date: Oct 16, 2025
Location: Bristol, GB
Company: GKN Aerospace Careers
Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.
GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.
Job Summary
It’s great to know you’re making a difference to the future of aviation! Whatever part you play you’ll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers.
At our GKN Filton site, we specialise in the design and manufacture of large complex structural wing assemblies, detailed metallic components and wing systems for a combination of both civil and military aircraft.
As the Procurement Operations Manager, you will take charge of supplier operational performance across a high-value supply chain, overseeing an impressive £50-100 million spend. Leading a team of talented operational buyers, you’ll ensure supplier deliveries meet and exceed performance expectations while championing continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and supply chain resilience. This is your chance to make a tangible impact in a dynamic, fast-paced industry.
This is a full-time (37hr week), permanent position for an individual looking to join and make a real difference, managing a team of 7 individuals.
How You'll Contribute
- Leadership & Team Development: Lead a team of operational buyers, ensuring performance excellence through training, development plans, and succession planning
- Supplier Performance Management: Drive supplier scheduling in line with Master Production Schedule (MPS), ensuring accurate demand signals to minimize shortages and excess inventory
- Operational Procurement Processes: Embed standardized procurement processes, including daily stand-up meetings, weekly KPI reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Data & Risk Management: Consolidate site-level procurement data, scorecards, inventory, and risk assessments to optimize supply chain operations
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Engage with internal stakeholders and suppliers to foster strong relationships and drive strategic alignment
- Budgetary Accountability: Oversee team budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness in procurement operations
What You'll Bring
To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and expertise/ talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:
Essential:
- A degree (or equivalent) in Business, Engineering, or Science; or in lieu of a degree 8+ years of experience in Procurement
- Proven experience in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, or Production Management
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and manage cross-functional teams
- A track record of driving performance excellence and continuous improvement
Desirable:
- Understanding of the Aerospace industry and emerging trends
- Strong analytical ability, decision-making skills, and a results-driven mindset
- Experience with Integrated Business Planning (IBP) processes and MRP/ERP systems
We are looking for people who want to make a difference, talented members with the skills and passions to become the best of the future in what they do. Procurement Operations Manager will have excellent organisational and verbal and non-verbal communication skills with positive can-do attitude. They will have the ability to work autonomously and also part of a wider team.
What We'll Offer
Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:
- Competitive salary dependant on experience
- Up to 15% Bonus
- Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis (Total contribution up to 20%)
- Life Assurance 8 x salary
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Flexible working hours including the ability to finish at 12noon on a Friday
- Income protection
- Shopping discounts
- Cycle To Work Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
- A collaborative, dynamic working environment
As well as a competitive package we’ll offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. That’s the beauty of being part of a global business, once you’re on board you never know where you career journey may take you!
We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?
A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working
Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.
We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.
We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.
