Senior Buyer (Site)

Job Summary

Join GKN Aerospace as a Senior Buyer – Make a Global Impact from the UK!

GKN Aerospace is on the lookout for a Senior Buyer based in the UK to play a pivotal role in supporting our Phoenix, Arizona operation by working directly with UK and European suppliers.

While GKN Phoenix drives a complex global supply chain with substantial annual spend across the UK and Europe. With recent OEM growth, the need for stronger supplier oversight, faster issue resolution, and proactive performance management has never been greater.

This newly created role offers a unique opportunity to lead procurement operations closer to our supplier base, enhancing delivery, quality, and responsiveness through regular on-site engagement. If you’re ready to make a tangible impact on a global stage and take ownership of supplier relationships that drive excellence, this is your chance.

How You'll Contribute

• Own operational procurement and supplier performance for assigned suppliers supporting the Phoenix site
• Act as the primary supplier interface, maintaining regular on-site presence and follow-up
• Manage purchase orders, schedules, reschedules and commercial changes in line with MRP and production demand
• Challenge suppliers constructively on delivery, responsiveness and execution
• Lead supplier recovery and corrective action activities for delivery, quality and commercial issues
• Support parts transfers, changes, and industrialization through First Article Inspection (FAI) to production
• Partner closely with procurement, quality, engineering and operations teams across regions
• Provide clear, fact-based communication on supplier risk, performance and improvement progres

What makes this role different

• High level of supplier interaction with clear ownership and accountability
• Regular travel to supplier sites to drive performance and improvement first-hand
• Direct impact on bottom line results through delivery stability, premium freight reduction and supplier capability

This is an rare opportunity to take on a senior, hands-on procurement role with real scope and influence. You’ll work closely with suppliers, have direct impact on operational performance and play a key role in supporting a fast-growing aerospace programme.

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

• Proven experience in procurement, operational, commercial and or supply chain roles (typically 5+ years)
• Experience working with a global supply chain
• Strong understanding of MRP-driven manufacturing environments
• Confidence challenging suppliers and driving corrective action
• Comfortable working across time zones with international stakeholders
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 50%

Desirable

• Aerospace or other regulated manufacturing experience
• MCIPS or equivalent professional qualification
• Experience supporting supplier performance improvement or development initiatives
• Strong commercial and negotiation capability
• Ability to interpret drawings and specifications

Onboarding & travel

• Initial onboarding in the UK, followed by 2–3 weeks in Phoenix, Arizona for on-the-job integration
• Ongoing travel to UK/EU suppliers and periodic travel to Phoenix
• International travel is required; a valid passport is essential
• All business travel expenses are covered by the company

What We Offer

Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:

• Competitive salary dependent on experience
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Flexible working hours
• 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!