Purchasing Team Leader

On behalf of our client, we are looking for a Purchasing Team Leader to join their dynamic, fast paced and friendly team. The Purchasing Team Leader will collaborate closely with the Purchasing & Supply Chain Manager (EMEA) and the existing purchasing team to ensure an uninterrupted flow of goods into the manufacturing facility. This includes procuring goods, materials, and services to fulfil customer demands. Additionally, they will spearhead strategic material planning based on usage patterns and trends.

Role: Purchasing Team Leader
Location: Near Reading
Requirements: Initially onsite for acclimatisation, then potential for hybrid
Status: Permanent/full time
Salary: On Application

The Client:

Going strong for over a decade, the company was created to provide the utmost support for various Aircraft Safety and Survival equipment to their customers in aviation. The company is guided by its core values and continuously aims for excellence and growth, through expert customer service, quality and commitment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborates with top-tier suppliers to enhance the company’s competitive advantage.
• Emphasise cost reduction and optimal negotiation outcomes while enhancing quality and supply.
• Assesses and tracks supplier performance using standard KPIs to drive improvement.
• Manages daily material ordering and ensures timely delivery to meet supply chain needs.
• Ensures procurement practices align with company ethics and best practices.
• Monitors part usage and establishes parameters like safety stock and economic order quantities.
• Works with production teams to mitigate critical supply shortages.
• Immediately escalates perceived risks and actual non-conformities.
• Tracks work progress, material availability, and potential production issues.
• Maintains customer feedback and recommits orders to meet commitments.
• Keeps the order book dashboard updated with live ship dates and root causes for customer feedback.
• Analyse data to identify areas for performance improvement, such as cost, productivity, and demand patterns.
• Collects supply chain data to suggest cost reduction and service improvement strategies.
• Provide analysis for annual planning and budgeting, including benchmark creation.
• Develop strategies to enhance operational efficiency and contribute to continuous improvement.

Key Skills and Experience:

• 3- 5+ years in purchasing/procurement within an aircraft component supplier or an EASA 145 workshop. Open to other areas of aviation.
• Need to have experience buying piece parts, not just whole component assets.
• Leadership experience and ability to present oneself professionally in meetings and ability to communicate with senior teams.
• “Outside the box” thinker, with the flexibility and ability to work under pressure.
• Needs to be analytical, can use data, input data and review data.
• 6 Ability to plan ahead, based on experience, knowledge and the inventory data’s etc.
• Good understanding of the market and current market trends and pricing.
• A-level education minimum- CIPS certification preferred
• Proficiency in forecasting and monitoring
• Experience in relevant industries E.g. Aviation, Aerospace, automotive, industrial, Tier 1 Suppliers
• Quick adaptation to MRP systems
• Advanced MS Office Skills, especially Excel
• Strong continuous capabilities
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills across various organisational levels
• Analytical, organised, and numerically adept with strong problem-solving skills.
• Thrives in a fast paced environment.