GKN Aerospace

Buyer

GKN Aerospace  •  Alabama (Onsite)  •  1 hour ago
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Job Description

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 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

The Buyer (Site) is responsible for the local commercial management of assigned suppliers and non-strategic sourcing activities within a designated manufacturing site or defined geographic area. This role supports procurement operations by ensuring materials and services are sourced competitively and in alignment with established commodity strategies, business objectives, and customer requirements.

The Buyer manages supplier performance related to cost, quality, and delivery, supports supplier transitions and industrialization activities, and serves as a key interface between site operations, program teams, and commodity management. The position is accountable for maintaining procurement data integrity, supporting cost reduction initiatives, mitigating supplier risk, and ensuring compliance with applicable contractual, export control, and regulatory requirements.

Job Responsibilities

  • Procurement & Sourcing

    • Execute local sourcing activities in accordance with approved commodity and procurement strategies.
    • Support supplier selection activities, including RFQ/RFP processes, utilizing e-sourcing tools and established procurement procedures.
    • Implement and support global and regional supplier agreements within the assigned geographic area.
    • Manage purchasing activities to ensure achievement of cost, quality, and delivery objectives.
    • Negotiate and manage procurement arrangements, including transitions from purchase orders to scheduling agreements, consignment programs, and other supply models.

    Supplier Management & Industrialization

    • Coordinate and manage supplier and part transfers, including industrialization activities for minor transfer programs through First Article Inspection (FAI) approval.
    • Support major supplier and part transfer initiatives in partnership with Commodity Management and cross-functional stakeholders.
    • Monitor supplier performance and proactively address delivery, quality, cost, and contractual issues.
    • Serve as an escalation point for supplier-related commercial and contractual concerns, collaborating with Senior Buyers and Commodity Managers as required.
    • Support supplier development plans and continuous improvement initiatives.

    Program & Operational Support

    • Act as the procurement interface between site operations, program teams, and commodity management for sourcing initiatives and engineering change programs.
    • Report procurement activity and participate in site reviews to ensure alignment with business objectives.
    • Manage site procurement change control activities and ensure compliance with applicable export control regulations, including ITAR requirements.
    • Maintain the integrity and accuracy of procurement-related data, including Bills of Material (BOMs), item records, and contract information.
    • Ensure supplier receipt of customer-enabled materials, pricing updates, and demand forecasts.

    Risk, Compliance & Financial Management

    • Assess and manage supplier risk using established tools and methodologies, including supplier readiness assessments and financial risk monitoring.
    • Manage raw material inventory levels for purchased components in alignment with program requirements and production schedules.
    • Resolve supplier invoice discrepancies related to pricing and purchasing transactions.
    • Ensure compliance with internal procurement policies, contractual obligations, and applicable aerospace and defense regulations.

Job Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent required.
  • Minimum of two (2) years of experience in Supply Chain, Procurement, or Purchasing.
  • Minimum of one (1) year of experience in a Buyer or similar procurement role.
  • Experience purchasing direct materials, including composites and machined or formed metal components.
  • Proven ability to read, write, and communicate effectively.
  • Must be authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident due to program security clearance and/or regulatory requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related field.
  • Experience within the Aerospace and Defense industry, including familiarity with FAR and DFARS requirements.
  • Knowledge of supplier development, strategic sourcing, and procurement best practices.
  • Experience supporting complex manufacturing or production environments.
  • Demonstrated project management and process improvement experience.
  • Experience implementing cost reduction initiatives and supplier performance improvement programs.
  • Understanding of procurement compliance, export controls, and contractual risk management.

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. ​
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GKN Aerospace

About GKN Aerospace

GKN Aerospace is the world’s leading multi-technology tier 1 aerospace supplier, with a mission to be the most trusted and sustainable partner in the sky. As a global company serving the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, GKN Aerospace designs, manufactures and delivers an extensive range of advanced aerospace systems, components and technologies – for use in commercial and defense aircraft ranging from helicopters, business jets, passenger planes and advanced air mobility vehicles to the most advanced fighter aircraft. In line with its mission, GKN Aerospace is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Lightweight composites, additive manufacturing, electrical wiring interconnection systems and innovative engine systems help to reduce emissions and weight on today’s aircraft, while it collaborates with global partners to accelerate the development of zero-emission aircraft technologies, including hydrogen-powered propulsion and all-electric flight. GKN Aerospace is market leading in aerostructures and engine systems, with 16,000 employees across its 36 manufacturing locations in 12 countries.

Industry
Aviation & Aerospace
Company Size
5,001-10,000 employees
Headquarters
Birmingham, GB
Year Founded
Unknown
Website
gknaerospace.com
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