Lead Buyer Acro Aircraft Seating is one of the UK’s leading and fastest-growing manufacturers of passenger seats for commercial airlines around the world. We are an agile, innovative business at the forefront of disrupting the aerospace market. Through modern methodologies, lean techniques, inspired innovation, and passion for being the best, Acro is positioning itself to be the world’s leading aircraft seating supplier. Collaboration is one of Acro’s core values, by working together and applying our skills and expertise across Sales, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Operations, we find the solutions to our clients’ most complex challenges and how we deliver our promises today and tomorrow. Location: UK Salary: Competitive EXCELLENT BENEFITS 25 days holiday bank holidays Pension Healthcare scheme Life assurance Employee Assistance Programme Retail discounts Training opportunities 37.5 hours per week – 1 pm finish on a Friday Hybrid working To be successful in this position, you will have/be; Assist in the implementation of the supply chain governance strategy to meet business goals Be an active contributor, consultant, and decision maker in Strategic NPD, Operational, Sales & Spares regarding the design, Manufacture & Supply of seats and parts Lead, manage and develop your team in line with company policy, procedures, and value Hold regular and one-to-one meetings to ensure clear communication and robust performance. Identify cost-saving and value-adding opportunities. Reduce material costs, lead time and logistical costs while maintaining quality and delivery Reduce inventory holding, associated transactional costs and E&O Partner with the parent company to produce efficiencies in sourcing strategy. Ensuring a robust, transparent RFQ process is adhered to for the award of parts based on the best total acquisition cost and concurrent with our supplier selection, transfer of work and supplier rationalisation criteria Ensure OTIF to system required date is met and managed Support your buyers with issues & escalations and for resolving high-level or critical issues Ensure data within the MRP database is accurate and considers the interface with other functions Optimise efficiency opportunities and adopt lean methods of supplying parts to production Develop and maintain a system to measure/match supply chain capacity to forecasted demand Working with the quality dept, implement a supplier development strategy; embed a selection and performance management process, ensuring quality standards are upheld and improved for all incoming materials, and engineering queries and implementation of engineering changes are handled effectively Identify suppliers at multiple tiers and support validation of capacity, capability, components, cost opportunities and ability to conform to standards such as AS9100 ISO9001 Provide the SDE function with suitable escalation points for resolving high-level or critical issues Provide an effective supply chain to the prototype and certification stages of the NPD/NPI process Contribute to concurrent engineering of parts considering cost, availability, make vs buy, lessons learnt, supplier feedback, rate readiness and repeatability of production/volume considerations in meeting quality expectations Skills and Experience Required Demonstratable leadership skills that ensure supply chain alignment across the wider business, which empowers and motivates while inspiring confidence and respect from others Significant relevant experience within a progressive manufacturing environment Effective time management skills and adept at multi-tasking and changing priorities Broad commodity expertise & knowledge is relevant to aerospace seat builds. Including soft trim, fabrics, packaging, consumables, fasteners, machining, extrusions, composites, and plastics Relevant experience in the negotiation and implementation of legal contracts relating to purchase agreements, long-term agreements, and specific vendor-managed inventory agreements Fully conversant with ERP/MRP systems and inventory control processes Good interpersonal skills are necessary to deal at the highest levels of commercial supplier organisations, to influence internally and negotiate externally with suppliers Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, VA/VE, problem-solving tools and components of a lean/continuous improvement work environment Knowledge of auditing practices within the function Ability to present data effectively at all levels of the business A clean and current driving License is required Occasional requirement for business travel required Requirement to work outside of core hours, dependent on business needs CIPS accreditation or a relevant related degree, dependent on industry experience The Parent Company of ACRO Aircraft Seating is Zhejiang Tiancheng Controls Co., Ltd headquartered in China. We really want to hear from you, so don’t miss your opportunity to join us Once you apply, your CV will be held on our central database. Please do let us know if you do not wish for us to retain your details. If your application is successful, you will be contacted in due course. Acro Aircraft Seating is an equal opportunities employer. Please view our website for access to our Job Applicant Privacy Notice. The closing date for applications is 10 January 2025. Please note: This advert may close early if sufficient applications are received. Acro Aircraft Seating uses reserve lists for positions where more than one candidate is deemed suitable for a position. Reserve lists are in place for 12 months, during which time reserve candidates may be offered the same or similar post should one become available.