Global Commodity Buyer - Direct Material

GKN Aerospace•Westlake, TX

23h•Remote

About The Position

The Commodity Buyer / Senior Buyer manages procurement expenditure as directed by the Commodity Manager and maintains strategic relationships with current and future suppliers. The role ensures requirements are met on time and to appropriate quality standards, develops a capable and cost-effective supply base, and implements the commodity procurement strategy. It supports commodity management teams and other Supply Chain functions as needed, with increasing autonomy at senior level. The role aligns commodity strategy with site and programme requirements to generate value for the business, and supports commodity management projects across GKN Aerospace. Focus areas include strategic sourcing for Machining, Fabrications and Special Processing and maximizing direct-material leverage across the global network. This role is remote.

Requirements

At least 3 years of Commodity Management or commodity experience.
Ability to interact with people at different levels inside and outside the company and work within a team to achieve team goals and business objectives.
Ability to empower others through motivation, recognition, and performance feedback.
Ability to communicate appropriately with different audiences and lead and close negotiations.
Ability to recognize and respond to customer expectations with a sense of urgency.
Ability to take responsibility for decisions and results, including when not all elements are under individual control.

Nice To Haves

Two to three years of experience in the aerospace industry preferred (the posting text reads “23-3 5 years”).
GKN Aerospace experience.
Ability to set goals consistent with company objectives and adapt plans to a changing environment.
Experience implementing industry-leading best practices.
Ability to motivate and coordinate in a multifunctional environment.
Ability to manage diverse projects.
Strong communication skills, including first-class reporting techniques.
Commercial, negotiation, and financial skills.
Business consciousness and business ethics.
Influence and persuasiveness.
Risk management and decision-making skills.
Responsibility and interpersonal sensitivity.

Responsibilities

Manage procurement expenditure as directed by the Commodity Manager and maintain strategic relationships with existing and future suppliers.
Ensure requirements are fulfilled on time and in accordance with appropriate quality standards, while supporting a capable and cost-effective supply base.
Implement the commodity procurement strategy and support commodity management teams and other Supply Chain functions.
Align commodity strategy with site and programme requirements to generate value for the business.
Support strategic sourcing for Machining, Fabrications and Special Processing to maximize direct-material leverage.
Support the commodity team in meeting objectives for cost savings, economics, working capital, quality, supplier rationalization, low-cost sourcing, and other agreed goals.
Take leadership of commodity activities when required, coordinating with costing and engineering to create competitive advantage.
Support development of commodity strategies and efforts in supplier-base rationalization and supplier development.
Prepare Make-or-Buy decisions, supporting data, and plans for commodity gate reviews.
Leverage synergies across the GKN global network.
Build RFI/RFP packs and work with Cost Analysts and Manufacturing Engineering to test value for money.
Support commodity management projects for the wider GKN Aerospace business and relevant sites and programmes.
Develop procurement expertise.