SC Cleared Senior Sub-Contract Buyer - Defence & Aerospace

Project overview

We are seeking an experienced SC Cleared Senior Sub-Contract Buyer to support a major defence and aerospace programme, managing subcontract commitments, supplier relationships and procurement activities within a complex engineering and manufacturing environment.

Working within a Matrix organisation, you will collaborate with project teams, engineering, procurement and suppliers to ensure contractual commitments are met, supply risks are managed, and materials and services are delivered in line with programme requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Essential Skills & Experience

Desirable

If you have strong commercial procurement experience and can manage complex supplier relationships while protecting programme delivery, we would be keen to hear from you.

• Manage subcontract procurement activities, including production material purchase orders and outsourced services.
• Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with project and business requirements.
• Draft and negotiate commercial contracts, RFQs, specifications and Statements of Work.
• Manage supplier commitments, delivery schedules and performance, escalating risks that could affect production continuity.
• Monitor on-time delivery performance, analyse delivery slippages and drive corrective actions with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Resolve production material supply issues, including invoice discrepancies, supplier concessions, returns and quality-related matters.
• Maintain accurate purchase order and supplier documentation within SAP to support audit and business processes.
• Identify and mitigate commercial, contractual, supply chain and export compliance risks.
• Work cross-functionally to manage requirements, contractual flow-downs, obsolescence and life cycle considerations.
• Provide procurement plans, reporting and supply chain information to support programme delivery.
• Significant experience in subcontract buying, procurement or supply chain management within defence, aerospace, engineering or a similar regulated industry.
• Strong commercial contract negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Experience managing purchase orders, supplier commitments and delivery performance.
• Understanding of procurement processes, contractual risk and commercial/legal considerations.
• Experience drafting RFQs, contract documentation and Statements of Work.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• SAP or equivalent ERP system experience.
• Excellent organisation and priority management skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Experience in high-volume manufacturing or production environments.
• Knowledge of materials requirements planning (MRP), bills of materials (BoM) and obsolescence management.
• Experience procuring outsourced services, including software, training or professional services.
• Understanding of defence/aerospace export compliance and third-party rights.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent relevant experience; MCIPS qualification or progress towards it is advantageous.

Project details

• Start: TBC/ASAP
• Duration: Oct 2027
• Location: Luton, 4 days on site, UK, GB
• Rate: 30-30 EUR/h