Global Commodity Senior Buyer - Direct Material

GKN Aerospace is looking for a Global Commodity Senior Buyer - Direct Material to join the Global Commodity Team based in Papendrecht.

You’ll be responsible for the end-to-end management of suppliers, including leading sourcing strategy, supplier sourcing and onboarding, supplier performance, and purchasing negotiations. You’ll have a strong focus on managing a portfolio of suppliers to reduce risk and optimise cost.

You’ll work within the Global Commodity Team in Papendrecht, collaborating with Site Procurement and stakeholders to deliver cost-effective solutions, contributing to value generation across GKN Aerospace globally and shaping the future aerospace supply chain.

Job Summary

Due to continued success and ambitious growth plans, this role supports strategic sourcing for the relevant commodity to maximize leverage of direct material, reporting to the Global Commodity Manager.

Job Responsibilities

• Support strategic sourcing for the relevant commodity to maximize leverage of direct material, reporting to the Global Commodity Manager.
• Support the commodity team to meet or exceed objectives related to commodities including cost savings, economics, working capital, quality, supplier rationalization, low-cost sourcing and other agreed objectives.
• Take leadership when required for commodity activities in coordination with costing and engineering to drive a competitive advantage for GKN Aerospace.
• Support the development of commodity strategies.
• Ensure self-development in the field of procurement.
• Support and prepare make-or-buy decisions, and prepare data and plans for relevant commodity gate reviews.
• Support efforts concerning supply base rationalization and supplier development.
• Ensure leveraging synergies across the GKN global network.
• Build RFI/RFP packs and work with Cost Analysts / ME to test value for money.

Job Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business economics, Supply Chain Management, or related fields.
• A minimum of 5 years of tactical/strategic procurement in direct material; experience in the aerospace industry is a plus.
• Must be fluent in spoken and written English.
• As this is a global role, there is a requirement to travel abroad on a regular basis (max 25%).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong ability to collaborate across all levels, internally and externally, to achieve team and business goals.
• Proven capability to motivate, empower, and collaborate effectively.
• Clear and adaptable communicator, able to lead and conclude negotiations.
• Flexible, customer-focused mindset with a strong sense of urgency.
• Willingness to take full ownership of decisions and outcomes.
• Experience applying industry best practices.
• Demonstrated success in strategy deployment.
• Solid project management skills.
• Ability to perform in a dynamic environment, quickly adapting and reprioritizing to keep momentum and deliver results.

What's in it for you?

Besides an innovative and international work environment that offers a good work-life balance, GKN Aerospace offers opportunities to learn and grow, pension plan, 29 vacation days, 13 ADV days, and travel allowance.