Contacts Manager, Sr. Buyer

The North American Regional Contracts Manager and Global Commodity Senior Buyer is a position that is designed to provide contract management support for US-only supplier contracts in North America as well as Commodity Management support to select North American aerospace manufacturing sites.

The Contracts Manager is responsible for the management of GKN's new and existing contracts with suppliers for production at GKN Aerospace facilities in North America. In addition, the Contracts Manager has the responsibility to:

• Oversee and manage preparation, negotiation and signature process of GKN Indirect procurement and supply contracts with suppliers;
• Manage preparation, negotiation and signature of confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements relevant to the business requirements and strategy of the Indirect Procurement function;
• Provide relevant guidance, support and advice to the team to progress and resolve claims, queries and disputes between GKN and suppliers;
• Preparation and negotiation of GKN claim documentation, new Business Agreements (purchasing contracts) with suppliers, and Contract amendments to existing Business Agreement (purchasing contracts);
• Provide advice and guidance for the Direct Commodity Management team on general contract administration;
• Provide guidance and training for Commodity Management team on contract drafting and negotiation within the relevant scope of GKN Aerospace processes and procedures;
• Ensure contract preparation, negotiation and signature process are aligned with GKN Legal policy and is adhered to within the team;
• Hold contract reviews to progress contract negotiations.

The Commodity Senior Buyer is responsible for managing procurement expenditure as directed by the Commodity Manager, which includes:

• Maintain Strategic Relationships with existing and future Suppliers;
• Ensure procurement requirements are met on time and in accordance with the appropriate quality standards
• Deliver a highly capable and cost-effective supply base;
• Deliver cost effective solutions for the commodity and manufacturing site, and while ensuring ultimate value generation for the business;
• Support the commodity team to meet or exceed objectives related to commodities including: Cost Savings, Working capital, Quality, Supplier rationalization, low-cost sourcing and other agreed objectives;
• Support in the development of commodity strategies;
• Support and prepare the Make or Buy decisions, prepare data and plans for relevant commodity gate reviews.

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Management, Law, or related fields;
• Minimum of 5 years procurement experience, to include contract preparation, supplier management, and negotiation experience, with 3+ years in Aerospace industry preferred;
• Minimum of 2 years of experience purchasing aerospace materials, to include composite materials, metallic raw materials or machined parts, and aircraft components and systems;
• Ability to cooperate with people of different levels inside/ outside the company and to interact with team to reach team goals and business objectives;
• Ability to express information in a manner appropriate to different levels of leadership & to lead and close out negotiations;
• Proven contract management and negotiation techniques;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Must be fluent (speaking and reading) the English Language;
• Must be a US Citizen due to program security clearance requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to interact with people of different levels inside/ outside the company and to operate within a team to reach team goals and business objectives;
• Ability to empower others to achieve results through motivation, recognition and performance feedback;
• Ability to recognize, respond to customer expectations with sense of urgency;
• Ability to take full responsibility for decisions & results even when all elements are not under individual direct control;
• Experience in implementing industry leading best practices.