Global Commodity Senior Buyer

Global Commodity Senior Buyer

Bristol | On-site | Up to £60,000 + Strong Benefits Package

Aerospace/defence/civil

Shape global supply chains. Influence strategy. Help build the future of aerospace.

This is an opportunity for an experienced procurement professional to step into a high-impact Global Commodity Senior Buyer position within a technically advanced aerospace manufacturing environment.

You'll take ownership of significant strategic spend across Machining, Fabrications and Special Processes, working across a complex international supply chain and partnering with suppliers and internal stakeholders to deliver measurable commercial value.

The procurement function has responsibility for more than £100m of expenditure, this is a role where your procurement expertise, commercial judgement, and ability to influence will genuinely make a difference.

The Opportunity

As Global Commodity Senior Buyer, you'll help shape and execute commodity strategies across multiple sites, ensuring the supply chain can support both current operations and future business growth.

You'll combine strategic procurement, supplier management, commercial negotiation, and category expertise, working closely with engineering, operations, finance, and other key stakeholders.

This is not simply a buying role. You'll be expected to understand the market, challenge existing thinking, identify opportunities and turn strategy into tangible results.

What you'll be doing

• Develop and execute commodity strategies that maximise value and support business objectives.
• Manage significant spend across Machining, Fabrications and Special Processes.
• Analyse expenditure, cost drivers, and supply markets to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Lead strategic sourcing activity across multiple sites and business areas.
• Develop and negotiate commercial agreements and contracts with key suppliers.
• Build strong relationships with strategic suppliers while maintaining appropriate commercial leverage.
• Segment and manage the supplier base according to business requirements and strategic importance.
• Establish effective supplier governance and performance management frameworks.
• Drive measurable cost savings, value creation, and commercial improvements.
• Ensure contracts and sourcing strategies are effectively implemented across the business.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand current and future programme requirements.
• Support new business and growth opportunities by developing capable, competitive supply chains.
• Support major bids and programmes where significant commodity requirements exist.
• Monitor supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, and contractual compliance.
• Use market intelligence and supplier insight to continuously improve category strategies.

What we're looking for

We're looking for a procurement professional who combines strategic thinking with a hands-on, delivery-focused approach.

You'll ideally have:

• Around 5+ years' experience in strategic sourcing and procurement.
• Strong experience managing significant, multi-million-pound spend.
• Knowledge of relevant manufacturing categories, ideally including machining, fabrication, or special processes.
• A proven track record of delivering measurable procurement savings and commercial value.
• Strong strategic sourcing and category management capability.
• Experience negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships.
• Excellent commercial awareness and the ability to identify opportunities beyond straightforward cost reduction.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• The confidence to influence across a complex, multi-site organisation.
• A pragmatic approach and the determination to turn strategy into results.
• Experience within aerospace, advanced engineering or another technically complex manufacturing environment would be highly advantageous.
• CIPS or a relevant degree/professional qualification would be desirable.

Why join?

This is a chance to join an organisation operating at the cutt