Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.
GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.
The Procurement Manager leads operational procurement and supplier performance across UK and European suppliers supporting the Phoenix, Arizona site.
This role provides leadership, direction, and accountability for supplier performance through a team of Senior Buyers and Supplier Surveillance/Development, ensuring delivery, quality, and responsiveness are achieved through structured supplier engagement and regular on-site presence.
This is a high-impact role with clear ownership and visibility, directly influencing supplier performance, reducing operational risk, and supporting a complex, international aerospace supply chain.
We're offering this role on a remote first basis, howerver there will be an expectation for travel. This will include GKN and supplier sites nationally and internationally.
The role will report into our Phoenix, Arizona: however we are hiring in the UK to effectively operate within the European supply chain.
Supplier Ownership & Performance
• Ensure operational procurement and supplier performance across UK/EU suppliers through the team
• Provide oversight and direction on supplier strategy, engagement, and escalation
• Support critical supplier interactions and escalations when needed
• Hold the team and suppliers accountable to delivery, quality, and performance commitments
Operational Procurement Execution
• Ensure disciplined execution of purchase-to-pay processes through the team
• Oversee demand alignment, scheduling integrity, and MRP execution
• Maintain governance over procurement processes rather than direct execution
Leadership & Team Management
• Lead and develop a team of Senior Buyers responsible for day-to-day supplier management
• Set clear expectations for ownership, escalation, and performance standards
• Coach the team on supplier accountability, recovery, and commercial posture
• Act as the primary escalation point for complex or high-risk supplier issues
Essential
• Significant experience in procurement, supply chain, or operations (8–10+ years)
• Experience managing international suppliers, ideally across UK/EU
• Strong understanding of MRP-driven manufacturing environments
• Proven ability to drive supplier performance and recovery
• Leadership experience managing teams or complex supplier portfolios
• Confidence challenging suppliers and driving accountability
• Willingness and ability to travel up to ~50%; valid passport essential
Desirable
• Aerospace or regulated manufacturing experience
• MCIPS or equivalent qualification
• Experience in supplier development or recovery environments
• Strong commercial and negotiation capability
Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:
- Competitive salary dependent on experience.
- £5,500 / year car allowance.
- Industry Leading Pension Scheme = 1.5x employee contribution (max 12%).
- Up to 22.5% company bonus - indivdual and company performance related.
- Life Assurance 8 x salary.
- Income protection.
- 25 days holiday + bank holiday.
- Shopping discounts.
- Cycle To Work Scheme.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family.
- A collaborative, dynamic working environment.
We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?
We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?
A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working
Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.
We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.
We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.
