L3Harris

Job Title:  Buyer

Job Location:  UK – Crawley - West Sussex

Job ID: 10748

About this opportunity and L3Harris UK

From 12 UK sites, our team of over 1,400 people deliver unique capabilities across air, land, sea, space and cyber for military, security and commercial customers, worldwide.

L3Harris Training Systems play a key role on delivering the L3Harris Commercial Aviation Solutions mantra of ‘Creating Safer Skies’. From our computer-based solutions all the way to our state-of-the-art Full Flight Simulators (FFS), improving the training experiencing and creating safer skies is at the heart of everything we do. Our Fixed Training Devices (FTD) and FFS feature aircraft-specific flight decks, offering the form, fit, feel, and function of the actual aircraft.

As a result of continued expansion and to support the current market conditions, we are seeking a dynamic Buyer to work closely with the CTS Purchasing team.
We are looking for a confident Buyer who understands the key Supply Chain strategies and can manage the timely placing of Purchase Orders and Supplier deliveries accordingly, to meet business requirements.

This role will also be instrumental in supporting our internal customers in the Commercial teams, Engineering, Planning, Production, Programme Management, Finance, Customer Service etc., through communication of Supplier’s delivery status.

In addition, they will serve larger projects and transitions on behalf of the organization inclusive of Suppliers in the US, Europe and Asia.

Our benefits include:

• Hybrid working where possible
• 25 days holiday per year (plus bank holidays), increasing with long service and with the opportunity to buy/sell up to 5 days
• Private medical insurance with optional family cover
• Pension scheme of up to 7% employer contribution
• Life Assurance 4x salary (flexible up to 10x)
• Group income protection
• Flexible opt-in extras such as a health care cash plan, dental insurance, gym membership, critical illness cover and cycle to work scheme
• Employee assistance program providing mental health and wellbeing support
• Subsidised staff restaurant  
• Staff car park incl. electric vehicle charging stations

Day to day responsibilities will include:

• Working with the company’s ERP System (SAP), this role is responsible for RFQ creation & submittals, PREQ to PO conversions, Supplier correspondence regarding status inquiries, expediting & general project coordination.
• Managing a dedicated Supplier list and being responsible for PREQ to PO conversion, taking ownership for Open Purchase Orders and overdue POs, ‘Place and chase’ orders where appropriate and be able to prioritize work-load on a daily basis.
• You will be expected to attend / host daily, weekly & monthly meetings to support information flows to our internal customers. This includes reporting on accurate and up to date Supplier status and performance on individual line items & top line summaries.
• As the main interface between L3Harris and the Supplier, you will take ownership and continually strive to improve Supplier performance through internal feedback and, a close working relationship with Suppliers and play a leading role in the resolution of Supplier performance/delivery concerns.
• Our Buyers responsibilities also include supporting cost reduction activities, revenue planning, data management, identifying engineering solutions for alternative parts, forecasting & bids support, & reporting.
• Although this role is autonomous, you will also work closely with the team of Buyers, Category Managers and Purchasing Manager.
• Where necessary, develop strategies with the Buyers / Category Managers to achieve best value when it comes to placing business with existing Suppliers, new manufacturers or distribution sources. 

 Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications:

• Experience in managing internal and external supply requirements in a low quantity, high complexity industrial sector.  
• Proactive “can-do” outlook, driven to set and meet deadlines to support the business.
• Demonstrate a high level of autonomy but can also work well as part of a wider team.
  • Demonstrate planning and time management skills and be a resourceful team player.
  • Excellent interfacing and communication skills, ability to influence people across the team, business, and Supplier base.
  • Strong track record in Supply Chain gained over at least 3 years.
  • Understanding and previous experience using ERP systems (SAP) is highly desirable.

• Be comfortable working in a data-driven environment, where much of the work includes spreadsheet manipulation and a high degree of accuracy.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• An understanding of contracts, materials and technologies employed in an aerospace or large systems environment is an advantage.
• Ability to evaluate and improve internal and external processes within sourcing and, the wider business.
  • Driving Licence (Preferred) – some travel may be required.
  • Experience of working in a cross-functional team helpful.
  • CIPS qualified or working towards is an advantage.

Please note: All candidates who wish to be considered for this vacancy must have the right to work in the UK.