Procurement Specialist (Aviation & Defence)
Confidential Client | Regulated Engineering Environment
Up to 50k Plus Package
The Opportunity
We are partnering with a specialist aviation and defence organisation to appoint a Procurement Specialist to support critical maintenance and engineering operations.
This role sits within a highly regulated, safety-critical environment and will play a key part in ensuring aircraft parts, tooling, and services are sourced compliantly, efficiently, and in line with programme delivery requirements.
The successful candidate will combine strong operational procurement capability with regulatory awareness and commercial discipline.
The Role
Working closely with engineering, maintenance, and programme stakeholders, you will be responsible for executing procurement activity that enables on-time and on-budget aircraft maintenance delivery.
You will ensure that all sourcing activity complies with relevant aviation regulatory frameworks and internal governance standards, while maintaining effective supplier relationships and cost control.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement & Sourcing
- Source aircraft parts, materials, tooling, and specialist services in line with operational demand.
- Ensure all procurement activity complies with applicable aviation regulations and company procedures.
- Obtain competitive quotations, negotiate pricing, and manage purchase orders.
- Monitor lead times and proactively manage supply risks.
Supplier Management
- Maintain strong relationships with OEMs, distributors, and approved suppliers.
- Track supplier performance against quality, cost, and delivery KPIs.
- Support supplier audits and ensure documentation integrity.
- Escalate and resolve supply chain issues, including urgent AOG requirements where necessary.
Compliance & Governance
- Ensure accurate record keeping and traceability of aviation materials.
- Support audit readiness within the Approved Maintenance Organisation environment.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across procurement processes.
- Uphold high standards of ethical and compliant procurement practice.
Commercial & Operational Support
- Support budget control through cost analysis and value optimisation.
- Provide procurement input into programme planning and bid activity when required.
- Work collaboratively across engineering, finance, and operational teams.
Experience & Background
Essential
- Experience in procurement or supply chain within aviation, aerospace, defence, or similarly regulated engineering sectors.
- Understanding of aviation materials management and regulatory compliance.
- Strong negotiation and supplier management capability.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced operational environment.
- Eligible to obtain UK security clearance (SC level).
Desirable
- Experience within an Approved Maintenance Organisation.
- Knowledge of ISO management systems within aviation.
- CIPS qualification (or working towards).
Personal Profile
- Detail-oriented and compliance-focused.
- Commercially aware with strong organisational skills.
- Confident communicator able to engage technical stakeholders.
- Proactive, resilient, and solution-driven.
- High levels of integrity and professionalism.