UK Commodity Manager

UK Commodity Manager Wolverhampton, West Midlands

Safran - Here, we craft excellence together.

Safran Actuation Systems UK is a world‑class centre for the design, manufacture and support of actuation and flight‑control solutions used across commercial, military and rotary platforms. With major sites in Wolverhampton and Banbury, our teams play a critical role in delivering innovative, reliable and safe systems that keep aircraft performing at their best.

Our UK Actuation business brings together engineering excellence, advanced manufacturing capability and a proud heritage within the aerospace sector. Whether supporting major global programmes or developing the next generation of actuation technologies, our people are at the heart of everything we do.

As part of Safran's global network, joining Safran Actuation Systems UK means becoming part of a highly skilled, collaborative and forward‑thinking team with opportunities to grow, innovate and make a meaningful impact in the future of aerospace.

Your role:

The Commodity Manager is accountable for the commercial performance, contractual coverage, and strategic relationship management of a defined portfolio of global suppliers supporting the Wolverhampton and Banbury manufacturing facilities. This high-impact role focuses on driving total cost reduction, defining forward-thinking sourcing roadmaps, and conducting legal and commercial negotiations to ensure optimal supply resilience and margin preservation.

As a key role within the team, you'll be empowered & accountable to drive the business forward, owning and resolving strategic issues, driving improvements forward, whilst communicating progress to stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Define and execute commodity strategy. Develop multi-year lifecycle strategies for the assigned portfolio (e.g., Machining, Casting, Forging, or Raw Materials) aligned with Safran's global commodity team Supplier panel management, rationalise, shape, and manage the supplier panel base to balance risk, optimise commercial leverage, and meet future technology needs Market trend analysis, actively monitor macro-market conditions, geopolitical supply risks, and raw material index shifts to safeguard the site against inflationary spikes Contract negotiation and enforcement. Draft, validate, and execute complex Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) and price frameworks Drive cost-saving initiatives. Own the total cost of ownership (TCO) savings funnel, leveraging tools such as benchmarking, cost-modelling, and value engineering Bid Support, execute detailed cost analysis and pricing projections to support incoming Civil and Military project bids Lead quarterly business reviews (QBRs). Convene and lead formal performance reviews with executive-level supplier leadership, bridging systemic gaps in delivery or commercial alignment Understand the supplier impact to site and create an exit strategy if a supplier is systemically a poor performer What You'll Bring:

Proven strategic purchasing background managing complex technical portfolios like machining, castings, forgings, or raw aerospace materials Demonstrable experience structuring high-value, legally binding contracts and commercial frameworks Proven ability to navigate matrix structures and build consensus between engineering, operations, finance, and quality Proficient in translating raw spend datasets, cost-breakdowns, and industry trends into clear strategic directions Here, we craft excellence together.

We understand that diversity and inclusion make teams stronger. We are committed to fair and equitable employment practices for everyone.

We know that some candidates may be put off applying for jobs where they don't meet 100% of the criteria outlined in the advert. We encourage anybody to apply if you can demonstrate a variety of skills and experience relevant to the requirements of this role.

Please let us know if you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to the hiring process that may better facilitate your participation