Procurement Programme Manager

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Date: Sep 11, 2026

Location: East Cowes, GB

Company: GKN Aerospace Careers

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 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

Based in our thriving manufacturing centre of excellence, and reporting into the Site Procurement Director, the post holder will be responsible for effectively leading, developing, and coordinating a team of Procurement Project Managers, Buyers and Senior Buyers who in turn are responsible for the successful planning and execution of Procurement related Transfers, Projects and New Programme Introduction (NPI) within the Cowes site. To ensure that all aspects of project deliverables are achieved in accordance with agreed delivery, cost (RC & NRC) & quality requirements and in-line with the approved transfer of work gate process.

Due to the nature of our business, and the fact that this is a fairly small, niche team, there will be a strong expectation that the post holder will be required to “muck in” as and when required, to ensure that all aspects of project deliverables are achieved in accordance with their agreed delivery, cost (RC & NRC) & quality requirements through the approved transfer of work gate process.

As part of the role, and when the job dictates, be required to travel to, and work at, other company premises and supplier sites on the UK mainland and abroad.

Job Responsibilities

• Leading and developing a high performing team;
• Accountable for all Procurement transfer of work projects (Minor & Major transfers).
• Accountable for the Procurement Projects interface into Site Programmes (Business Lines). Managing both internal and external customers.
• Responsible for the Programme Supplier Selection RFQ’s with the use of e-sourcing tools.
• Responsible for continuously monitoring the performance of Transfer Projects, managing off-track items and reporting progress through the BR4 Process.
• Accountable for Programme/Project Change Control.
• Actively executes Risk, Issue and Opportunity Management to control and mitigate the risk exposure and take advantage of opportunities on all transfer of work projects.
• To build positive and mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers to ensure overall customer satisfaction is achieved.
• Act as primary point of escalation for any active project.
• Responsible for the maintenance of the Project Register (in conjunction to SAVE).
• Adheres to all Procurement standards and policies in accordance with the GKN Business Management System (BMS) and contributes to process development.
• Responsible for all ToW Gate 0, 1 & 2 sign-off approval.
• Accountable for devising / investigating Procurement Project Cost Reduction opportunities / activities linked to site cost reduction targets.
• Accountable for the Procurement Projects Supplier Sourcing & Development Strategy, in line with the group commodity strategy.

Job Qualifications

Suitable candidates will be able to demonstrate:

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• Educated to degree level (or equivalent) in Business Administration or other relevant discipline, OR significant procurement or supply chain experience
• Have gained, or is working towards, MCIPS
• Have gained, or is working towards, Project Management Qualification (APM, PMI, MBA etc.)
• Previous experience in Project Management within an Aerospace manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated experience of leading and mentoring a high performing team
• Strong commercial acumen, with demonstrable negotiation skills
• Relationship management skills, with the capability of interfacing professionally with customers and suppliers
• Ability to effectively manage change and risk
• Good written, verbal and presentation skills
• Willingness and ability to travel (potentially internationally) as and when required
• Strong understanding of the Supply Chain/Procurement process would be advantageous

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.

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