Contracts Officer

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.

Job Summary

“Together We Rise”
It’s great to know you’re making a difference to the future of aviation Whatever part you play you’ll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers. Based at our Luton manufacturing plant you’ll do just that. Established in 1993, GKN Aerospace in Luton is a world leader in commercial and military ice protection systems and transparencies. Offering a full range of capabilities; design, analysis, testing, certification and manufacture of electro-thermal ice protection, military fast jet canopies and flight deck windows to over 20 programmes including: Boeing 787, Dreamliner, Airbus A320, AgustaWestland, AW101, Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed, Martin F-22 Raptor. Our customers include Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopters, Textron, BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Leonardo. Our Luton site is home to 370+ employees and onsite facilities including onsite parking, food hub and vending machines.

Based at our Luton Manufacturing site reporting to the Commercial Manager the Contracts Officer will be a key stakeholder supporting the Integrated Project Team (IPT) for Defence Contracts, such as F-22 and Eurofighter aircraft Canopy programmes.

As Contracts Officer you will oversee the account and provide contractual expertise and support and be the first point of contact and escalation for purchase orders or contractual issues internally and from customer. You will ensure the management and resolution of commercial issues on a day to day basis such as commercial change management, support local level bids and proposals while working with the wider Commercial Support team. 

Job Responsibilities

• To interface and highlight to the IPT and customers where contractual obligations and limits to obligations are.
• Supports new bidding activity when required, including the compilation of a business model and Commercial proposal.
• To manage/maintain the company order book to reflect the customers purchase order requirements. 
• To ensure that commercial/contractual correspondence files are maintained.
• To maintain key performance metrics and contribute to internal reporting requirements.
• Supports change negotiations with Customers.
• Ensure that overdue debt is kept to a minimum and customers pay in accordance with agreed payment terms.
• Support Project / Programme Review structure, reports, data etc.
• Review customer Material Requirements Planning (MRP) and conclude on demand changes, check against contractual conditions and update demand as part of MPS. 
• Manage opportunities to improve the business case.
• Adheres to all Programme Management and Commercial standards and policies in accordance with the GKN Aerospace Programme Management framework and contribute to process development.

How You'll Contribute

To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:
Essential:
• Experience within a Commercial or Procurement function
• Experience of working within multi-disciplinary teams 
• Ability to demonstrate Business acumen and Commercial awareness 
• Experience of working with high attention to detail
• Numeracy reasoning skills, ability to work to profit
• Good written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively at all levels
• Intermediate competency with MS Office Suite including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel

Desirable:

• A BSc Degree or Diploma in relevant subject such as Business, Finance or Procurement
• Contracting knowledge and / or accreditation such as IACCM, WCC, CIPS 
• Experience of SAP software 

We are looking for people who want to make a difference, talented members with the skills and passions to become the best of the future in what they do. The Contracts Officer will be a confident, self-motivated and customer focused team player with excellent organisation, multi-tasking, problem solving and communication skills as well as great attention to detail and an enjoyment of working to time constraints.

The position requires UK National Security Vetting (UKNSV) Security clearance (SC) due to the nature and responsibilities of the work carried out. In order for us to obtain an SC you usually need to have been resident in the UK for a minimum of 5 years to current date (but we do assess each case individually).

What We'll Offer

Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:
• Competitive salary dependent on experience
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 185 hours holiday + bank holidays
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
• Free onsite parking 
• Local gym discount 
• 50% off local travel card 
• Free airport Dart
• Free airport parking 
• Enhanced family friendly leave
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment 

As well as a competitive package we’ll offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. That’s the beauty of being part of a global business, once you’re on board you never know where you career journey may take you 

Join us and keep the world moving … click on the link below to apply

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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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