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

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 the Contracts Officer will play a key role in supporting the Integrated Project Team (IPT) for Defence Contracts, specifically focused on fighter aircraft canopy programmes. This position sits within a Commercial team of three, working alongside the Commercial Support Officer and reporting directly to the Commercial Manager.

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.

There is opportunity to work from home up to two days per week dependent on business needs following training period. The role involves occasional UK travel—approximately once per quarter—to visit customers based on the Isle of Wight.

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 of working within the Aerospace or Defence industry
• 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:

• Worked with/for Original Equipment Manufacturers
• 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.

Note: Some GKN programmes are subject to regulatory restrictions which may impact certain nationalities. As part of the application process you will be asked to declare when applying for this role.

The position may require 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
• Discount with local nursery and preschool childcare setting
• 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!

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.

We are 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.