Strategic Buyer: Hybrid-Propulsion systems

Our Mission

At Vertical Aerospace, we are pioneering the way for electric aviation. The VX4, our eVTOL (electric, vertical, take-off and landing), ‘zero emissions’ aircraft will set a new safety standard for how we will navigate the sky.

We won’t realise our mission following the same legacy processes and traditions our predecessors followed, instead, we want to ‘redefine’ aerospace best practices.

We are growing quickly from a prototype business to a scaling SME, and the next few years will be critical to our success and delivering on our ambitious goals of having the VX4 in service by 2030.

What to Expect

This role will report directly to the Head of Procurement, working closely with our expert internal teams across engineering, finance, and program, as well as key global external suppliers. You will be working on Vertical’s second-generation hybrid-propulsion system, which is expected to commence flight testing in Q2 2026.

You will need excellent communication, negotiation skills, attention to detail, and the ability to flex between essential operational tasks to strategic problem-solving to be successful in this role.
You will work with and analyse data and insights to identify where there are potential risks in our supply chain and take the lead in finding required solutions. Global travel to the US, Asia and Europe is also an important part of the role, although you will have complete autonomy over the frequency of travel.

What You'll Do

• Strategic Sourcing: Conduct market assessments & the identification of potential new suppliers.   

• Supplier Relationship Management: Working to build strong mutually beneficial relationships with our supply chain partners.   

• Supplier Performance Management: Manage supplier relationships and monitor adherence to contract KPIs to secure on time, cost and quality products / services  

• Negotiation: Manage the commercial negotiation and contracting process from RFI/RFP through to contract award.  

• Risk Management: clarity on the risks within the supply chain, utilising data and insights to predict potential issues and determine required treatment  

• Process: Contribute to developing our procurement processes and tools   

• Conduct day to day tasks within our ERP system: managing RFQs, supplier onboarding, placing POs, delivery assurance and receipting.  

• Supplier Development: develop and maintain supplier readiness for ‘ramp up’.

What You'll Bring

• Demonstrable procurement or supply chain experience within a safety-critical/highly regulated industry such as Aerospace, Automotive, Manufacturing, Nuclear, Healthcare or similar.

• Knowledge of battery / energy storage systems would advantageous, but not essential.

• BA/BSc degree or equivalent in a business-related field or CIPS qualification  

• Strong contract management skills  

• Demonstrable negotiation on pricing and contract terms and conditions  

• Global outlook and exposure to different challenges, cultures, and ways of working; willingness to learn and be part of a fast-paced diverse team  

• Good planning / project management skills  

• Sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgement, and strong operational focus  

• A team player with a can-do attitude who works well in a range of teams and can build a strong cross-functional stakeholder network.  

• A strategic thinker with strong analytical skills and operational focus  

• High resilience to change and ambiguity.  

• Self-starter with a continuous improvement mindset   

What can you expect from us?

We're on a mission. Where others see limits, we see opportunity, and we work at pace. Working at Vertical isn't your average role but for those seeking a challenge, a flexible, supportive organisation and an incredible team; working here is an opportunity to do the best work of your career.

Our approach promotes ingenuity and courage, while our environment builds success through diligence in safety and being open in the way we work. The only way we're going to assure the next chapter of aviation history is by working as a team, relentlessly, towards our goal. 

Our benefits

Our people matter - we're not going anywhere without them. Which is why our company benefits go beyond the essentials.

• 26 days holiday, plus bank holiday

• 5 extra days per year to buy (or sell)

• 5 extra days holiday when you get married or enter a civil partnership

• Additional 4% of your salary to spend on extra benefits

• Award-winning digital health and wellbeing service (Help@Hand)

• Company performance based bonus - rewarding company and individual performance

• Company Share Scheme - open to every Vertical employee

• Company Pension Scheme - 5% and we match it

• Breakfast on us, every day

We may just be the hardest job you've ever had, but we're confident it will be the most rewarding. Join the team today and help us shape the future of Advanced Air Mobility.

Disclaimer Statement

We encourage you to apply even if you may not have all the experience listed in the advert. We recognise that talent comes in various forms and we are committed to providing opportunities that create an environment of growth, diversity, and inclusion for everyone. As part of our desire to review and make our processes fair, we may ask you questions related to these aspects during the application process. For more information on how we will use your data, see our Legal section.