NPI & Bids Manager

NPI & Bids Manager

What does the role look like? We’re looking for a dynamic NPI & Bids Manager to take the lead in shaping our supply chain for success. In this role, you’ll head up a high‑performing team to deliver seamless New Product Introductions (NPI) and winning bids, ensuring that every launch and transfer runs smoothly from start to finish. You’ll be at the heart of bringing new programmes to life — driving supplier readiness, aligning stakeholders, and making sure cost, quality, and schedule all hit the mark.

Beyond day‑to‑day delivery, you’ll play a critical role in risk mitigation, cost efficiency, and long‑term supply chain strategy, helping us stay competitive and future‑focused. If you thrive on building strong supplier relationships, leading teams through complex projects, and seeing tangible results from your work, this is your opportunity to make a real impact.

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of supply chain project managers
• Allocate resources across multiple NPI and bid specialists to meet program priorities
• Build a high‑performance culture focused on delivery, risk management, and continuous improvement

• Act as the primary supply chain representative for NPI and Bids
• Ensure alignment with program management, engineering, quality, and operations
• Provide leadership updates on progress, risks, and mitigation strategies

• Oversee supplier selection and onboarding for new programmes
• Ensure suppliers are production‑ready (capacity, quality, logistics) to meet design freeze, first article inspection (FAI), and ramp‑up milestones
• Drive adherence to customer, regulatory, and internal standards (e.g. AS9100, FAA/EASA)
• Support team members with their individual NPI projects and act as an escalation point when required

• Support the bids/proposals team within the supply chain function
• Help manage the flow of information requests to procurement, commodity managers, and suppliers
• Help consolidate and validate supply chain responses into a cohesive bid package
• Work with commodity managers to negotiate pricing, lead times, and terms for bid purposes
• Support and present supply chain inputs at senior reviews
• Look at ways to streamline and improve the process
• Bring OE and Aftermarket bids into one team and streamline into one Supply Chain process

• Track KPIs for NPI and Bids (OTD, ramp‑up readiness, cost performance, supply continuity, turnaround times)
• Provide structured governance updates to senior leadership and programme steering committees
• Capture lessons learned and deploy best practices across future projects

What will you bring to the role?

• Proven leadership and team management skills, with experience guiding project‑based teams
• Excellent analytical skills, highly proficient in Excel
• Proven experience in NPI or bids management

• Track record of successfully leading supply chain teams through complex projects
• Proven track record of supplier management and cross‑functional coordination
• Experience in cost estimation, supplier negotiation, and bid preparation
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail in cost/lead‑time breakdowns
• Experience working in a matrix organisation with cross‑functional teams
• Knowledge of aerospace regulatory requirements (AS9100, ITAR, export compliance) desirable
• Project management certification (e.g. PMP, Prince2) desirable but not essential

• Competitive salary
• Company performance bonus scheme
• Pension scheme – up to 10% employer contribution
• Private medical insurance
• Comprehensive health cash plan
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Flexible benefits programme (buy & sell holiday allowance, discounted gym memberships, maternity/adoption leave – up to 52 weeks, first 26 weeks at full pay, subsequent 26 at 50% basic pay; paternity/non‑pregnant parent/co‑adopter leave 4 weeks full pay)
• Structured training & opportunities to progress

Safran is an international high‑technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion,…