Full job descriptionEH63 - Aviation Technical Specialist

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000

Location: Slough

Overview:

First Military Recruitment are currently seeking an Aviation Technical Specialist on behalf of one of our clients.

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with a strong technical aviation background to support research, procurement, purchasing and business development activities.

You will be primarily responsible for researching aircraft parts and components, investigating technical specifications, identifying potential suppliers and establishing market pricing to support the Procurement team.

Our client encourages applications from ex-military personnel however all candidates will be given due consideration.

Duties and Responsibilities:
*Conducting detailed research into aircraft parts and components in response to customer and internal requirements.
*Researching aircraft part numbers, National Stock Numbers (NSNs), alternative and superseded part numbers, and component history.
*Identifying potential replacement parts, interchangeability and alternative sourcing opportunities.
*Working Monday to Friday in an office-based environment, providing day-to-day support across research, procurement, purchasing and business development functions.
*Researching legacy, retired, military and government aircraft platforms, including difficult-to-source and obsolete components.
*Reviewing technical documentation, aircraft parts catalogues and historical information to establish component function and application.
*Conducting market research to establish pricing benchmarks, supplier availability and potential sourcing opportunities.
*Preparing detailed research packages for the Procurement team, including technical specifications, pricing, supplier information and recommended sourcing routes.
*Supporting day-to-day procurement and purchasing activities, including purchase order tracking and supplier follow-ups.
*Assisting with supplier quotations, RFQs, vendor onboarding and maintaining accurate supplier records.
*Supporting business development through market research, competitor analysis and identifying potential opportunities.
*Assisting with customer-facing materials, tender responses, CRM administration and lead tracking.
*Working closely with the Global Operations Manager on operational projects and cross-functional business activities.
*Identifying opportunities to improve internal processes and workflows.
Skills and Qualifications:
*Previous experience within the aviation, aerospace, aircraft parts, MRO, military aviation or defence aviation industry.
*Strong technical knowledge of aircraft, aircraft systems, components and aviation terminology.
*Experience conducting detailed aircraft parts research and investigating technical requirements.
*Knowledge of aircraft part numbers, NSNs, alternative part numbers and component availability.
*Experience using aviation research platforms such as ILS/ILSmart and/or PartsBase.
*Understanding of aviation parts pricing, suppliers and the aircraft aftermarket.
*Ability to interpret technical documentation, aircraft parts catalogues and component specifications.
*Strong research, analytical and investigative skills with excellent attention to detail.
*Experience within procurement, purchasing, supplier management or supply chain would be advantageous.
*Strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
*Adaptable and flexible approach to work.
*Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
*Proactive, self-motivated and comfortable taking ownership of responsibilities.
Desirable:
*Experience working with the RAF, UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) or other military aviation programmes.
*Experience researching military aircraft components and UK/NATO stock numbers.
*Background in aircraft maintenance, aviation engineering, technical sales or component support.
*Previous experience supporting business development or commercial operations within an aviation or defence environment.
*Knowledge of legacy, retired or out-of-production aircraft platforms. (Highly desirable)