Procurement Specialist

The Role

The Procurement Specialist will report to the Supply Chain Manager and take ownership of procurement activity across assigned categories at Science in Sport, leading RFQs (Request for Quotations) and tenders, selecting and negotiating with suppliers, and managing contracts to drive efficiency, value and effectiveness. The role also supports supply planning and wider procurement processes, such as raising purchase orders and resolving invoice queries, where relevant.

• Contract:
  
  Permanent
• Salary:
  Up to £45,000 per annum
• Working Hours:
  
  09:00 - 17:30
• Location:
  
  Blackburn

• On-site gym
• Cycle to work scheme
• Product discount
• Birthday day off
• Pension scheme, employer contribution at 4%

• Key stock item availability – review daily stock positions for key raw materials, packaging and finished goods; check open purchase orders, supplier confirmations and delivery dates; and escalates shortages or risks early to the Supply Chain Manager while coordinating with planning and operations to maintain production continuity.
• Sourcing, supplier performance and commercial value – lead RFQs, tenders and supplier selection; monitor delivery performance, responsiveness, quality and pricing; maintain regular contact with suppliers to resolve issues and support cost‑comparison and negotiation preparation.
• Supply continuity and inventory management – review demand, stock cover, minimum order quantities and lead times to identify supply risks; support safety stock checks, inventory accuracy and the management of aged, excess or slow‑moving stock.
• Procure‑to‑pay and business support – raise and maintain purchase orders accurately; manage order acknowledgements, delivery notes and invoice queries; resolve basic pricing, quantity or goods‑receipting issues while keeping procurement records up‑to‑date.

• Leading RFQs and tender processes for assigned categories
• Supplier selection and evaluation to identify the best‑fit partners
• Negotiating favourable commercial and contract terms in alignment with overall category and business strategy
• Ongoing contract management to ensure compliance and value delivery
• Gathering market intelligence and generating reports, as relevant
• Identifying, delivering and tracking cost‑saving initiatives

• Supplier onboarding, ensuring new suppliers meet quality, compliance and commercial standards
• Maintaining the approved supplier list and associated governance
• Conducting regular supplier performance reviews
• Developing and managing supplier relationships
• Supplier development activity to build capability and improve value
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to proactively manage risk in the supply chain, including supply chain de‑risking initiatives

• Purchase order ownership, including raising and amending purchase orders
• Managing contract call‑offs
• Confirming orders and managing supplier ETAs
• Expediting and de‑expediting orders as demand changes
• Managing the supplier order book and tracking deliveries through to receipt
• Managing supplier OTIF (on‑time‑in‑full) performance
• Be the point of contact for day‑to‑day supply challenges and escalates to the Supply Chain Manager as relevant

• Spend analysis and measuring adherence to budgets
• Tracking and reporting cost savings
• Producing supplier KPI reports
• Producing procurement KPI reports
• Monitoring budgets across assigned categories

• Degree level education or part/full professional qualification in procurement, supply chain, business or a related discipline; CIPS qualification levels 4‑6 or working towards CIPS is desirable.
• Previous procurement or purchasing experience, preferably within a manufacturing, FMCG or fast‑paced supply chain environment.
• Experience supporting sourcing activity, supplier negotiations, supplier relationship management and procurement process improvement.
• Working knowledge of procure‑to‑pay processes, purchase order management, invoice query resolution and supplier master data requirements.
• Confident using ERP systems, preferably SAP, and Microsoft Excel…