NPI & Bid Manager

Job Description

Ultra Precision Control Systems (PCS) is looking for a NPI & Bid Manager to join the Supply Chain Function to lead and manage the Projects & Bid category.

In this role you will lead a project procurement team and deliver world‑class procurement capabilities. You will partner with internal stakeholders to ensure they receive maximum value for all money spent with suppliers. You will execute effective strategies, furthering supplier‑engaged DFM activity, supplier management and sourcing decisions. You will add value by aligning with the best suppliers, drive compliance with intellectual property and privacy requirements, and continuously strive to achieve the right price and quality for the right product or service.

You will also contribute to effective design of new products with consideration of manufacturability and product life cycle management.

• Lead & develop the project & bid team.
• Provide status updates on projects and ensure that business priorities are met.
• Ensure that parameters and agreements are in place for the new product being transferred to production; identify & establish long‑term supplier partners focusing on the total cost of supply, thereby establishing mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Align with category managers to reduce the supplier base and ensure suppliers are of the correct size and exhibit the expected behaviours and product output (to quality and on time).
• Ensure the team is agile and continually evaluate and monitor market conditions and adjust sourcing strategies accordingly.
• Ensure, through production readiness reviews and capacity plans, that each supplier in the product categories has the ability to meet their commitments and deliver production volumes.
• Identify, present and influence Technology Enablement solutions to drive efficiency.
• Ensure the NPI & Bid team are supporting and influencing future new designs with Engineering, utilising intelligence and capabilities from our supply chain.
• Maximise the DFM & DFT opportunities to reduce the design cycle, remove costs and thus deliver efficient designs.
• Collaborate & influence with the equivalent leads in operations, quality, engineering, PM and other functions to meet business objectives.
• Implement make‑buy strategies, resulting in turnkey supplier solutions, reducing lead times & cost caused by internal processing.
• Continuously identify & deliver efficiency & cost savings.
• Report monthly to Head of Sourcing & Resilience on initiatives, opportunities, risks and objectives.

• Proven experience leading and developing multi‑disciplinary procurement or project sourcing teams within a complex engineering or manufacturing environment.
• Strong leadership capability with a track record of driving high performance, developing talent, and aligning team objectives to business strategy.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate effectively across functions including Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Programme Management.

• Extensive experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and category strategy development, ideally within Aerospace, Defence, or other highly regulated sectors.
• Strong commercial acumen with a focus on total cost of ownership, value optimisation, and supplier performance management.
• Proven ability to deliver measurable cost reduction targets and identify long‑term value creation opportunities.
• Experience establishing and managing long‑term supplier partnerships, including negotiation of complex agreements and intellectual property considerations.

• Deep understanding of New Product Introduction (NPI) and Bid processes, with experience supporting design‑for‑manufacture (DFM) and design‑for‑test (DFT) activities.
• Strong understanding of end‑to‑end product lifecycle management, from concept through to production and sustainment.
• Experience leading production readiness reviews, capacity planning, and make‑buy decisions to ensure supply readiness and resilience.
• Proven ability to apply technology enablement and digital procurement tools to improve efficiency and decision‑making.