Procurement Team Leader

Job description:

Lead the transformation of a procurement function in aerospace

We are working on behalf of an established aerospace manufacturer, and we are looking for an experienced Procurement Team Leader to take ownership of our site Procurement function. You will move the team away from reactive order management and expediting and towards a proactive, commercially focused operation that anticipates demand, manages risk and delivers measurable value.

This is a hands-on leadership role with real influence. You will develop the team, strengthen supplier performance and build a strategic approach to procurement that improves Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost across the business.

What you’ll be doing

Leading the team:
You will set clear roles, priorities and standards, and build a culture of ownership, urgency and proactive problem solving. You will coach and develop your buyers, recognise strong performance, address underperformance and plan for succession.

Driving supplier performance:
You will introduce structured supplier management using scorecards that cover Quality, Delivery, Cost, Responsiveness and Risk. You will run regular performance reviews, hold suppliers accountable, make sure recovery plans are delivered, and manage capacity and continuity risk across the supply base.

Shaping procurement strategy:
You will develop sourcing, dual-sourcing, localisation and supplier development strategies that fit business growth and SIOP. You will make sure Procurement has a voice in future demand and capacity planning.

Delivering commercial value:
You will lead negotiations and commercial reviews that deliver year-on-year material cost reduction. This includes improving payment terms, MOQs and lead times, and working with Engineering, Quality and Operations on value-engineering opportunities. You will also protect the business from premium freight, excess inventory and supplier-driven cost.

Owning performance:
You will set up a clear operating rhythm with meaningful KPIs, including supplier OTD, shortages, PPV, supplier quality and lead times. You will use data to spot risks early and escalate them with clear recovery plans.

Improving how we work:
You will simplify and standardise processes, make better use of ERP and data systems, cut unnecessary transactional activity, and introduce visual management and exception-based reporting.

What we are looking for:

* Strong procurement or supply chain leadership experience in a manufacturing environment

* A proven track record of improving supplier performance and delivering cost reduction

* Strong commercial and negotiation skills, and the confidence to challenge suppliers and internal stakeholders constructively

* Experience managing and developing procurement professionals

* Experience implementing procurement KPIs, supplier scorecards and structured performance reviews

* The ability to translate demand and business strategy into practical procurement actions

* Strong analytical skills and ERP capability

* Experience in aerospace, defence or another regulated manufacturing environment is an advantage

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to make a visible impact in a role where your decisions directly protect production output and customer delivery. You will be backed to build a high-performing team and to put your stamp on how procurement operates in a demanding, high-standards aerospace environment.

What we offer:

Competitive salary, 25 days holiday (+BHs), company pension scheme, Life assurance scheme, cycle to work scheme, eye care vouchers

Apply now

If you are a procurement leader who enjoys turning reactive functions into proactive, high-performing teams, we would like to hear from you. Apply with your CV via this portal