Procurement Specialist

Procurement Specialist High-Growth AI Company (Near Cambridge)

My client is a rapidly growing AI and deep-tech company based in the Greater Cambridge area. They are seeking a Procurement Specialist to take ownership of sourcing, purchasing, and supplier management across a wide range of technical and operational categories.

This is a hands-on, high-impact role supporting a fast-scaling organisation, ensuring engineering, R&D, and operations teams have the materials, components, and equipment required to deliver cutting-edge products.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Purchasing

• Manage the full procurement lifecycle: sourcing, quoting, negotiating, purchasing, and tracking orders
• Identify and qualify reliable suppliers for electronics, optics, mechanical parts, test equipment, and wider operational needs
• Raise POs, manage approvals, and maintain accurate purchasing and order-tracking records
• Monitor stock levels and place replenishment orders for critical components

Supplier & Vendor Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers
• Evaluate supplier performance, reliability, pricing, and lead times
• Negotiate pricing, terms, SLAs, and commercial agreements
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, export controls, and regulatory standards

Operational Support & Logistics

• Coordinate shipments, deliveries, customs documentation, and logistics arrangements
• Work closely with engineering and operations teams to understand technical requirements and timelines
• Support R&D, warehouse, and stores teams with timely procurement and delivery of components
• Maintain accurate records of assets, tooling, and critical components

Process Development & Governance

• Develop scalable procurement processes suited to a fast-growing deep-tech environment
• Improve purchasing workflows, documentation, and approval pathways
• Support cost control, budgeting, and forecasting in collaboration with Finance
• Ensure procurement operates in line with company policies, ethical standards, and defence/security guidelines

Requirements

Essential

• Proven experience in procurement, purchasing, supply chain, or buying roles ideally within engineering, manufacturing, electronics, or technology
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to secure competitive pricing and favourable terms
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail
• Ability to interpret technical specifications or collaborate closely with engineers to clarify requirements
• Confident managing multiple suppliers, quotes, and orders at once
• Good understanding of procurement systems, POs, invoicing workflows, and inventory processes
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Proactive, solutions-focused, able to work independently in a fast-paced environment

Desirable

• Experience in defence, aerospace, robotics, electronics, manufacturing, or hardware-focused tech
• Knowledge of export controls (ITAR/EAR), restricted materials, or specialist compliance
• Familiarity with technical components such as RF parts, optics, PCBs, cables, sensors, or mechanical hardware
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems or procurement software
• Understanding of logistics, customs documentation, and international shipping
• CIPS qualification or progress toward certification

What s on Offer

• An opportunity to build procurement processes from the ground up
• High visibility across engineering, R&D, and operational teams
• The chance to be part of a fast-growing AI organisation working on cutting-edge technology
• A dynamic, hands-on environment ideal for someone who thrives in a scaling, innovative business

Interested? Please Click Apply Now! Procurement Specialist