Strategic Procurement Specialist

Job Details

Job Location:

Priory Park - ULVERSTON, Cumburia LA12 9QG
Position Type:
Temporary Job Category:
Purchasing - ProcurementSUMMARY

To support the procurement function by sourcing and purchasing goods and services, managing supplier relationships, negotiating commercial agreements, and ensuring materials and services are obtained at the best total value while meeting quality, delivery, inventory, and compliance requirements. The role will drive supply continuity through strategic supplier partnerships, including Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) programs and fixed-term pricing agreements.

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers to meet business requirements.
• Lead RFQ, RFP, and tender activities.
• Negotiate pricing, rebates, payment terms, and service agreements.
• Establish and manage fixed-term pricing agreements to reduce cost volatility and improve budget accuracy.
• Monitor commodity and market trends to identify pricing risks and opportunities.
• Deliver measurable cost savings and value improvement initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• Drive continuous improvement activities with key suppliers.
• Resolve supplier performance issues relating to quality, service, cost, and delivery.
• Conduct regular supplier business reviews and performance assessments.
• Develop supplier scorecards and KPI reporting.
• Develop, implement, and manage Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) agreements with strategic suppliers.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to determine inventory parameters, replenishment methodologies, and service level targets.
• Ensure continuity of supply through robust supplier planning and risk mitigation strategies.
• Support Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes through supplier collaboration and demand alignment.
• Analyse and communicate procurement, inventory, supplier, and operational performance data to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and improvement actions.
• Develop and maintain ownership of key procurement and operational performance metrics, ensuring supplier and internal performance is measured, reviewed, and improved against agreed targets.
• Influence and engage stakeholders at all levels of the organisation to support decision-making, resolve supply challenges, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide effective cross-functional leadership, working collaboratively across Supply Chain, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Finance, and Sales teams to align procurement activities with wider business objectives.

CIPS / MCIPS qualified or working towards (desirable)

• Established professional (at least 5 years) with extensive commercial acumen experience.
• Experience required of working with an ERP system, specifically MRP.
• A good working knowledge and understanding of Procurement within the Defence/Aerospace industry (or a similar sector) and ability to apply them with minimal supervision and direction.

They will be proactive, analytical, result orientated and willing to take on new challenges. They will also have the ability to build good working relationships with people at all levels internally and externally, and able to work to tight deadlines. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong cross-functional leadership capabilities, exceptional communication and influencing skills, and a proactive approach to managing operational performance through the ownership and analysis of key procurement and supply chain metrics.

They will be comfortable engaging with stakeholders at all levels and driving collaboration to achieve business objectives.

• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organisational skills and capable of working to tight deadlines.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Comfortable using data and tolls (including power BI) to support decision making.
• A good working knowledge and understanding of Procurement within the Defence/Aerospace industry (or a similar sector) and ability to apply them with minimal supervision and direction.
• Strong operational awareness with the ability to understand, interpret, and drive performance through key operational and procurement metrics.
• Experience developing and using KPI dashboards and performance reporting tools to support data-driven decision-making.
• Ability to communicate complex commercial and supply chain issues clearly to both operational and senior leadership…