Lead Procurement Project Manager
Lead Procurement Project Manager

Lead Procurement Project Manager

Cheadle Full-Time 43200 - 64800 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead procurement projects and manage a team to optimize performance and deliver competitive bids.
  • Company: Thales UK innovates in Aerospace, Defence, Security, and Space, impacting millions daily.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, remote options, and market-leading training opportunities.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic team that values your growth and offers diverse career paths.
  • Qualifications: Experience in procurement or project management with strong negotiation and interpersonal skills required.
  • Other info: Must be eligible for UK MoD Security Clearance; diversity and inclusion are core values.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 64800 £ per year.

Location: Cheadle, United Kingdom Thales people provide armed forces customers with operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defence mission systems solutions at land, sea, and air. Our platforms extend across the battlespace including Above and Sonar, Electronic Combat, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance systems. Together we offer fantastic opportunities for committed employees to learn and develop their career with us. At Thales UK, we research, develop, and supply technology and services that impact the lives of millions of people each day to make life better, and keep us safer. We innovate across the major industries of Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space. Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions. We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Procurement Project Manager to join Above Water Systems. This can be based at either Templecombe or Cheadle (hybrid working) If you are looking for a hands on Procurement Project Manager (PPM) with additional team lead responsibilities…. then this could be the opportunity for you! In addition to the PPM responsibilities the core role of the Lead provides: • Overall accountability for PPM activities and performance for the assigned Sector • People management and leadership to assigned resources including organising, planning, prioritising and managing the development and performance of assigned individuals • Provide a single point of contact (SPOC) into the assigned Sector • Contribute and report to PMR’s at Sector level. Project level PMR’s to be supported by the assigned PPM • Be a source of escalation, providing support to PPM’s by removing blockers and providing guidance on issues • Represent the Head of Procurement / Procurement Director when delegated, in senior reviews for example Sector Business Reviews You’ll represent Procurement as an integral part of a campaign, Bid or Product or Project team, leading the resources of the function in order to optimise it’s contribution to producing competitive campaigns, bids and products, and delivering profitable projects. Work with internal stakeholders to ensure Acquisition or Sourcing strategies for a campaign, bid, or product or project are aligned to the needs of the business in the short, medium and long term durations. Work with the bid and product development teams to ascertain the work package needs, competitiveness objectives and target costs. Develop a supply chain architecture; negotiate with the supply chain, under these mandates, to obtain a complete and competitive supply chain architecture which delivers the full requirement of the bid/product. Deliver a risk managed set of Terms and Conditions of contract for all elements of the supply chain. In project phase, work closely with key stakeholders and functions as necessary, to manage all Procurement aspects ensuring work packages are executed in accordance with technical, program, cost and performance (quality and delivery) requirements Right for this role? Ideally, you will have experience of working as an experienced PPM or in a mid- senior level Procurement role. Commercially astute with advanced negotiation skills experience including differing contracting models Broad range of Procurement skills focused on: Needs Analysis, Design to Cost, Make-Team-Buy, Technical Interface Management, Acquisition Strategy definition, International Sourcing, Supplier Management, Risk and Opportunity Management, Subcontract Management. Exceptional Interpersonal skills to optimise cross-functional & cross-organisational working, engage key stakeholders and to work effectively with suppliers. Able to analyse complex information to create an easy to communicate short-medium and long term solution, addressing Thales requirements. Sets stretched goals for themselves and their suppliers, prepared to take risks in order to gain competitive advantage for Thales. Contributes to improving the capability and competencies of the Procurement team in order to enable the function to deliver to business needs. Uses full understanding of internal and external customer needs to build a strong customer first culture within the solutions they define and the team in which they work. Understands the impact of their performance and that of their suppliers on Thales results. Desirable Team management, leadership and team development Major development/manufacture sub-contract program/project management experience Broad technical and commercial understanding of the Thales product and associated bought in supplied parts and services Ability to lead Make, Team, Buy decisions Upstream purchasing techniques deployment, especially Co-Development, Co-Engineering, Value Engineering, Value Analysis, Functional Analysis, Cost Analysis. What We Can Offer We’re committed to giving you opportunities to be your best We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training, development and experiences, along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry We hire from within as our first priority, so you’ll have a myriad of opportunities within our diverse, global organisation. Flexibility Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions. Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales. Additional Security Information Due to the sensitive nature of much of the work undertaken by Thales Training Solutions, all applicants must hold or be eligible for UK MoD Security Clearance (SC level minimum). #LI-SW1 In line with Thales’ Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency. At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working. Thales UK is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process. We will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process. To request an adjustment, if you need this job advert in an alternative format or if you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Resourcing Ops for mid to senior roles, or the Early Careers Team for graduate and apprentice roles. Great journeys start here, apply now!

Lead Procurement Project Manager employer: Thales

Thales UK is an exceptional employer that prioritizes the growth and well-being of its employees, offering a dynamic work culture where innovation thrives. With flexible working arrangements, comprehensive training programs, and a commitment to internal mobility, employees can shape their careers while contributing to impactful projects in the defence sector. Located in Cheadle, this role provides a unique opportunity to be part of a global organization dedicated to making life safer and better for millions.
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Contact Detail:

Thales Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Procurement Project Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarize yourself with Thales' core values and mission in the defense sector. Understanding how your role as a Lead Procurement Project Manager aligns with their objectives will help you articulate your fit during discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former employees of Thales, especially those in procurement or project management roles. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during your interview.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific examples of your negotiation skills and procurement strategies. Highlighting your experience with complex projects and how you've successfully managed supply chains will demonstrate your capability for this role.

✨Tip Number 4

Research recent projects or initiatives by Thales in the defense sector. Being knowledgeable about their current work will allow you to engage in meaningful conversations and show your genuine interest in contributing to their success.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Procurement Project Manager

Project Management
Procurement Strategy Development
Negotiation Skills
Supplier Management
Risk and Opportunity Management
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Needs Analysis
Technical Interface Management
Subcontract Management
Commercial Acumen
Team Leadership
Stakeholder Engagement
Analytical Skills
Cost Analysis
Value Engineering

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement project management and leadership. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in negotiation, supplier management, and team development.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that connects your background to the job description. Emphasize your understanding of Thales' mission and how your experience aligns with their needs, particularly in defence and armed forces sectors.

Highlight Key Skills: In your application, focus on key skills mentioned in the job description such as risk management, acquisition strategy, and technical interface management. Provide concrete examples of how you've successfully applied these skills in past roles.

Showcase Leadership Experience: Since the role involves people management, be sure to include examples of your leadership experience. Discuss how you have developed teams, managed performance, and contributed to a positive work culture.

How to prepare for a job interview at Thales

✨Showcase Your Procurement Expertise

Be prepared to discuss your experience in procurement project management, especially in areas like needs analysis and supplier management. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully negotiated contracts or developed sourcing strategies.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

As a Lead Procurement Project Manager, you'll need to show your ability to lead and develop a team. Share experiences where you've managed resources effectively, resolved conflicts, or improved team performance.

✨Understand Thales' Mission and Values

Familiarize yourself with Thales' commitment to innovation in defense and security. Be ready to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of providing operational advantage to armed forces.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think of situations where you've had to remove blockers for your team or manage risks in procurement processes, and be ready to explain your thought process.

Lead Procurement Project Manager
Thales
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  • Lead Procurement Project Manager

    Cheadle
    Full-Time
    43200 - 64800 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2026-12-10

  • T

    Thales

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