At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies and manage supplier relationships for engineering projects.
- Company: Join a dynamic recruitment specialist in Bedfordshire with a focus on growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, pension contributions, and early finish Fridays.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in project delivery while developing your procurement expertise.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic procurement and strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for career advancement.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 £ per year.
We are pleased to be working with our client seeking a Procurement Manager based in Bedford for a permanent role.
Salary: GBP50,000 - GBP55,000
Location: Bedford
Type of Contract: Permanent, 100% office based
Hours: 37.5 hour working week, Monday - Thursday 08:15 - 16:45, Fri 08:15 - 13:45
Benefits: 25 days holiday, Holiday Purchase from 2025, Pension Contribution 5%, Life Assurance 4 x annual basic, Employee assistance, Early finish Friday
Responsibilities:
- The Procurement Manager is responsible for developing and executing a robust procurement strategy that supports profitable project delivery, supply chain resilience, and long-term business growth.
- Operating within a project-based OEM engineering environment, the role ensures early procurement engagement, cost certainty, risk mitigation, and strong supplier performance across the full project lifecycle.
- Develop and implement a procurement strategy aligned with business objectives, project delivery requirements, and growth plans.
- Establish and manage long-term supplier and framework agreements to improve cost competitiveness, lead time certainty, and supply resilience.
- Lead supplier rationalisation initiatives and build strategic partnerships with key vendors.
- Provide early procurement input during bid, tender, and engineering phases to improve cost accuracy, lead time visibility, and risk identification.
- Support project teams with sourcing strategies for long-lead, high-risk, or critical components.
- Ensure procurement plans are aligned with project schedules and cash flow requirements.
- Drive cost-down initiatives and value engineering opportunities across the supply base.
- Monitor and manage procurement-related cost performance, variations, and supplier claims.
- Improve working capital outcomes through payment term negotiation.
- Identify and proactively manage supply chain risks, including capacity constraints, single-source dependencies, and market volatility.
- Establish procurement governance, policies, and standardised processes across projects.
- Ensure compliance with contractual, quality, and regulatory requirements.
- Act as the primary interface between engineering, project management, operations, and suppliers.
Requirements:
- Proven experience in strategic procurement or supply chain management within a project-based OEM, engineering, manufacturing, or capital equipment environment.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience negotiating complex supplier agreements.
- Demonstrated ability to manage procurement across multiple concurrent projects.
- Experience engaging with engineering and project teams early in the design and bid phases.
- Strong analytical, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
- Formal qualification in Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, or Business.
- Experience implementing procurement frameworks or governance models.
- Knowledge of contract law and risk management in project environments. (Desirable)
- Excellent leadership, communication, and team management skills.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
- Technical aptitude for mechanical systems and pump technologies.
- Strategic and commercially focused.
- Proactive risk manager.
- Strong negotiator and relationship builder.
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.
- Full UK driving licence.
About Allstaff Recruitment: We are an independent recruitment specialist based in Bedfordshire, supporting businesses across Bedford, Milton Keynes, and surrounding areas. We recruit for permanent, temporary, and contract roles across multiple sectors.
Thank you for your interest in this role. One of our Recruitment Specialists will review your application shortly. Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that we can’t respond to everyone directly. If you don’t hear from us within seven days, please assume you have not been successful this time.
Procurement Manager employer: Allstaff
Contact Detail:
Allstaff Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement and engineering sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their procurement strategies and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role. It keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that Procurement Manager role! We’ve got loads of resources to help you ace the process, so make sure you take advantage of everything we offer.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Procurement Manager role. Highlight your experience in strategic procurement and any relevant projects you've managed. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your achievements in procurement and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your strong analytical, stakeholder management, and communication skills. These are key for the Procurement Manager position, so make sure we can see them clearly in your application.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s super easy, and it helps us keep track of your application. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Allstaff
✨Know Your Procurement Strategies
Make sure you brush up on various procurement strategies and frameworks. Be ready to discuss how you've developed and executed these in past roles, especially in project-based environments. This will show your potential employer that you understand the nuances of procurement management.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of complex supplier agreements you've negotiated. Highlight your commercial acumen and how your negotiation skills have led to cost savings or improved supplier relationships. This is crucial for a Procurement Manager role, so make it count!
✨Understand the Project Lifecycle
Familiarise yourself with the full project lifecycle, especially how procurement fits into each phase. Be ready to discuss how early engagement in the design and bid phases can improve cost accuracy and risk identification. This shows you're proactive and strategic.
✨Demonstrate Strong Stakeholder Management
Think of instances where you've successfully managed relationships with various stakeholders, including engineering and project teams. Being able to communicate effectively and build relationships is key in this role, so have some solid examples ready to share.