At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic procurement and sourcing in a high-tech environment, driving supplier performance and cost optimisation.
- Company: Join a leading manufacturing and engineering firm with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, private medical insurance, and flexible working.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and a clear pathway to Associate Director roles.
- Why this job: Shape procurement strategy and gain exposure to senior leadership while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in procurement and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Manager – Commodity & Sourcing to lead a high-performing procurement function within a complex manufacturing and engineering environment. This is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving sourcing excellence, supplier performance, cost optimisation, and supply chain resilience across multiple programmes and business areas. You'll lead a team of Commodity Managers, influence senior stakeholders, and play a key role in shaping procurement strategy across a highly regulated and technologically advanced sector.
For ambitious procurement leaders, this role offers genuine career progression, including direct exposure to senior leadership and a clear pathway towards Associate Director-level opportunities.
The Opportunity
Reporting into the Associate Director of Supply Chain, you will lead sourcing and commodity management activities across critical spend categories, working closely with Finance, Programmes, Manufacturing, Quality, Legal and Contracts teams. You will be responsible for developing and executing strategic sourcing plans, managing supplier relationships, driving performance improvements, and ensuring the organisation maintains a robust and resilient supply base capable of supporting long-term business objectives. This position provides significant visibility across the organisation and offers the opportunity to deputise for the Associate Director at senior leadership reviews, helping accelerate your professional development and leadership exposure.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, coach and develop a team of Commodity Managers, creating a high-performance culture focused on delivery, continuous improvement and accountability.
- Develop and execute short and long-term commodity and sourcing strategies aligned to business objectives.
- Drive supplier performance, cost reduction initiatives and value creation across strategic categories.
- Lead complex supplier negotiations and act as the senior escalation point for commercial and contractual matters.
- Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships that deliver long-term business benefits.
- Develop supply chain resilience strategies to mitigate geopolitical, operational and lower-tier supplier risks.
- Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to achieve operational and financial targets.
- Leverage existing commercial agreements to maximise organisational value.
- Support business transformation initiatives, including supply chain digitalisation and process improvement.
- Ensure compliance with all export control, ethical and corporate governance requirements.
- Drive the implementation of continuous improvement methodologies across the supply chain function.
About You
We're looking for a strategic procurement leader who combines strong commercial acumen with exceptional stakeholder management and leadership skills. You'll ideally bring:
Essential Experience
- Significant experience within Procurement, Supply Chain, Commodity Management or Subcontract Management.
- Leadership experience managing and developing medium-sized teams.
- Proven success delivering strategic sourcing outcomes within complex manufacturing, aerospace, defence or similarly regulated environments.
- Strong commercial and contractual negotiation expertise.
- Experience managing supplier performance and resolving complex commercial challenges.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence at senior leadership level.
- Knowledge of global supply markets and supply chain risk management.
- Experience developing and managing supply chain KPIs, metrics and performance frameworks.
- Ability to operate effectively within a fast-paced matrix organisation.
- Understanding of import/export regulations including ITAR, EAR and UK Export Controls.
- Experience supporting programmes across the full product lifecycle from development through to production and sustainment.
Desirable
- MCIPS, Degree, MBA or equivalent qualification.
- Experience leading cross-functional business improvement initiatives.
- Supply chain digital transformation and automation experience.
- Programme Management knowledge including governance, risk and financial management.
Career Development
This role has been designed with progression in mind. You'll gain regular exposure to Director-level stakeholders, participate in senior leadership reviews, and have opportunities to deputise for the Associate Director of Supply Chain. For individuals looking to advance their leadership career, there is a clear development pathway towards Associate Director-level positions.
What's on Offer?
- Competitive salary package
- Car allowance (£5,400 per annum)
- Annual bonus scheme
- Private Medical Insurance
- Up to 10.5% employer pension contribution
- Life Assurance (6x salary)
- 25 days annual leave plus public holidays
- Buy and sell holiday scheme
- Enhanced family-friendly policies
- Health Cash Plan, Dental and Cycle to Work schemes
- Enhanced sick pay
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- Early finish on Fridays
- Up to 5 paid volunteering days per year
If you're a commercially minded procurement leader looking to step into a highly visible strategic leadership role with genuine progression opportunities, we'd love to hear from you.
Locations
Senior Procurement Manager in Fife, Glenrothes employer: Arguile
Join a forward-thinking organisation in Glenrothes, Scotland, where as a Senior Procurement Manager, you'll thrive in a dynamic hybrid work environment that champions innovation and strategic excellence. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have access to exceptional career progression opportunities, including direct engagement with senior leadership and a clear pathway to Associate Director roles. Enjoy a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive culture that values work-life balance and community involvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Procurement Manager in Fife, Glenrothes
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Arguile.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Procurement Manager in Fife, Glenrothes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Arguile:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Arguile. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Arguile.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arguile
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Arguile!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Arguile. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Arguile's culture.