At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement and sourcing activities for Mechanical Structures, driving excellence and innovation.
- Company: World Class Defence Organisation with a focus on building a robust UK Supply Chain.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, hybrid working, and opportunities for long-term career growth.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to work in a newly formed directorate with excellent career prospects.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in the defence sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, CIPS qualification preferred, and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 62 - 62 £ per hour.
World Class Defence Organisation is currently looking to recruit a Sourcing Lead subcontractor on an initial 6 month contract. This role could be suitable for a candidate from a Category Manager, Procurement Manager or Lead Buyer background.
Rate: £62.00 per hour
Location: Stevenage
Hybrid / Remote working: 2-3 days per week working from home
Contract: 37 Hours per week
Overtime: Hours worked over 37 hours per week will be calculated at time and a quarter
Duration: 6 Months (initially and then ongoing and long-term thereafter)
IR35 status: Inside IR35 (Umbrella)
The Procurement Directorate within this company is a newly formed directorate as of 2026. They have the exciting challenge of meeting the demands of their customers and building a robust UK Supply Chain.
Responsibilities:
- Role purpose: To lead and support the procurement and sourcing activities of the Mechanical Structures domain, to be the lead and focal point for a number of RFx events. Working with the Category Manager, Supply Chain Manager and the key stakeholders to drive procurement excellence, implementing new suppliers to future proof the supply chain and to secure the ramp up today.
Key responsibilities:
- Sourcing: Produce and lead sourcing activities in line with category and domain strategy, ensuring procurement best practice is followed, in line with policy. Lead and support activities to increase the supply chain. Be able to undertake the prerequisite research, i.e. spend analysis, segmentation, future analysis, market analysis. Be proficient in utilising procurement tools (Kraljic, Porters, etc.). Be able to present the sourcing outcome to senior stakeholders and justify decisions/outcome of sourcing activities, demonstrating how risks have been mitigated. Jointly lead supplier development activities with Supply Chain Managers, complimenting their technical excellence as a commercial lead.
- Contract Development & Negotiations: Have an understanding of English contract Law. Be able to interpret commercial discussions from a supplier to ensure the best commercial position is implemented. Draft and implement the relevant commercial agreement for the situation. Lead in defining negotiation strategies. Identify and implement specific planned saving initiatives.
- Risk Management: Identify supplier risks. Manage in line with company processes and procedures. Present risks mitigation plans to obtain sponsorship from across the business.
- Change Management: Ensure onboarding of suppliers is undertaken with the handover period from existing suppliers to new is managed alongside the Multi-Functional Team. Support Procurement Transversal improvement initiatives.
Skillset/experience required:
- Able to work in a team and lead complex procurement discussions.
- CIPS qualified or equivalent experience.
- Experience in running complex RFx.
- Product Lifecycle Awareness: Solid understanding of how sourcing strategies shift across the product lifecycle (NPI, Low-Rate Initial Production, Full-Rate Ramp Up, and Legacy/Sustainment).
- Data & Cost Architecture: Ability to analyse open-book cost models, machine/load-centre rates, and buy-to-fly ratios to drive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) reductions.
Sourcing Lead in Watford employer: Certain Advantage
As a leading Defence Organisation, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic work culture that values innovation and collaboration. Our employees enjoy competitive rates, flexible hybrid working arrangements, and ample opportunities for professional growth within a supportive environment. Located in Stevenage, we offer a unique chance to contribute to impactful projects while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sourcing Lead in Watford
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Sourcing Lead in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Certain Advantage that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Certain Advantage can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Certain Advantage that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Certain Advantage know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Certain Advantage
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
