At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing activities and develop strong supplier relationships in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a growing SME in the maritime and defence sector with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, guaranteed bonus, full funding for professional qualifications, and profit share scheme.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and exposure to diverse supply chains.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced role while developing your procurement skills.
- Qualifications: 5 years' experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and analytical capabilities.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 45000 € per year.
Location: Bristol City Centre
Onsite: 4 days per week, WFH on Fridays
Salary: £38,000 – £45,000 basic pay and on top a guaranteed bonus of £8,000 + Benefits: Full funding for professional qualifications
Industry: Maritime & Defence (experience in this sector is an advantage, not a requirement)
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are looking for a proactive and commercially focused Sourcing Procurement Officer to join our growing Procurement team. This role sits at the heart of our strategic sourcing activity, ensuring robust, competitive, and sustainable supply solutions are in place to support business requirements.
Working in a fast-paced SME environment, you will play a key role in identifying, engaging, and developing suppliers through effective market analysis and structured sourcing activity. You will build strong, collaborative relationships with both new and existing suppliers, leading negotiations, driving value, and ensuring agreements are aligned to business needs. Through thoughtful engagement, commercial insight, and a proactive approach, you will help strengthen supplier capability and long-term performance.
You will support project delivery across the business, working closely with internal stakeholders and the wider Procurement team to align sourcing strategies, manage priorities, and ensure a smooth transition from sourcing into operational delivery.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead sourcing activities from initial requirement through to supplier selection and contract award
- Develop and issue RFQs, ITTs, and other sourcing documentation, ensuring clear, structured, and compliant tender processes
- Conduct market research and supplier analysis to identify new opportunities and mitigate risk
- Develop and manage strong relationships with both new and existing suppliers
- Negotiate pricing, terms, and agreements to deliver best value while maintaining strong supplier partnerships
- Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders including Operational Procurement, Projects, Bids & Business Development
- Support the development and delivery of sourcing strategies aligned to business and programme requirements
- Ensure robust supplier selection, onboarding, and handover into operational delivery
- Maintain accurate sourcing and commercial data, with strong attention to detail across all activities
- Identify commercial and supply chain risks and implement mitigation strategies where required
- Support Assistant Procurement Officer's in daily activities & escalation where required
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
- Minimum of 5 years' experience within a procurement or supply chain role
- Strong understanding of sourcing fundamentals (RFQs/ITTs, supplier selection, negotiation, and contract award)
- Proven negotiation skills - able to be firm but fair, delivering value while maintaining strong supplier relationships
- Strong analytical capability, with advanced Excel skills and the ability to interpret and present data effectively
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
- A proactive, self-motivated, can-do attitude with the ability to work at pace
- Strong communication, relationship-building & engagement skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work to fixed deadlines within a dynamic SME environment
- Comfortable working cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders
- MRP / ERP experience and ability to learn and adapt to new systems
- Full driving licence and willingness to travel within the UK and internationally
- Ability to obtain the relevant Security Clearance (SC)
- Interest in or experience within the defence sector (desirable)
- Applicable qualifications CIPS, APICS, NVQ or Degree in Procurement (desirable)
WHY JOIN US
- Be part of a collaborative, growing SME delivering critical solutions into the defence sector
- Work in a fast-paced, high-impact environment where your contribution is visible and you can make a real difference to both the team and wider organisation
- Join a supportive and forward-thinking Procurement team that values collaboration, continuous improvement, and shared success
- Opportunities for development and progression within Procurement, with exposure across both Operational and Sourcing activities, as well as the opportunity to gain Project-related experience
- Be part of a function that is evolving, giving you the chance to contribute ideas, shape processes, and influence how we work
- Gain exposure to a wide and varied supply chain, building strong supplier relationships and developing your commercial and operational skillset
- Competitive salary and benefits package, including profit share bonus scheme
How to apply? Please email a CV to danni@cortechtalentsolutions.co.uk
Procurement Specialist Buyer (sourcing) in Bristol employer: Cortech Talent Solutions Ltd
Join our dynamic team in Bristol City Centre as a Procurement Specialist Buyer, where you will thrive in a collaborative and fast-paced SME environment dedicated to delivering critical solutions in the maritime and defence sector. We offer a competitive salary, guaranteed bonuses, and full funding for professional qualifications, alongside ample opportunities for personal and career growth within a supportive culture that values innovation and teamwork. Your contributions will be recognised and impactful, allowing you to shape processes and build strong supplier relationships while enjoying a healthy work-life balance with flexible working arrangements.
Contact Detail:
Cortech Talent Solutions Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Specialist Buyer (sourcing) in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the maritime and defence sectors on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups, attend industry events, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its procurement strategies. Think about how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in sourcing and supplier management. Practise common interview questions and have examples ready that showcase your negotiation skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them of your fit for the role. It shows you’re genuinely interested and keeps you top of mind.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might not be advertised elsewhere. Plus, it’s a great way to show your enthusiasm for joining our team. Let’s get you that Procurement Specialist Buyer role!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Specialist Buyer (sourcing) in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Procurement Specialist Buyer role. Highlight your relevant experience in sourcing, supplier management, and negotiation skills. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you’ve driven value in previous roles, especially in procurement or supply chain. This will help us see the impact you've made in your past positions.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Keep your language straightforward and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point, making it easy for us to see your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications better and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cortech Talent Solutions Ltd
✨Know Your Sourcing Fundamentals
Brush up on your understanding of RFQs, ITTs, and the supplier selection process. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles, as this will show your familiarity with the core responsibilities of a Procurement Specialist Buyer.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of successful negotiations you've led. Highlight how you balanced delivering value while maintaining strong relationships with suppliers. This will demonstrate your ability to be firm but fair, which is crucial for this role.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Capability
Be ready to talk about your experience with data analysis, especially using Excel. Prepare to discuss how you've used data to inform sourcing decisions or mitigate risks in previous roles, as analytical skills are key for this position.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Since relationship-building is vital in this role, practice engaging with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their current suppliers or sourcing strategies, showing that you're proactive and genuinely interested in their operations.
