At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic procurement initiatives and manage supplier relationships for innovative projects.
- Company: Join Draken, a leader in Electronic Warfare and Red Air Aggressor Training.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension contributions, bonuses, and wellbeing programmes.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to fair treatment and respect.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment with career growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Hours: Full-time 37 hours | Permanent
Draken believes in fair reward and recognition for our employees. As such, we offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including up to 12% matching pension contributions, bonus incentives, discounted PMI, electric car scheme, tech vouchers, wellbeing programmes and much more.
Location: Hurn
The Role
Draken is a leader in Electronic Warfare and Red Air Aggressor Training, delivering innovative, mission-critical solutions to our customers. We pride ourselves on collaboration, forward-thinking, and continuously improving how we operate.
We’re looking for a commercially astute Procurement Manager to play a key role in supporting our programmes and bid activity from the outset. This is a highly strategic position where you’ll provide early procurement input into bids, lead supplier and contract activities, and ensure robust, compliant routes to supply that meet cost, quality, and schedule requirements.
Working closely with Engineering, Technology, and Programme teams, you’ll support the full procurement lifecycle—from bid and source selection through to contract award and in-service support—while driving value, managing risk, and improving performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver procurement strategies aligned with programme and business objectives
- Provide early procurement input into bids, including pricing and supplier engagement
- Lead tendering, negotiation, and contract execution activities
- Build and manage key supplier relationships to ensure performance, quality, and competitiveness
- Support engineering lifecycle activities (e.g. PDR/CDR) and programme delivery
- Identify and mitigate supply chain and commercial risks
- Ensure compliance with procurement governance, export controls, and company policies
- Capture and deliver cost savings and value improvements
Experience / Skills / Qualifications
- Proven experience in procurement within a complex manufacturing or engineering environment
- Strong commercial judgement, balancing cost, risk, quality, and schedule
- Experience managing high-value, complex negotiations and contracts
- Solid understanding of contract risk and supplier management
- Ability to analyse procurement data and use ERP / supplier systems effectively
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the confidence to influence and challenge
- Knowledge of regulated environments and compliance requirements
- CIPS (or working towards) is desirable
We are looking for an adaptable, pro-active problem solver with a can-do attitude, who has strong stakeholder management experience and good organisational skills.
Our employee values
Draken is committed to eliminating unlawful and unfair discrimination and we celebrate the differences that a diverse workforce brings. A range of perspective and talent supports our values and drives our success, with a mix of voices generating better discussions, business decisions and outcomes for all.
At all our sites internationally, every member of the Draken team is accountable to ensure that we are all treated fair and with respect.
We are also an Armed Forces friendly organisation, and as part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, welcome applications from veterans and services spouses and partners who met the criteria in our job specifications.
In line with our Disability Confident Commitments, we provide reasonable adjustments to facilitate our interview process, please liaise with us if any reasonable adjustments are required.
Whether it is adversarial support, electronic attack or customised rotary-wing training, we offer the most accurate and advanced readiness training in the industry. Our vast, differentiated fleet, cutting edge hardware and experienced instructors are engaged to help your mission take off.
Being ready is not only a matter of when. But where. We provide services in the UK, US and across the NATO countries. Making sure that our allies can manoeuvre around defeat and prepare to prevail.
Strategic Procurement Manager employer: Draken
Draken is an exceptional employer that values quality and compliance, offering a dynamic work environment in Hurn, United Kingdom. Employees benefit from a strong focus on professional development, with opportunities to enhance their skills in the aviation sector while contributing to impactful supplier performance initiatives. The collaborative culture fosters innovation and continuous improvement, making it a rewarding place for those passionate about quality systems.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Procurement Manager
✨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 Draken.
✨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 Strategic Procurement Manager
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 Draken:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Draken. 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 Draken.
How to prepare for a job interview at Draken
✨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 Draken!
✨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 Draken. 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 Draken's culture.
