At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead supplier engagement and develop procurement strategies for major defence bids.
- Company: Join a leading organisation in defence and critical infrastructure sectors.
- Benefits: Up to £75,000 salary, performance bonus, flexible working, and professional development.
- Other info: Collaborative role with excellent career progression in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on strategic supply chain decisions and future business opportunities.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Salary: Up to £75,000 Depending on Experience + Performance-Based Bonus + Excellent Benefits
Want to play a key role in winning major defence and engineering programmes while shaping strategic supply chain decisions?
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Bid Procurement Manager to join a growing procurement and commercial function within a leading organisation operating across the defence and critical infrastructure sectors.
Working at the heart of major bid and business development activities, you'll take ownership of supplier engagement and procurement strategy, helping identify the right suppliers, negotiate commercial value and develop competitive, deliverable supply chain solutions.
You'll work closely with Business Development, Programme Management, Finance and Bid teams, giving you real influence over the direction of new business opportunities and the suppliers selected to support future programmes.
This is a highly collaborative role suited to someone who enjoys combining strategic procurement, commercial negotiations and stakeholder management within a fast-paced, technically complex environment.
Please note: UK citizenship is essential for this position, and candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain UK Government Security Check (SC) clearance.
The Company
Our client is an established organisation operating within highly regulated and technically complex industries, supporting critical national infrastructure and major defence programmes.
With a strong focus on innovation, engineering excellence and long-term programme delivery, they work alongside a broad network of specialist suppliers and industry partners to deliver complex solutions.
As part of their continued growth, they're looking for a commercially minded procurement professional who can strengthen supplier relationships, influence bid strategies and help secure future business opportunities.
- What You'll Be Doing
- Building and maintaining a strong network of suppliers aligned with current and future business requirements.
- Working closely with Business Development teams to develop effective supply chain strategies for bids and new business opportunities.
- Identifying, engaging and evaluating potential suppliers to ensure the right capabilities, commercial value and innovation are incorporated into proposals.
- Managing supplier engagement throughout the bid process, acting as a central point of contact and ensuring clear communication.
- Leading supplier negotiations to secure competitive pricing, favourable commercial terms and value for money.
- Supporting the development and implementation of appropriate supplier contracts in line with procurement policies and requirements.
- Working collaboratively with Bid, Programme and Finance teams to ensure procurement activities align with project objectives and deadlines.
- Contributing to bid planning, reporting and governance activities, ensuring key milestones are achieved.
- Identifying opportunities to improve supplier performance, commercial outcomes and supply chain resilience.
- Promoting responsible sourcing and social value throughout procurement and supply chain activities.
- What You'll Need To Apply
- Proven experience in procurement, supply chain or commercial management, ideally supporting bids and tendering activities.
- Experience working within defence, aerospace, engineering or other highly regulated environments would be advantageous.
- A strong track record of developing and managing supplier relationships.
- Demonstrable experience in commercial negotiations and securing value through supplier engagement.
- A good understanding of procurement principles, contract management and commercial terms.
- Knowledge of contract law and the ability to support the development of appropriate contractual arrangements.
- Experience working collaboratively with internal stakeholders across Business Development, Finance, Programme Management or Commercial teams.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence at different levels.
- A proactive and commercially driven approach, with the ability to work independently and as part of a wider team.
- CIPS Level 5 qualification or currently working towards it.
- World CC or an equivalent commercial or contract management accreditation.
- Knowledge of international trade compliance requirements, including ITAR, EAR or similar regulations.
- Previous experience supporting complex defence or engineering bids and major programme opportunities.
- Security Requirements
- UK citizenship is essential for this position.
- Must be eligible to obtain and maintain UK Government Security Check (SC) clearance.
- What's In It For You
- Salary up to £75,000, depending on experience.
- Performance-related annual bonus.
- Flexible working arrangements, including the option of a compressed fortnight.
- Cash health plan.
- Holiday buy and sell scheme.
- Excellent opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- The opportunity to work on complex, high-profile defence and engineering programmes.
- Exposure to strategic procurement, major bids and long-term commercial opportunities.
- The chance to influence supply chain strategy and contribute directly to securing future business.
Additional Information
Employment Type
Full-time.
Location
UK-based.
Travel
Approximately 10%.
Relocation
Relocation assistance is not available.
Security Clearance
Must be eligible to obtain and maintain SC clearance.
Interested?
If you're an experienced procurement or supply chain professional looking for an opportunity to influence strategic bids, lead supplier engagement and contribute to major programmes, we'd love to hear from you.
Procurement Manager - Bids in London employer: enable recruitment | B Corp™
Join a leading Tech for Good company in Bristol, where your work will directly contribute to enhancing social impact through meaningful sales initiatives. We pride ourselves on a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation, offering employees ample growth opportunities, competitive salaries, and unique benefits such as paid volunteering days. Be part of a mission-driven team that values your contributions and supports your professional development.
Contact Details:
enable recruitment | B Corp™ Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Manager - Bids in London
✨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 enable recruitment | B Corp™.
✨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 Procurement Manager - Bids in London
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 enable recruitment | B Corp™:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to enable recruitment | B Corp™. 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 enable recruitment | B Corp™.
How to prepare for a job interview at enable recruitment | B Corp™
✨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 enable recruitment | B Corp™!
✨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 enable recruitment | B Corp™. 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 enable recruitment | B Corp™'s culture.
