Senior Sourcing Specialist

As a Senior Sourcing Specialist, you will play a crucial role in managing supply chain operations. Your primary responsibility will be to identify, evaluate and engage suppliers to ensure the highest quality and cost efficiency of materials and services, while also assessing and mitigating risks and identifying new opportunities for improvement and innovation. You will be accountable for managing supplier relationships, cost reduction and supply strategy to ensure effective and strategic sourcing of a commodity portfolio. This varied and hands-on role requires energy, flexibility and an entrepreneurial approach to delivering a world-class supply chain to support company operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic sourcing initiatives to meet the company's procurement goals.
• Identify and evaluate potential suppliers through market research, RFQs and RFPs.
• Negotiate contracts, terms, and conditions with suppliers to achieve optimal pricing, delivery lead time and quality.
• Monitor and manage supplier performance to ensure compliance with contractual agreements and company standards.
• Assess and mitigate risks associated with the supply chain, including regular analysis of supplier performance – engaging proactively with suppliers to improve performance based on KPIs.
• Identify and capitalise on opportunities for cost savings, quality improvement, and innovation within the supply chain.
• Collaborate with internal departments, including materials, production, engineering, supplier quality assurance, finance etc to ensure optimised supply chain operations.
• Escalation point for remediation of major supply chain issues impacting business operations inside commodity portfolio.
• Maintain accurate records of sourcing activities, contracts and supplier performance metrics.
• Stay updated with industry trends, market conditions and best practices in procurement.
• Manage supplier relationships and resolve any issues or disputes that may arise.

Candidate Profile

• Detail and Process orientation - Achieves high quality and productivity standards by adhering to standard work.
• Familiar with technical product specifications and the ability to identify sources of supply capable of providing them.
• Ability to use data to support excellent decision making through analysis.
• Self-directed time management skills with the ability to prioritise.
• Demonstrates full accountability and ownership for all aspects of assigned areas of responsibility.
• Persistence and curiosity in problem solving.
• Comfortable in presenting information in a variety of formats to business stakeholders – leading and influencing in the course of delivering projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management.
• Familiar with commodity strategy development and execution processes, supply contracting principles and tendering processes.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience in risk assessment and management.
• Proficiency in procurement software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with Oracle ERP systems an advantage.
• Level 4 or 5 or CIPS qualification an advantage.

Salary: £40-50K