At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Trainee Procurement Price Analyst and develop your skills in procurement.
- Company: MacTaggart Scott, a leader in defence engineering with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, structured training, and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact in procurement while working on exciting projects in defence.
- Qualifications: Good standard of education and strong MS Office skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for continuous improvement and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: On-site, Loanhead, Edinburgh
Hours: Full-time
Flexible Working Options – 4- or 5-day week
We are seeking a motivated and analytical Trainee Procurement Price Analyst to join MacTaggart Scott (MTS), reporting to the Deputy Head of Procurement and Supply Chain. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious individual looking to build a career in procurement within a defence engineering environment. Through structured training and hands-on experience, you will develop the skills to lead procurement activity across major bids, spares, and repairs contracts while supporting cost analysis, supplier engagement, and governance compliance.
Initially, the role will involve close supervision to support learning and development in defence procurement processes and MTS systems (IFS). As competence and experience are demonstrated, supervision will move to a moderate level, with increasing responsibility and autonomy.
About Us
MacTaggart Scott provides mission-critical systems to Naval Defence and Commercial Marine markets across the UK and globally. With strong and sustained growth, our Procurement & Supply Chain (P&SC) function continues to expand and evolve, playing an increasingly strategic role in delivering business value. From bid activity and cost analysis to through-life supplier management and sourcing of direct and indirect goods and services, our P&SC team is central to ensuring quality, cost efficiency, compliance, and supply chain resilience.
What Is the Job About?
As a Trainee Procurement Price Analyst, you will undergo training to become responsible for:
- Ensuring goods and services are sourced and priced in line with schedule, budget, quality, and Procurement strategy.
- Supporting and eventually leading procurement activity on major bids, spares, and repairs contracts.
- Managing enquiries and issuing formal Requests for Quotation (RFQs).
- Conducting price and category analysis to support supplier meetings, price reviews, and strategy development.
- Supporting supplier onboarding and ensuring required documentation (financial, quality, environmental) is maintained.
- Maintaining accurate costing and quotation data within the ERP system (IFS).
- Supporting compliance with company policy and customer flow-down requirements.
- Contributing to internal and external audit activities.
- Collaborating cross-functionally to address supply chain risks, sustainable supply, and cost efficiency challenges.
Success in this role will be measured by your ability to manage bid workloads effectively, maintain accurate cost data, support supplier performance management, and contribute to improved supply chain performance and ESG outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Working alongside Procurement Price Analysts, you will:
- Support delivery of the Procurement & Supply Chain Strategy in alignment with corporate objectives.
- Ensure cost data supporting bid submissions is accurate and robust.
- Prepare, issue, and analyse supplier quotations.
- Engage proactively with Bid, Commercial, QA, Engineering Support (EST), and other departments to resolve queries such as material compliance and obsolescence.
- Maintain strong supplier relationships, seeking optimal pricing validity and innovative sourcing solutions.
- Maintain awareness of market cost drivers and supply chain impacts affecting bids.
- Support supplier negotiations and performance monitoring activities.
- Maintain procurement and cost data within ERP systems to ensure accurate contract and supplier management.
- Attend and contribute to project updates, bid gate reviews, procurement meetings, and planning sessions.
- Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives within the department.
About You
You will bring a positive “can do” mindset and demonstrate:
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- The ability to manage complexity and deliver high-quality outputs under pressure.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Effective communication skills (written, verbal, and presentation).
- A collaborative approach when working with internal and external stakeholders.
- Motivation, self-discipline, and the ability to overcome challenges proactively.
Requirements
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential
- Good standard of general education.
- Strong MS Office skills (Word, Excel, Project, PowerPoint).
- Effective communication skills.
- Ability to prioritise.
Locations
Trainee Procurement Price Analyst (Hiring Immediately) in Loanhead, Midlothian employer: MacTaggart Scott
Contact Detail:
MacTaggart Scott Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Procurement Price Analyst (Hiring Immediately) in Loanhead, Midlothian
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the procurement field, especially those at MacTaggart Scott. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement processes. Show us you’re keen by discussing how you can contribute to their goals and values during your chat.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your analytical skills! Brush up on cost analysis and supplier engagement techniques. Being able to demonstrate these skills in real-time will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at MacTaggart Scott.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Procurement Price Analyst (Hiring Immediately) in Loanhead, Midlothian
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Trainee Procurement Price Analyst role. Highlight any relevant coursework, projects, or internships that showcase your analytical abilities and procurement knowledge.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're excited about this role at MacTaggart Scott and how your background makes you a great fit. Be sure to mention your motivation for a career in procurement.
Show Off Your Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your strong MS Office skills, especially in Excel, as this will be crucial for the role. If you have experience with data analysis or project management tools, make sure to include that too!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at MacTaggart Scott
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Before the interview, brush up on key procurement concepts and terminology. Understanding terms like RFQs, cost analysis, and supplier engagement will show that you're serious about the role and ready to dive into the procurement world.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated strong analytical skills. Whether it's through coursework or previous jobs, be ready to discuss how you approached complex problems and what the outcomes were.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's procurement strategies, challenges they face in the defence sector, or how they measure success in this role. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Since collaboration is key in this role, think of examples where you've worked effectively in a team. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve contributed to group success, as this will resonate well with the interviewers looking for a collaborative mindset.