At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage high-value contracts and drive supplier performance in defence aviation.
- Company: Join a leading aerospace and defence programme with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on UK defence capabilities while developing your procurement skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Procurement Agent to join a major aerospace and defence programme supporting the sustainment and operational readiness of military rotary-wing aircraft. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially focused procurement professional with strong supplier management and contract negotiation experience to play a key role in managing a high-value maintenance and support contract worth in excess of £100m.
As a key member of the Supplier Management & Procurement team, you will be responsible for the management of a major subcontract supporting the maintenance, repair, and operational availability of military helicopter fleets. Based primarily in Gosport, you will work closely with supplier maintenance teams and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure contractual obligations, performance targets, and programme objectives are achieved.
This role requires an individual who can influence at all levels, build strong supplier relationships, lead complex negotiations, and deliver measurable value across a strategically important programme.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a major maintenance and support subcontract valued at over £100m.
- Monitor supplier performance against agreed KPIs, service levels, and contractual requirements.
- Drive supplier accountability, operational performance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Develop and implement procurement and supplier management strategies aligned to programme objectives.
- Lead commercial discussions, contract negotiations, and issue resolution activities.
- Identify and mitigate commercial, operational, and supply chain risks.
- Foster strong supplier relationships that encourage innovation, efficiency, and long-term value creation.
- Work collaboratively across programme, engineering, commercial, finance, and operational teams.
- Define procurement requirements aligned to customer and programme needs.
- Execute contractual documents and binding agreements.
- Monitor supplier delivery, quality performance, financial stability, and in-service support outcomes.
- Support the development of future supply chain strategies and transformation initiatives.
What You'll BringEssential Experience
- Significant experience in procurement, supplier management, subcontract management, or commercial contract management.
- Experience operating within the Defence sector.
- Knowledge of UK MoD contractual requirements and procurement processes.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to:
- Draft and review contractual language.
- Negotiate terms and conditions.
- Interpret complex contractual obligations.
- Strong stakeholder and supplier relationship management skills.
- Proven experience managing multiple competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
- Strong communication, influencing, and negotiation skills.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving ability.
- High attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and SAP/ERP systems.
- Ability to travel between sites when required.
Desirable
- Understanding of rotary-wing aircraft platforms and support programmes.
- Experience supporting military aviation sustainment contracts.
- MCIPS accreditation.
- Experience driving supplier performance and operational improvement initiatives.
Key Personal Attributes
We’re looking for someone who demonstrates:
- Accountability and ownership.
- Adaptability in changing environments.
- Continuous improvement mindset.
- Strategic thinking and decision-making capability.
- Strong planning and organisational skills.
- Innovation and creativity in problem-solving.
- Collaborative working style.
- Commitment to learning and professional development.
Why Apply?
Opportunity to support a critical UK defence aviation programme. Work within a highly collaborative and multi-disciplinary environment. Influence strategic supplier relationships and programme outcomes. Lead meaningful continuous improvement and value creation activities. Join a forward-thinking procurement organisation focused on innovation and operational excellence.
Security Requirements
BPSS clearance is required.
Working Pattern
Hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days per week on-site in Gosport.
Interested in joining a programme that plays a vital role in supporting UK defence capabilities? We’d love to hear from you.
Procurement Agent in Gosport employer: Mane Contract Services
Mane Contract Services is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Northern Ireland where innovation and collaboration thrive. Employees benefit from a strong focus on professional development, with opportunities to enhance their skills in lean manufacturing and heavy equipment engineering. The company fosters a supportive culture that values teamwork and encourages employees to contribute to meaningful projects that drive efficiency and excellence in manufacturing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Agent in Gosport
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Agent in Gosport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Mane Contract Services that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Mane Contract Services can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Mane Contract Services that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Mane Contract Services know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mane Contract Services
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
