At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage procurement activities and collaborate with teams on high-profile projects.
- Company: Join a growing company in the defence and security sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a chance to work on impactful programmes.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional development and working in a complex environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making a difference in defence and security.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 € per year.
We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced buyer to join our team. This is a newly created role on the back of continued growth in the business. As Strategic Buyer, you'll play a key role in supporting procurement and subcontracting activities across defence and security programmes. Working closely with Programme Managers, Technical Leads and project teams, you'll ensure sourcing and supplier activity is delivered effectively, compliantly, and in alignment with project goals. This is a fantastic opportunity for a commercially aware individual who enjoys working in a complex, project-driven environment and is keen to contribute to high-profile programmes.
Responsibilities
- Managing end-to-end procurement activity – from initial requirement through to contract award
- Collaborating with internal stakeholders to understand project needs and develop procurement plans
- Leading tender processes, supplier sourcing, evaluation and contract negotiations
- Supporting key commercial decisions including make-buy, buy-rent-reuse and disposal strategies
- Managing supplier relationships, performance and contract delivery throughout the lifecycle
- Ensuring compliance with procurement regulations, governance frameworks and defence requirements
- Identifying and managing commercial, contractual and supplier-related risks
- Maintaining robust procurement documentation, records and audit trails
- Supporting category and sourcing strategies with market insight and spend analysis
- Promoting best practice procurement processes across the organisation
Qualifications
- Proven experience in procurement, strategic sourcing or commercial roles
- Strong understanding of procurement processes, contract management and supplier relationships
- Experience managing tenders, quotations and subcontracting in a structured environment
- Excellent commercial awareness with the ability to manage risk effectively
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
- Confident negotiator, able to influence pricing, quality and contractual outcomes
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail and record-keeping accuracy
- Experience using ERP, procurement or contract management systems
Desirable Experience
- Experience in defence, aerospace, manufacturing or regulated industries
- CIPS qualification (or working towards)
- Experience in R&D or publicly funded project environments
Next Steps
Following application review, shortlisted candidates will be invited to a two-stage interview process, which may include a practical or commercial assessment. Due to the nature of our work, all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and security clearance checks.
Strategic Buyer in Coventry employer: Manufacturing Technology Centre
Join a dynamic and innovative team as a Strategic Buyer, where your expertise will directly contribute to high-profile defence and security programmes. Our company fosters a collaborative work culture that values professional growth, offering ample opportunities for development and advancement in a complex, project-driven environment. Located in a thriving sector, we provide competitive benefits and a commitment to compliance and best practices, making us an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
Contact Detail:
Manufacturing Technology Centre Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Buyer in Coventry
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the defence and security sectors. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and understand their procurement processes. We want you to be able to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in managing supplier relationships and contract negotiations.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your commercial awareness! Be ready to discuss market insights and how you can contribute to their sourcing strategies. We love candidates who can think strategically about procurement and bring fresh ideas to the table.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for talent that fits our dynamic team, so make sure you put your best foot forward!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Buyer in Coventry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Strategic Buyer role. Highlight your experience in procurement and strategic sourcing, and don’t forget to mention any relevant projects you've worked on that align with our defence and security programmes.
Showcase Your Skills:In your cover letter, showcase your strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills. We want to see how you’ve successfully collaborated with teams in the past and how you can bring that to our organisation.
Be Specific About Experience:When detailing your experience, be specific about your involvement in managing tenders and supplier relationships. Use examples that demonstrate your commercial awareness and ability to manage risks effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Manufacturing Technology Centre
✨Know Your Procurement Processes
Make sure you brush up on your understanding of procurement processes and contract management. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully managed end-to-end procurement activities, as this will show your practical knowledge.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since the role involves collaborating with various internal stakeholders, prepare to talk about how you've effectively engaged with different teams in previous roles. Think of instances where you’ve developed procurement plans based on stakeholder needs and how that contributed to project success.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
As a Strategic Buyer, you'll need to be a confident negotiator. Prepare to share examples of how you've influenced pricing, quality, and contractual outcomes in past negotiations. Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them to achieve favourable results.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
This role requires strong commercial awareness, so be prepared to discuss how you identify and manage risks in procurement. Bring examples of how you've supported key commercial decisions, like make-buy or buy-rent-reuse strategies, and how those decisions impacted your projects.
