Sourcing Lead - 3743-1 in Stevenage

The UK's trusted Ministry of Defence partner is seeking an experienced Sourcing Lead to join its expanding Supply Chain / Procurement team in Stevenage. This is an exciting opportunity to drive strategic sourcing and procurement activity across the Mechanical Structures domain, leading key RFx programmes and supplier engagements. Working closely with Category Managers, Supply Chain leaders, and cross-functional stakeholders, you will play a pivotal role in strengthening supply chain capability, onboarding new suppliers, and ensuring resilience to support current and future business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Sourcing

• Lead and deliver sourcing activities aligned to category and domain strategies, ensuring compliance with the procurement policies and best practices.
• Support initiatives to expand and strengthen the supplier network.
• Conduct detailed spend, segmentation, market, and future demand analysis to support sourcing decisions.
• Utilise strategic procurement tools and methodologies, including Kraljic and Porter's frameworks.
• Present sourcing recommendations to senior stakeholders, clearly articulating outcomes, rationale, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Partner with Supply Chain Managers to lead supplier development activities, providing commercial expertise alongside technical capability.

Contract Development & Negotiation

• Apply a sound understanding of English Contract Law within procurement activities.
• Evaluate supplier proposals and commercial discussions to secure the optimum commercial outcome.
• Draft, negotiate, and implement appropriate commercial agreements.
• Develop and lead negotiation strategies to support business objectives.
• Identify and deliver targeted cost-saving and value improvement initiatives.

Risk Management

• Identify and assess supplier-related risks across the supply chain.
• Manage risks in accordance with company policies, processes, and governance requirements.
• Develop and present risk mitigation plans to gain stakeholder support and approval.

Change Management

• Coordinate the successful onboarding of new suppliers, ensuring effective transition and handover from incumbent suppliers in collaboration with multi-functional teams.
• Support Procurement-led continuous improvement and transformational initiatives across the organisation.

What do you need?

• Proven experience leading complex sourcing and RFx activities within procurement or supply chain environments.
• CIPS qualified, or able to demonstrate equivalent procurement experience.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in contract negotiation, supplier management, and cost optimisation.
• Knowledge of sourcing strategies across the product lifecycle, from new product introduction through to production and sustainment.
• Proficient in procurement tools and methodologies, including supplier segmentation, market analysis, and strategic sourcing frameworks.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret cost models, identify value opportunities, and drive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) improvements.

Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship

Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by our clients Security Team.

More about the role:

For more than 70 years, our client has been in a strong partnership with the UK military. They have accomplished numerous milestones in defence engineering and have provided essential defence capabilities to meet the requirements of the armed forces across land, sea, and air.

This role is based at our client's headquarters in Stevenage, a key location for missile operations. The site offers excellent transportation links, an onsite gym, and a coffee shop.