At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and build strong supplier relationships in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a leading defence manufacturer making a real impact in procurement.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, autonomy, and the chance to shape procurement strategies.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our hiring process.
- Why this job: Make an immediate impact and influence procurement best practices.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strategic sourcing within manufacturing is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced procurement professional with a strong strategic background looking for a contract where you can make a real impact? Our client, a leading manufacturer within the defence sector, is looking to appoint a Strategic Procurement Specialist on an initial 6-month contract. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced procurement professional to take ownership of strategic sourcing activities, working alongside an established team of tactical and operational buyers to strengthen supplier performance, improve commercial outcomes and support long-term business objectives.
This is a stand‑alone strategic role, ideal for someone who enjoys influencing at all levels, building supplier partnerships and developing procurement strategies that deliver real value.
The Role
Reporting into senior leadership, you will be responsible for developing and implementing procurement strategies that support a complex manufacturing operation. You will act as the strategic procurement expert, complementing the work of the operational purchasing team and helping to shape the future direction of the supply chain.
- Developing and delivering strategic sourcing and category management plans.
- Identifying and implementing cost reduction and value improvement initiatives.
- Leading supplier negotiations and establishing long‑term commercial agreements.
- Building and managing strategic supplier relationships.
- Supporting and guiding the tactical and operational buying team on strategic procurement activities.
- Identifying and mitigating supply chain risks to ensure continuity of supply.
- Working closely with engineering, production, quality and planning functions to align procurement strategy with business needs.
- Driving supplier performance, innovation and continuous improvement.
About You
We are looking for someone who is commercially astute, influential and capable of operating independently while building strong relationships across the business. You’ll have:
- Significant procurement and strategic sourcing experience within a manufacturing environment (essential).
- Proven experience developing procurement strategies and delivering measurable commercial benefits.
- Strong negotiation, supplier relationship management and contract management skills.
- The confidence to work autonomously while influencing stakeholders across multiple functions.
- Excellent analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience within aerospace, automotive, defence or another highly regulated manufacturing environment would be advantageous.
What’s on Offer?
- Initial 6-month contract with the opportunity to make an immediate impact.
- A highly autonomous role with genuine strategic influence.
- The chance to shape procurement best practice within a successful defence manufacturer.
- Excellent rate of pay, dependent on experience.
Our commitment: Equal opportunities are important to us. We believe that diversity and inclusion at Morgan Ryder Associates are critical to our success as a DE&I positive company, so we want to recruit, develop, and keep the best talent. We encourage applications from everyone, regardless of background, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, ethnicity, belief, age, family or parental status, and any other characteristic.
Strategic Procurement Specialist employer: Morgan Ryder
As a leading manufacturer in the defence sector, our company offers an exceptional work environment where strategic procurement professionals can thrive. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and development, we provide opportunities to influence key business decisions while working alongside a dedicated team. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that every voice is valued, making this a rewarding place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Procurement Specialist
✨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 Strategic Procurement Specialist
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 Morgan Ryder 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, Morgan Ryder 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 Morgan Ryder 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 Morgan Ryder 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 Morgan Ryder
✨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.
