At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead supplier development and enhance supply chain resilience in a dynamic engineering environment.
- Company: Join a leading engineering organisation focused on innovation and quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, competitive pension, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Collaborate with cross-functional teams and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a strategic impact on supplier capabilities and support high-specification product delivery.
- Qualifications: Experience in supplier development or procurement with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced supply chain professional with a background in supplier development, procurement, or manufacturing? We are supporting a leading engineering organisation in the search for a Supplier Development Lead to join their team, helping to strengthen supplier capability, improve resilience, and support the delivery of complex, high-specification products within a regulated manufacturing environment. This is an opportunity to play a strategic role in developing a high-performing supply base, working closely with procurement, manufacturing, engineering, quality, and programme teams to ensure suppliers are capable, compliant, and ready to support current and future business requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the supplier onboarding and approval process, ensuring suppliers meet quality, capability, financial, and compliance requirements.
- Conduct supplier capability and capacity assessments to evaluate readiness for current and future programmes.
- Develop and manage supplier improvement plans, working collaboratively to enhance quality, delivery performance, and operational capability.
- Support procurement and programme teams by identifying supplier risks and validating supplier readiness ahead of contract award.
- Assess suppliers supporting outsourced manufacturing activities, ensuring capability, capacity, and quality standards are met.
- Identify and manage supplier risks including capacity constraints, financial stability, and single-source dependencies.
- Support the development of a resilient and capable supply base aligned to long-term business growth and manufacturing strategy.
- Maintain supplier development records, produce reports, and contribute to continuous improvement of supplier governance processes.
- Build effective relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders across procurement, quality, engineering, manufacturing, and programme teams.
Candidate Requirements:
- Previous experience within supplier development, procurement, supply chain, or manufacturing environments.
- Strong understanding of supplier capability assessment, supplier performance management, or supplier quality processes.
- Experience working with cross-functional teams to improve supplier performance and mitigate supply chain risk.
- Knowledge of quality management systems and supplier governance processes.
- Commercial awareness with the ability to balance quality, cost, delivery, and risk considerations.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence both internally and externally.
- Experience using ERP or MRP systems would be advantageous.
Desirable Experience:
- Experience within defence, aerospace, heavy engineering, manufacturing, or other highly regulated industries.
- Professional procurement qualifications such as CIPS or MCIPS.
- Experience supporting outsourced manufacturing, machining, fabrication, or specialist engineering supply chains.
- Knowledge of supplier audits, capability assessments, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Benefits / Wider Package:
- 33 days annual leave including bank holidays
- Competitive pension package with up to 13% combined contribution and immediate enrolment
- Free onsite parking and access to employee fitness facilities
- Flexible working arrangements with adaptable start and finish times around core business hours
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be able to satisfy any applicable security or background screening requirements associated with the role.
Supplier Development Lead in Woking employer: Morson Edge
Join a forward-thinking engineering firm in Manchester, where as a Senior Electrical Designer, you will thrive in a collaborative and innovative work culture. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to mentor junior designers while working on significant projects across Water and Nuclear sectors, all within a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Enjoy competitive salary packages and the chance to contribute to impactful engineering solutions in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supplier Development Lead in Woking
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Morson Edge.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Supplier Development Lead in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Morson Edge:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Morson Edge. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Morson Edge.
How to prepare for a job interview at Morson Edge
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Morson Edge!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Morson Edge. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Morson Edge's culture.
