At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategy and optimise supplier performance in shipbuilding operations.
- Company: Join Navantia UK, a leader in naval shipbuilding with over 300 years of heritage.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive workplace, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence and offshore energy sectors while shaping procurement excellence.
- Qualifications: Extensive procurement experience in heavy industries and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Navantia UK is a UK incorporated company, subsidiary of Spanish Navantia, created to work with UK industrial partners in shipbuilding, defence and in offshore wind energy.
With a history that goes back more than 300 hundred years, Navantia is a world reference in the design, building, integration and life cycle support of state‑of‑the‑art war ships for the Spanish Navy and international customers and has extensive experience in To T programmes.
Job Description
Navantia UK is a UK‑incorporated subsidiary of Navantia S.
A., a global leader in naval shipbuilding, defence systems integration, and advanced maritime technologies.
With more than 300 years of shipbuilding heritage, Navantia delivers state‑of‑the‑art naval platforms, lifecycle support, and complex industrial transformation programmes worldwide.
Navantia UK works in partnership with UK industry to strengthen sovereign shipbuilding capability and deliver major defence and offshore energy programmes.
Role Purpose
The Corporate Procurement Manager is the senior leader responsible for setting the strategic direction, governance, and operational excellence of procurement across all UK shipbuilding operations.
This role provides authoritative leadership in standardising procurement processes, optimising supplier performance, and ensuring commercial robustness across multi‑site, high‑value, and complex programmes.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and lead the corporate procurement strategy for UK shipbuilding operations, ensuring alignment with business growth plans, programme requirements, and corporate objectives.
- Establish, enforce, and continuously enhance procurement governance frameworks, policies, and standards across all UK sites.
- Ensure full compliance with UK regulatory requirements, defence industry standards, export controls, and contractual obligations.
- Champion standardisation, process optimisation, and continuous improvement across the procurement function.
- Provide strategic guidance to senior leadership on market conditions, supply chain risks, and commercial opportunities.
- Strategic Sourcing & Contract Management
- Lead high‑value sourcing activities, including RFQs, ITTs, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and contract awards for complex shipbuilding and defence programmes.
- Develop and execute category strategies that deliver cost competitiveness, supply chain resilience, and long‑term value creation.
- Negotiate complex commercial agreements, ensuring alignment with legal, technical, and programme requirements.
- Oversee the resolution of supplier disputes, claims, and escalations, safeguarding company interests and programme outcomes.
- Establish and maintain supplier segmentation models, approved supplier lists, and risk management frameworks.
- Lead strategic supplier performance programmes, including audits, scorecards, capability assessments, and improvement plans.
- Build and maintain high‑value supplier partnerships that support innovation, industrial collaboration, and operational resilience.
- Monitor supplier performance across quality, delivery, cost, capacity, and compliance metrics.
- Operational Procurement & Supply Chain Integration
- Ensure procurement activities fully support engineering, production, logistics, and programme delivery schedules.
- Oversee materials availability, logistics coordination, warehousing interfaces, and supply chain performance across multiple sites.
- Support bid and proposal activities with competitive sourcing strategies and market intelligence.
- Drive cost optimisation, value engineering, and supply chain efficiency initiatives across all programmes.
- Systems, Data & Performance Management
- Lead the implementation and optimisation of ERP systems (including SAP) and document management platforms such as Open Text.
- Develop and maintain procurement KPIs, dashboards, and reporting tools to drive transparency and performance improvement.
- Provide data‑driven insights to support executive decision‑making and strategic planning.
- Leadership & People Management
- Lead, inspire, and develop procurement teams across multiple UK locations, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and collaboration.
- Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, succession planning, and capability development.
- Ensure compliance with employment legislation, wellbeing initiatives, and equality, diversity, and inclusion standards.
- Support employee relations activities, including grievance resolution and union engagement where required.
Qualifications
- Extensive procurement leadership experience within shipbuilding, defence, engineering, construction, manufacturing, or other heavy industry sectors.
- Strong expertise in procurement governance, strategic sourcing, contract management, and supplier relationship management.
- Proven track record of leading complex RFQ/ITT processes and negotiating high‑value commercial agreements.
- Experience with ERP systems (preferably SAP) and procurement management tools.
- Strong commercial acumen with excellent analytical, negotiation, and problem‑solving skills.
- Demonstrated leadership experience in multi‑site, complex, or international environments.
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cross‑functional collaboration.
- Strong understanding of employment legislation, people management, and organisational development.
- Experience in defence, maritime, naval, or shipbuilding environments.
- Knowledge of Open Text or similar document management systems.
- Experience leading procurement transformation, integration, or business improvement programmes.
- Postholder Responsibilities
- Make strategic decisions affecting major programme outcomes and supplier relationships.
- Interpret business and market intelligence to shape procurement strategy.
- Resolve complex supply chain challenges through proactive leadership and stakeholder engagement.
- Lead cross‑functional initiatives involving suppliers, customers, and senior management.
- Primarily office‑based with regular travel to UK sites and supplier locations.
- Occasional overnight travel may be required.
- Working hours may extend beyond standard schedules to meet programme demands.
- Additional Information
- All candidates will need to complete BPSS security clearance as part of the onboarding process.
We are an Opening Doors employer, committed to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace.
Our approach, shaped by our values of service, trust, excellence, agility, dedication, and you, we focus on removing barriers and recognising potential.
We are committed to fairness at every stage, including providing reasonable adjustments and actively working to eliminate discrimination.
If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role online please contact us at people. skills@harland-wolff. com and one of the team will be in contact to help you.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Corporate Procurement Manager in Bristol employer: Navantia Group
Navantia UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that champions innovation and collaboration within the naval shipbuilding sector. With a strong commitment to employee development and a culture rooted in the STEADY values of Service, Trust, Excellence, Agility, Dedication, and You, employees are empowered to grow their careers while contributing to significant defence and offshore energy programmes. Located in the UK, the company provides unique opportunities for strategic leadership in procurement, ensuring that team members play a vital role in shaping the future of maritime technologies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Corporate Procurement Manager in Bristol
✨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 Navantia Group.
✨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 Corporate Procurement Manager in Bristol
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 Navantia Group:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Navantia Group. 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 Navantia Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at Navantia Group
✨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 Navantia Group!
✨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 Navantia Group. 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 Navantia Group's culture.
