Strategic Procurement Specialist in Ulverston

To support the procurement function by sourcing and purchasing goods and services, managing supplier relationships, negotiating commercial agreements, and ensuring materials and services are obtained at the best total value while meeting quality, delivery, inventory, and compliance requirements. The role will drive supply continuity through strategic supplier partnerships, including Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) programs and fixed-term pricing agreements.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers to meet business requirements.
• Lead RFQ, RFP, and tender activities.
• Negotiate pricing, rebates, payment terms, and service agreements.
• Establish and manage fixed-term pricing agreements to reduce cost volatility and improve budget accuracy.
• Monitor commodity and market trends to identify pricing risks and opportunities.
• Deliver measurable cost savings and value improvement initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• Drive continuous improvement activities with key suppliers.
• Resolve supplier performance issues relating to quality, service, cost, and delivery.
• Conduct regular supplier business reviews and performance assessments.
• Develop supplier scorecards and KPI reporting.
• Develop, implement, and manage Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) agreements with strategic suppliers.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to determine inventory parameters, replenishment methodologies, and service level targets.
• Ensure continuity of supply through robust supplier planning and risk mitigation strategies.
• Support Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes through supplier collaboration and demand alignment.
• Analyse and communicate procurement, inventory, supplier, and operational performance data to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and improvement actions.
• Develop and maintain ownership of key procurement and operational performance metrics, ensuring supplier and internal performance is measured, reviewed, and improved against agreed targets.
• Influence and engage stakeholders at all levels of the organisation to support decision-making, resolve supply challenges, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide effective cross-functional leadership, working collaboratively across Supply Chain, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Finance, and Sales teams to align procurement activities with wider business objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

• CIPS / MCIPS qualified or working towards (desirable)

EXPERIENCE

• Established professional (at least 5 years) with extensive commercial acumen experience.
• Experience required of working with an ERP system, specifically MRP.
• A good working knowledge and understanding of Procurement within the Defence/Aerospace industry (or a similar sector) and ability to apply them with minimal supervision and direction.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Proactive, analytical, result orientated and willing to take on new challenges.
• Ability to build good working relationships with people at all levels internally and externally, and able to work to tight deadlines.
• Strong cross-functional leadership capabilities, exceptional communication and influencing skills, and a proactive approach to managing operational performance through the ownership and analysis of key procurement and supply chain metrics.
• Comfortable engaging with stakeholders at all levels and driving collaboration to achieve business objectives.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organisational skills and capable of working to tight deadlines.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Comfortable using data and tools (including Power BI) to support decision making.
• Strong operational awareness with the ability to understand, interpret, and drive performance through key operational and procurement metrics.
• Experience developing and using KPI dashboards and performance reporting tools to support data-driven decision-making.
• Ability to communicate complex commercial and supply chain issues clearly to both operational and senior leadership teams.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Whilst hybrid working is operational within this role with a mix of office and remote working, the role is predominately office based to support on-site manufacturing.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

All criteria detailed below are essential unless stated “D” (desirable). This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other reasonable duties requested by his or her supervisor, Manager or Director.

Criteria

• Education and qualifications
• Good standard of education, including GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics.
• Evidence of continued professional development within procurement, supply chain, or commercial disciplines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• CIPS Level 4 or above qualification. (D)
• MCIPS qualified or actively working towards MCIPS status. (D)
• Experience, knowledge and understanding
• Extensive commercial experience, including supplier negotiation, contract management, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Experience leading RFQ, RFP, tendering, and supplier selection processes.
• Experience developing and managing strategic supplier relationships.
• Experience working with ERP systems and Material Requirements Planning (MRP) processes.
• Strong understanding of procurement principles, supplier management, and supply chain best practice.
• Experience within the Defence, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Engineering, or similarly regulated sectors. (D)
• Skills
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills with the ability to achieve commercially advantageous outcomes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data and identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to engage and influence individuals at all levels of the organisation.
• Personal qualities and commitment
• Proactive and self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Results-oriented with a focus on delivering measurable business value.
• Highly analytical with a methodical approach to problem-solving and decision-making.
• Resilient and able to perform effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Other factors
• Willingness to travel occasionally to supplier sites, customer locations, or industry events as required.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of ethical procurement and compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to work flexibly to meet business needs and support critical supply chain activities.