At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies for major defence and manufacturing projects.
- Company: Leading international consultancy in programme management and delivery.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on high-profile capital investment programmes.
- Qualifications: Extensive procurement experience and degree in relevant field required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Sector: Major Defence Manufacturing Programme
Location: East Midlands | Hybrid Working
Duration: 12 month+ contract
About the Client
Our client is a leading international consultancy and delivery partner specialising in programme management, project controls, commercial management, cost consultancy and construction delivery services. Operating across major infrastructure, defence, transportation, manufacturing, aviation, energy and property sectors, the organisation supports some of the UK's most complex and high-profile capital investment programmes. With a strong reputation for delivering large-scale projects from concept through to completion, the business provides integrated advisory and delivery solutions that help clients manage risk, optimise performance and achieve successful project outcomes. Their teams work collaboratively with public and private sector organisations, offering expertise in programme leadership, commercial strategy, cost management, procurement, planning and project governance.
The Opportunity
An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced procurement leader to join a nationally significant defence infrastructure and advanced manufacturing programme. As Associate Procurement Director, you will provide strategic leadership across procurement, supply chain management and commercial delivery activities, supporting the development and execution of a multi-billion-pound capital investment programme. Working closely with client leadership, programme directors, commercial teams and delivery partners, you will play a critical role in shaping procurement strategies, delivery models and market engagement activities that support successful programme outcomes. This position will operate at senior leadership level and will influence key investment decisions, procurement governance and supply chain strategy throughout project development and delivery. The role is ideally suited to an individual with significant experience leading procurement functions on major infrastructure, defence, nuclear, energy, transportation, industrial manufacturing or similarly regulated programmes.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Procurement Leadership
- Lead the development and implementation of programme-wide procurement and supply chain strategies.
- Provide strategic procurement advice to programme leadership, client stakeholders and governance boards.
- Establish procurement governance frameworks, policies and assurance processes.
- Early Contractor Involvement (ECI)
- Lead procurement support during ECI and pre-construction phases.
- Influence contractor selection strategies and procurement approaches.
- Support the development of collaborative delivery models and target cost arrangements.
- Drive early supply chain engagement to improve certainty, affordability and programme outcomes.
- Commercial & Contract Leadership
- Collaborate with commercial and legal teams to develop procurement and contract strategies.
- Advise on risk allocation, supplier obligations and contractual structures.
- Support target cost development and major contract negotiations.
- Ensure procurement decisions align with programme affordability and value-for-money objectives.
- Governance, Risk & Assurance
- Lead procurement governance and assurance activities across the programme.
- Identify and manage strategic procurement and supply chain risks.
- Develop mitigation plans for critical procurement challenges and market constraints.
- Stakeholder & Client Leadership
- Act as the senior procurement representative across the programme.
- Build trusted relationships with executive stakeholders, programme directors and delivery partners.
- Support business case development, investment approvals and strategic decision-making.
- Represent the programme externally with suppliers, contractors and industry partners.
Essential Experience
- Extensive experience leading procurement and supply chain functions on major capital projects and programmes.
- Proven experience operating at Senior Manager, Associate Director, Director or Head of Procurement level.
- Strong experience developing procurement strategies for large-scale infrastructure, construction, engineering or manufacturing projects.
Desirable Experience
- Defence, nuclear, aerospace, manufacturing, transportation, energy or utilities sector experience.
- Experience supporting projects during Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phases.
- Experience supporting programmes valued in excess of £500 million.
- Familiarity with government procurement frameworks and regulated procurement environments.
Qualifications
- Degree qualified in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Commercial Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline.
- MCIPS qualification highly desirable.
Security Requirements
- BPSS Clearance required or ability to obtain.
- Active SC Clearance highly desirable.
Associate Procurement Director in Derby employer: People Group Limited
As a leading international consultancy in the East Midlands, our client offers an exceptional work environment for the Associate Procurement Director role, characterised by a strong commitment to employee development and collaboration. With a focus on major defence manufacturing programmes, employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements, competitive remuneration, and the opportunity to influence significant capital investment projects that shape the future of infrastructure. The company fosters a culture of innovation and teamwork, ensuring that every team member has the chance to grow professionally while contributing to high-profile projects that make a real impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Procurement Director in Derby
✨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 Associate Procurement Director in Derby
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 People Group Limited 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, People Group Limited 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 People Group Limited 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 People Group Limited 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 People Group Limited
✨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.
