At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies and engage with suppliers on major defence projects.
- Company: Top international consultancy in defence and infrastructure sectors.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with a strong focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of advanced manufacturing in a high-profile defence programme.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement for major projects and relevant qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ 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 exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Procurement Manager to join a nationally significant defence infrastructure programme supporting the development of a major advanced manufacturing and production facility.
The successful candidate will be responsible for leading procurement strategy, supply chain engagement and package procurement activities across a complex, high-value capital project. Working closely with programme leadership, commercial teams, technical specialists and delivery partners, the role will support the development and implementation of procurement solutions that maximise value, manage risk and ensure successful project delivery.
The position will play a key role during project development and Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phases, helping to shape delivery strategies, market engagement activities and procurement packaging approaches. This role is ideally suited to an individual with major project experience within defence, nuclear, infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, rail or other highly regulated sectors.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and implementation of procurement strategies aligned with programme objectives.
- Support procurement planning across multiple project workstreams and contract packages.
- Develop procurement roadmaps, sourcing strategies and supply chain engagement plans.
- Provide strategic procurement advice to programme leadership and client stakeholders.
- Lead market engagement activities and supplier qualification processes.
- Develop strong relationships with key contractors, consultants, manufacturers and specialist suppliers.
- Monitor market capacity, supplier performance and emerging procurement risks.
- Drive supply chain collaboration and innovation initiatives.
- Support procurement activities during ECI phases.
- Work closely with project and commercial teams to inform delivery models and packaging strategies.
- Support value engineering and cost optimisation initiatives through effective supply chain engagement.
- Collaborate with commercial and legal teams on contract strategy and risk allocation.
- Contribute to target cost development and commercial governance activities.
- Ensure procurement decisions support programme affordability and value-for-money objectives.
- Identify procurement risks, constraints and opportunities.
- Build strong working relationships with client teams, project leadership, commercial managers and delivery partners.
Essential Experience
- Proven experience leading procurement activities on major construction, infrastructure, engineering or industrial projects.
- Experience working collaboratively with project, commercial and technical teams.
Desirable Experience
- Defence, nuclear, aerospace, manufacturing, rail, utilities or energy sector experience.
- Experience supporting major projects during Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phases.
- Experience procuring major construction, engineering, manufacturing or specialist equipment packages.
- Experience supporting projects valued in excess of £250 million.
Qualifications
- Degree, HNC, HND or equivalent qualification in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Commercial Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Construction Management or related discipline.
- Membership of a recognised professional institution such as CIPS, RICS, CIOB or equivalent.
Security Requirements
- BPSS Clearance required or ability to obtain.
- Active SC Clearance highly desirable.
Senior Procurement Manager in Derby employer: People Group Limited
As a leading international consultancy in the East Midlands, our client offers an exceptional work environment for a Senior Procurement Manager, 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 opportunities to engage in high-profile projects that shape the future of infrastructure and defence. The company fosters a culture of innovation and teamwork, ensuring that every team member can contribute meaningfully to complex projects while advancing their professional skills.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Procurement Manager 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 Senior Procurement Manager 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.
