Purchasing & Inventory Manager in Portsmouth

Location: Any DMS-NG Site (Clyde, Portsmouth or Devonport)

Salary: Competitive salary plus excellent benefits

Schedule: Full-time - Travel across UK sites will be required.

Ready to impact a better future? As a Purchasing & Inventory Manager in our DMS-NG Asset Management team, you’ll lead purchasing, stores and inventory operations that support the maintenance and availability of critical maritime assets. You'll play a key role in modernising processes, embedding best practice, and helping teams work more effectively through innovation and continuous improvement. This is an opportunity to make a positive impact across a national defence programme. By improving inventory management, purchasing processes and system capability, your work will help ensure vessels have the materials and equipment they need to operate safely and efficiently. Working with colleagues across multiple sites, you'll help create impactful solutions that support operational readiness and contribute to a better future.

What you’ll do as a Purchasing & Inventory Manager

• Lead day-to-day purchasing, stores and inventory operations across the DMS-NG contract.
• Manage and develop a team of purchasing and stores professionals located across multiple service delivery areas.
• Act as the subject matter expert for inventory management, stock control and purchasing processes.
• Own and maintain company procedures for Purchasing and Inventory within the Integrated Management System (IMS).
• Champion the implementation of new processes, technologies and ways of working, including the Engineering and Asset Management System (SEAMS).
• Oversee inventory accuracy, stock audits, supplier spend and stock holdings while driving continuous improvement and best practice.

Does this sound like you? You’ll be a great fit for this role if you have…

• Experience managing engineering inventory systems and maintenance databases such as Maximo Application Suite or SAP.
• A strong background in technical stores, inventory management and purchasing operations.
• Experience managing the end-to-end procurement process within a digital environment.
• Proven people management experience, with the ability to lead, motivate and develop teams.
• Excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trust and collaborative relationships across diverse teams.

Vetting And Checks

This role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance, which involves verifying your identity, employment history, nationality, and criminal record to meet government security standards. In addition, depending on the nature of the role, you may need to obtain formal Security Clearance (such as CTC or SC), which includes more detailed background checks on employment, criminal record, and financial history to ensure suitability for working in secure environments. Please note that UK residency requirements may apply for certain levels of clearance. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire so we can identify and provide any support you may need to undertake the role effectively.

Discover all you need to keep growing

We’re one of the top 1% of international employers, so you can have confidence you’ll be part of a highly supportive culture with leaders you can count on to help you achieve your goals. From mentoring and training to our focus on internal progression, we’re proud to offer clear development opportunities – and the support and tools to help you seize them.

What We Offer

• Holidays: Up to 25 days plus bank holidays
• Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Training and development: Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
• Health and wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
• Discounts: Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
• Charity: Paid volunteering day, tax‑free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
• Employee networks: Our networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans, and people from all cultural backgrounds.

A Little Bit About Us

At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our Inclusive Recruitment Commitment

We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.

Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).