At a Glance
- Tasks: Support forward sourcing activities and manage RFQs, supplier negotiations, and award processes.
- Company: Join a well-established global manufacturing and engineering organisation focused on innovation-driven environments.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, BUPA healthcare, and a pension plan.
- Other info: The position is office-based in the Chelmsford area.
- Why this job: This role offers a chance to influence product development and supply chain strategy in international projects.
- Qualifications: Requires a degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline with procurement experience.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 £ per year.
We are currently partnering with a well‑established global manufacturing and engineering organisation who are looking to appoint a Product Purchasing Specialist to join their growing Global Procurement team. Our client operates within a highly technical, innovation‑driven environment where early supplier involvement and strategic sourcing play a critical role in product development success. They work closely with R&D, engineering and operations teams to ensure materials, components and supplier strategies are aligned from initial concept through to end‑of‑life.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a strong procurement or engineering background who enjoys working at the interface of product development and supply chain strategy, contributing to cost optimisation, supplier selection and time‑to‑market improvements within international projects. In role, you will play a key role in supporting procurement activity across the full product lifecycle. You will work closely with cross‑functional teams and global stakeholders to ensure effective sourcing strategies are implemented from early development through to series production and product phase‑out. You will also contribute to supplier evaluation, cost control initiatives and procurement reporting within innovation projects. The role is based in the Chelmsford area and is an office based role.
Key Responsibilities
- Support forward sourcing activities from early concept through to end‑of‑life product phases
- Manage RFQs, supplier negotiations and award processes in alignment with category strategies
- Support cost estimation, cost control and cost optimisation activities within innovation projects
- Coordinate and implement procurement planning, scheduling and supplier engagement activities
- Involve suppliers early in the development process to support innovation and technical alignment
- Support make‑or‑buy analysis, platform concepts and standardisation initiatives
- Prepare procurement documentation in line with internal standards (e.g. risk analysis, SCM concepts)
- Maintain and update ERP master data relating to sourcing activities
- Request and track material compliance documentation from suppliers
- Provide reporting on sourcing activities, KPIs and project procurement performance
Experience Required
- Degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Engineering or related discipline
- Experience in international sourcing, supply chain or product development environments
- Understanding of strategic purchasing and project‑based procurement
- Exposure to forward sourcing or early‑stage procurement activity
- Experience working in project environments (ideally with R&D or engineering teams)
- Strong analytical skills with a structured and methodical approach
- Confident communication skills across technical and non‑technical stakeholders
Salary £40,000–£45,000
Benefits
- 25 days holiday
- BUPA healthcare
- Pension
Forward Sourcing Engineer employer: Trades Workforce Solutions
Work for a global leader in manufacturing and engineering, located in Chelmsford. The team values early supplier involvement and strategic sourcing, ensuring alignment from concept to end-of-life. Enjoy comprehensive benefits including BUPA healthcare and a generous holiday allowance.
Contact Details:
Trades Workforce Solutions Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Forward Sourcing Engineer
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.
✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.
✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities
Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you spot a position at Trades Workforce Solutions, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of Forward Sourcing Engineer.
We think you need these skills to ace Forward Sourcing Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!
Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at Trades Workforce Solutions. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!
Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research Trades Workforce Solutions and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Trades Workforce Solutions
✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management
Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!
✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at Trades Workforce Solutions.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Trades Workforce Solutions
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Trades Workforce Solutions might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!
