Procurement Lead

Procurement Lead Based: Maidenhead with hybrid working options available At Ultra I&C\’s Cyber business we have an exciting opening at our Cyber Centre of Excellence in Maidenhead. As the Procurement Lead, you will have direct line management of the Buyers and support all purchasing activities across the company to enable timely and cost-effective delivery from the supply chain. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain SC Security Clearance Key Responsibilities – Procurement Lead: * Obtain timely quotations from the supply chain * Purchase and expedite materials of the correct quality, at the agreed price and to the agreed delivery schedule * Work to the MRP requirements and request quotations for needed items * Place purchase orders at agreed price with approved suppliers selected from approved supplier listing in the ERP system * Input and process purchase orders in the ERP system * Obtain all necessary documentation and information to fulfil purchasing requirements * Reschedule purchase orders as per MRP recommendations * Liaise with the Quality Department on supplier quality, returns and new suppliers * Resolve supplier invoice queries promptly * Manage and mentor direct reports (Buyers) fostering collaboration, and driving performance * Liaise with Project Engineers and Project Managers to establish requirements * Identify, onboard and develop new suppliers * Build and maintain strong, mutually beneficial relationships with key suppliers * Analyse procurement data to identify trends, optimise costs and improve processes * Identify, assess and mitigate potential risks associated with procurement activities * Adhere to security protocol when liaising with the supply chain * Maintaining high ethical standards in all procurement activities * Perform any other related tasks as specified by the Commercial Director Required Knowledge, Skills and Experience – Procurement Lead: Essential: Proven experience as a successful buyer Strong supplier management skills, including monitoring KPIs and building effective relationships Securing favourable terms and pricing with suppliers Understanding of export control regulations Proficient in MS Office Good organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and work independently Ability to change focus with the needs of the business Effective communication skills with internal teams, suppliers, and other stakeholders Desirable: Experienced working with export control regulations Previous experience in a lead procurement role Previous experience in Aerospace and Defence, or a related industry Experienced in purchasing metalwork and/or Cable & Harness assemblies Worked in a NPI environment, preferably low volume but high complexity Qualifications: Degree in a relevant discipline including but not limited to procurement, economics, business, or equivalent experience Professional accreditation or certification in Supply Management (e.g. WCC or CIPS) Our Benefits Every employee is critical to our success, and as such, we offer a range of flexible employee benefits, including: * Annual Bonus * Private Medical Cover * 25 days’ holiday with the option to buy an extra 5 * Pension Contribution * 4 x Life Assurance Cover * Flexible working hours with a 1pm finish on a Friday * Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme, will writing and more Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement: At Ultra I&C, we are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusivity. Underpinned by our values, behaviours, and policies, we want you to feel empowered to be the best version of yourself. We also believe that people from different backgrounds and cultures will increase our diversity of thinking, ensuring we successfully deliver to our customers. We, therefore, do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We also support requests for flexible working arrangements wherever possible