At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage procurement projects in the defence and aerospace industry.
- Company: Join Ultra Precision Control Systems, a leader in mission-critical equipment.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, inclusive culture, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace that values every team member's contribution.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in safety and mission-critical challenges while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and project management within complex engineering environments.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Ultra Precision Control Systems (PCS) is a leading developer of mission and safety critical equipment in the defence and aerospace industry. Our team of experts are at the heart of our success, which is why we are dedicated to fostering a safe working environment and a positive culture where every staff member feels valued and respected.
We solve our customers' problems, providing engineering solutions to safety and mission critical challenges in the air and on the ground. Our solutions can be found in the latest military aircraft and vehicles, in civil aircraft, and in unmanned vehicles.
Flexible Working: Wherever possible, we will consider a variety of working options to suit your lifestyle, whether that be hybrid home/office working, flexible working and part or full time employment.
Job Description: Ultra Precision Control Systems (PCS) are looking for a NPI & Bid Manager to join the Supply Chain Function to lead and manage the Projects & Bid category. In this role you will lead a Project Procurement team delivering world-class procurement capabilities, partnering with internal stakeholders to ensure they receive maximum value for all money spent with suppliers. This is accomplished by executing effective strategies, which include supplier engaged DFM activity, supplier management and sourcing decisions.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead & develop the project & bid team.
- Provide status updates on projects and ensure that business priorities are met.
- Ensure that parameters and agreements are in place for new product being transferred to production.
- Identify & establish long term supplier partners focusing on the “total cost” of supply, thus establishing mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Align with category managers to reduce supplier base and ensure suppliers are of the correct size and exhibit the expected behaviours and product output (to quality and on time).
- Ensure the team are agile & continually evaluate and monitor market conditions and adjust sourcing strategies accordingly.
- Ensure, through production readiness reviews and capacity plans, that each supplier in the product categories has the ability to meet their commitments and deliver production volumes.
- Identify, present and influence Technology Enablement solutions to drive efficiency.
- Ensure the NPI & Bid team are supporting and influencing future new designs with Engineering, utilising intelligence and capabilities from our supply chain.
- Maximising the DFM & DFT opportunities to reduce the design cycle, remove costs and thus deliver efficient designs.
- Collaborate & Influence with the equivalent leads in operations, quality, engineering, PM and other functions to meet the business objectives.
- Implement make buy strategies, resulting in “turnkey” supplier solutions, reducing lead times & cost caused by internal processing.
- Continuously identify & deliver efficiency & cost savings.
- Report monthly to Head of Sourcing & Resilience on initiatives, opportunities, risks, objective.
Required Skills & Experience:
- Leadership & Management: Proven experience leading and developing multi-disciplinary procurement or project sourcing teams within a complex engineering or manufacturing environment.
- Procurement & Commercial Expertise: Extensive experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and category strategy development, ideally within Aerospace, Defence, or other highly regulated sectors.
- Technical & Project Delivery: Deep understanding of New Product Introduction (NPI) and Bid processes, with experience supporting design-for-manufacture (DFM) and design-for-test (DFT) activities.
- Analytical & Strategic Capability: Highly analytical with the ability to interpret market trends, risk factors, and supplier performance data to inform sourcing strategies.
Other Requirements:
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to present confidently to senior leadership.
- Strong understanding of compliance, governance, and intellectual property requirements within a defence or aerospace context.
- Nationality Requirements: Candidates must be able to work in the UK without restrictions in accordance with UK National Law and be prepared to successfully undertake an appropriate level of UK National Security Vetting according to UK Government National Security Vetting criteria.
Diverse & Inclusive Employer: Ultra PCS is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity, inclusion, equity and equality. We promote a workplace that welcomes people from all backgrounds and cultures; believing that this will increase our diversity of thinking, and ultimately ensure we continue delivering on our commitments to our customers.
Summary: Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, UK. Type: Full time.
NPI & Bid Manager employer: Ultra Electronics Group
Ultra Electronics Group is an exceptional employer that values innovation and collaboration, offering a dynamic work environment in Greenford. With flexible hours, hybrid working options, and an annual bonus, employees enjoy a healthy work-life balance while having opportunities for professional growth and mentorship. The supportive culture fosters teamwork and encourages engineers to develop their skills, making it a rewarding place to advance your career.
