Procurement Lead in Bedford

UTAC is a leading automotive and defence engineering, test and certification provider with a global footprint. The Group provides services and systems to customers in various sectors: mobility, transport, tyre, petrochemical, agriculture and defence industries. UTAC operates test centres and laboratories in France, the UK, USA, Finland, Morocco, and Germany; it has subsidiaries in China, Korea and Japan. UTAC employs around 1300 people across its various locations.

The Procurement Lead will be the responsible party managing a diverse range of procurement categories, from low-value operational purchases to multi-million-pound CapEx investments. This role is hands-on and will support both strategic and operational procurement activities — ensuring best value, compliance, and efficiency across the supply base. The position will champion two primary objectives:

• Annualised savings achievement, through strong commercial negotiation and category management.
• Supply chain consolidation and rationalisation, to improve quality, reduce cost base, and enhance resilience.

This role is well-suited to someone who shows initiative, numerical strength, and a desire to contribute significant business value.

Roles and responsibilities

• Lead the sourcing, negotiation, and management of indirect procurement categories across multiple UK and international stakeholders.
• Support and oversee CapEx procurement aligned with engineering and project requirements.
• Deliver measurable annualised cost savings targets and support supplier base optimisation.
• Drive supplier consolidation strategies to enhance quality, reduce complexity, and improve buying efficiency.
• Administer Purchase Orders, supplier onboarding, and data accuracy within ERP systems.
• Generate monthly procurement performance and spend reports; analyse data to identify opportunities.
• Manage supplier contract administration and compliance with internal governance standards.
• Proactively engage with internal project, engineering, operations, finance, and leadership teams.
• Maintain a strong focus on continuous improvement and support global procurement transformation initiatives.
• Foster a culture of accountability and high personal performance in alignment with company values.
• Support a wide variety of company initiatives and programmes to completion.

Person Specification

Skills & Experience

• Procurement or supply chain experience within a manufacturing, engineering, or regulated environment.
• Demonstrated negotiation skills and commercial awareness.
• Strong numeracy and analytical capability.
• Able to manage multiple simultaneous priorities with high levels of ownership.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive change.
• Experience in automotive, aerospace, defense, or industrial testing sectors.
• Familiarity with Oracle and/or Sage ERP platforms.
• Experience supporting CapEx procurement.
• CIPS qualification (or progression toward it).

Personal Behaviours

• Self-motivated and proactive — thrives in an environment of change.
• Confident communicator able to motivate and challenge the status quo.
• Detail-oriented, structured, and committed to accuracy.
• Strong relationship builder with a collaborative approach.
• Enjoys taking accountability for measurable outcomes.

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or relevant discipline preferred.
• Equivalent professional experience also valued.

Other

• Flexibility to travel as and when required.
• Full UK driving license.
• Willing to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check.

UTAC is proud to be an equal opportunities employer, valuing inclusion and supporting our people to be themselves and at their very best. By joining us you will gain access to a broad range of learning relevant to your role and personal development, as well as exposure to leading technologies and expertise. Our reward and benefit programmes are designed to support our people with competitive and locally tailored packages combined with support for individual health and wellbeing both inside and outside of work.