Procurement Specialist (Maternity Cover) in Reading

Volution Ventilation UK is a leader in manufacturing sustainable ventilation systems dedicated to improving indoor air quality while prioritising environmental responsibility. Our mission is to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers and comply with the highest standards of health and safety.

Fixed Term Contract – up to 12 months (maternity cover)

Hours of work: 37.5

Location: Reading/Swindon. Travel required to other sites.

Role profile: As the Procurement Specialist, you will provide key support to the UK Head of Procurement, who oversees Procurement activity across seven operating companies within Volution Ventilation UK (VVUK). Ideally, you will have experience within manufacturing, HVAC, engineering, industrial manufacturing sectors or multi-site environments, but for the right candidate this is not essential. The role holds responsibility for Direct & Indirect Procurement spend across all VVUK brands and involves regular collaboration with site and functional teams to lead cross-functional, multi-site sourcing initiatives, ensuring all stakeholder requirements are effectively captured, monitored, measured, and delivered.

Key deliverables:

• Act as a Procurement representative, providing support to the business, building strong working relationships with stakeholders, which may require regular site visits and interaction, while educating stakeholders on Procurement best practices to deliver category objectives.
• Lead supplier management and sourcing activities, including researching, identifying and evaluating prospective suppliers, carrying out supplier appraisals, negotiating terms, and participating in supplier KPI reviews to ensure effective service levels and ongoing supplier performance.
• Work independently, or in conjunction with internal functions (e.g. Technical, Quality Assurance, Finance, and Supply Chain), to monitor, measure, analyse, and report on supplier performance, resolving issues and concerns, including travel to key suppliers at short notice to resolve emerging supply chain problems.
• Deliver cost management activities, including analysing costs, identifying opportunities for process improvement, managing Material and Purchase Price Variances, and identifying, implementing, tracking, and reporting cost saving initiatives monthly.
• Support Procurement operations through preparation of contracts, effective tender management, and ensuring all activities align with Procurement Strategy, policies, and procedures, while managing Procurement platforms and data accuracy.
• Liaise with key stakeholders to understand product and service needs, ensuring effective support and guidance, while developing strong, long-term relationships with both internal stakeholders and strategic supply partners.
• Drive continuous improvement and sourcing strategy development, including analysing industry and demand trends, improving processes, supporting sustainability initiatives, and ensuring sourcing activities deliver cost-effective outcomes within agreed timescales.

Experience:

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar Procurement role
• Strong understanding of purchasing strategies, systems, processes, and Procurement best practice
• Highly numerate with strong analytical skills and confident use of MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Strong negotiation, influencing, and persuasion skills, with the ability to operate effectively at senior stakeholder level
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships
• Strong planning and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously
• Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to work independently and make sound decisions
• Flexible and willing to travel between UK sites on a regular basis
• Effective team player, able to work collaboratively as well as independently
• Approachable and adaptable, able to respond effectively to changing priorities and business needs

Desirable, but not essential:

• Experience within a multi-site manufacturing environment
• Procurement experience within the HVAC/ventilation industry
• Exposure to Procurement process improvement or implementation projects
• Experience using e-Procurement tools or systems
• MCIPS qualified or working towards MCIPS (or equivalent)
• Experience using ERP systems such as Epicor

If you are a proactive Procurement professional looking for a varied and hands-on role within a multi-site manufacturing environment, we’d love to hear from you.