Supply Chain Specialist

This is a procurement-focused role with responsibility for leading sourcing activity across engineering projects and New Product Introduction (NPI).

You will act as the Procurement Lead for assigned projects, working closely with Design Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Project Management and Strategic Sourcing teams to ensure suppliers, components and manufacturing capability are established ahead of product launch.

The role is ideally suited to a Strategic Buyer, Project Buyer, NPI Buyer or Senior Buyer with experience working within a complex engineering or manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

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• Take procurement ownership for multiple engineering and NPI projects.
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• Lead sourcing activity for prototype, pre-production and production components.
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• Develop and implement sourcing strategies aligned with project and manufacturing requirements.
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• Identify, assess and select suitable suppliers.
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• Lead supplier selection and sourcing reviews.
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• Prepare sourcing recommendations, supplier selection packs and commercial business cases.
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• Negotiate pricing, commercial terms and total acquisition costs with suppliers.
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• Ensure project sourcing activities meet agreed cost, quality and delivery targets.
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• Establish a capable and sustainable supply chain before new products move into production.
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• Work closely with Engineering to understand technical requirements, drawings, specifications and design changes.
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• Communicate new designs, engineering changes and evolving requirements to suppliers.
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• Act as the primary procurement contact for suppliers throughout project development.
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• Manage supplier actions, risks and delivery performance.
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• Visit suppliers where required during selection, development and onboarding.
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• Develop and maintain procurement project plans, milestones and critical path activities.
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• Track sourcing progress through project dashboards and provide regular updates to stakeholders.
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• Identify procurement and supplier risks early and implement appropriate mitigation plans.
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• Ensure purchasing activity and supplier information is accurately maintained within ERP/MRP systems.
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• Work collaboratively with Engineering, Manufacturing and Project teams to resolve commercial and supply chain issues.
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• Support continuous improvement across procurement and strategic sourcing processes.
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Candidate Profile

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience as a:

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• Strategic Buyer
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• Senior Buyer
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• Project Buyer
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• NPI Buyer
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• Commodity Buyer
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• Procurement Specialist
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• Technical Buyer
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Essential Experience

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• Strong procurement or purchasing experience within an engineering or manufacturing environment.
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• Proven experience sourcing technical, engineered or manufactured components.
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• Experience supporting NPI, engineering projects or new product development.
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• Strong supplier sourcing, selection and negotiation experience.
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• Commercially confident with experience negotiating cost and supplier terms.
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• Ability to manage procurement activities across multiple projects simultaneously.
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• Strong supplier and stakeholder management skills.
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• Experience working closely with Design and Manufacturing Engineering teams.
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• Good understanding of cost, quality, delivery and supplier performance.
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• Strong Excel and data analysis capability.
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• Experience using ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards or similar.
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• Able to work autonomously and take ownership of procurement decisions.
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Desirable

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• CIPS qualification or equivalent procurement experience.
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• Project or Programme Management experience.
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• HNC, HND, Degree or similar technical/engineering qualification.
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• Experience within a high-value, low-volume or technically complex manufacturing environment.
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What We Are Looking For

The successful candidate will be commercially strong, technically comfortable and able to operate as the procurement lead within multidisciplinary project teams.

You should be confident engaging with engineers and suppliers, challenging cost and sourcing decisions, negotiating commercially and ensuring the right supply chain is established before products reach production.

This is much more than an operational purchasing role and would suit someone who enjoys strategic sourcing, project procurement, supplier development and NPI buying.