Job Description:

Bedfordshire
Full Time | 37.5 Hours Per Week
Hybrid Working | 4-Day Working Week

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Procurement Specialist to join a leading advanced engineering and manufacturing organisation supporting complex, high-technology programmes for UK and international customers.

Working within a dynamic Supply Chain function, you will be responsible for managing supplier performance, driving procurement activities, and ensuring the successful delivery of critical engineering products and services across multiple programmes.

This position offers a highly attractive 4-day working week (Monday to Thursday) alongside a hybrid working arrangement.

The Role

As a Senior Procurement Specialist, you will play a key role in managing strategic supplier relationships and delivering procurement excellence across a range of engineering commodities. You will work closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Programme teams to ensure suppliers meet delivery, cost, quality, and technical requirements.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing strategic, critical, and tactical supplier relationships
• Leading end-to-end sourcing activities including RFQs, tender evaluations, negotiations, and contract awards
• Monitoring supplier performance and implementing corrective actions where required
• Managing supply chain risk and developing mitigation strategies
• Acting as the primary interface between suppliers and internal stakeholders
• Managing supplier agreements and purchase orders in line with governance requirements
• Supporting bids, proposals, and programme reviews
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives across procurement and the wider supply chain

About You

We are looking for a commercially minded procurement professional with strong supplier management experience within an engineering or manufacturing environment.

You will ideally have:

• Experience procuring complex engineered products such as mechanical assemblies, PCB assemblies, fabrications and machined components
• Proven experience managing strategic supplier relationships and resolving complex delivery and cost challenges
• Strong negotiation and commercial management skills
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication abilities
• Experience identifying and mitigating supply chain risks
• A track record of working within established procurement processes and governance frameworks
• The ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities effectively
• A passion for continuous improvement

Desirable Experience

• Defence, aerospace, or highly regulated industry experience
• Bid and proposal support experience
• CIPS qualification or working towards
• Full UK driving licence

What's on Offer

• 4-day working week
• Hybrid working model
• Opportunity to work on complex, cutting-edge engineering programmes
• Collaborative and supportive working environment
• Career development within a growing organisation
• Competitive salary and benefits package

Security Requirements

Due to the nature of the work, successful candidates will be required to obtain Security Clearance (SC). Applicants must therefore be eligible to undergo UK security vetting.

Apply now to join a high-performing procurement team supporting innovative engineering and manufacturing programmes that make a real impact.

Who This Role Could Suit

This opportunity would be ideal for an experienced procurement professional looking to take the next step in their career or already operating at a senior level within a manufacturing, engineering, aerospace, defence, automotive, or highly regulated environment.

Candidates currently working in roles such as:

Senior Buyer, Purchasing Specialist, Procurement Specialist, Strategic Buyer, Commodity Specialist, Commodity Manager, Sourcing Specialist, Sourcing Manager, Category Buyer, Supply Chain Specialist

will likely possess many of the skills and experience required for success in this position.

The role is particularly suited to individuals with experience managing engineered products and supplier relationships, leading sourcing activities, negotiating commercial agreements, and working closely with engineering and operational stakeholders to deliver complex programmes.