Category Sourcing Lead

Ultra; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in Cheltenham is seeking a Category Sourcing Lead on a 12 month Fixed Term Contract. This role involves leading procurement capabilities, establishing long-term supplier partnerships, and ensuring compliance with company terms. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in procurement, negotiation skills, and experience in supplier relationships. Candidates must be able to work in the UK without restrictions.

Qualifications

• Strong background in procurement, category management, and supplier consolidation.
• Proven track record in negotiation, cost reduction, and risk mitigation.
• Experience leading supplier relationships, contracts, and performance reviews.

Responsibilities

• Lead a commodity delivering world‑class procurement capabilities.
• Establish & implement long term supplier agreements.
• Create and deliver commodity strategies.

Skills

Procurement

Supplier management

Cost reduction

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Description

Ultra Precision Control Systems (PCS) is looking for a Category Sourcing Lead on a 12 month Fixed Term Contract.

In this role you will lead a commodity 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 category management, supplier management and sourcing decisions. Adding value by aligning ourselves with the best suppliers, promoting continuous improvement in supplier performance and driving compliance with our intellectual property and privacy requirements. Continuously striving to obtain the right price & quality for the right product or service.

This is a 12 month Fixed Term Contract.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish & implement long term agreements ensuring full compliance to company terms.
• Create and deliver commodity strategies, incorporating favourable payment terms, buffer inventory

1 month at suppliers

• Identify & establish long term supplier partners focussing on the “total cost” of supply, thus establishing mutually beneficial partnerships. Target 5% reduction
• Reduce supplier base by category by 20% ensure suppliers are of the correct size and exhibit the expected behaviours and product output (to quality and on time).
• Identify all parts that are single source. Implement strategies to mitigate risks to the business.
• Ensure the team are agile & continually evaluate and monitor market conditions and adjust sourcing strategies accordingly.
• Lead supplier cost reduction workshops to achieve year on year savings (KPI to be agreed per category)
• Ensure, through production readiness reviews and capacity plans, that each supplier in the product categories has the ability to meet their commitments.
• Ensure supplier business reviews are performed with Tactical team at least each quarter with all key strategic suppliers, identify opportunities for improvement, risks, and mitigation.
• Identify, present and influence Technology Enablement solutions to drive efficiency
• Ensure the SC 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, objectives

Required Skills and Experience

• Strong background in procurement, category management, and supplier consolidation.
• Proven track record in negotiation, cost reduction, and risk mitigation.
• Experience leading supplier relationships, contracts, and performance reviews.
• Commercially astute with ability to adapt strategies to market conditions.
• Skilled in cross‑functional collaboration and influencing stakeholders.
• Knowledge of DFM / DFT, make / buy analysis, and supply chain resilience.

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. Underpinned by our values, behaviours, and policies, we want you to feel empowered to be your best and authentic self.

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.

We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status and welcome applications from all candidates.