Defence Subcontract Specialist - Supplier Negotiations

Matchtech Group; Brighton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchtech Group seeks a commercially astute Subcontract Specialist to support several growing projects within a highly regulated defence environment. This role focuses on managing supplier relationships, negotiations and ensuring contractual flow-down across the supply chain.

Based in Brighton with 3 days on site, this 6-month contract pays £350-£450 per day Inside IR35. You will help implement framework agreements and manage supplier performance to meet programme objectives.

Qualifications

• Experience within aerospace, defence or other highly regulated engineering sectors.
• Experience in subcontracts, procurement, supplier management or strategic sourcing.
• Exposure to supplier agreements, contract negotiations and commercial discussions.
• Understanding of contractual flow-down requirements within complex engineering environments.
• Experience working with technically demanding suppliers and customers.
• Strong supplier relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to identify commercial, contractual and supply chain risks and recommend solutions.
• Experience managing supplier performance against delivery and quality objectives.
• Knowledge of AS9100 or equivalent quality standards.
• Experience working with both manufacturing and COTS suppliers.
• Understanding of framework agreements, LTAs or supplier governance processes.
• Experience conducting supplier visits, audits or performance reviews.

Responsibilities

• Support the management of strategic suppliers across multiple engineering programmes.
• Develop strong supplier relationships and act as a key point of contact for subcontract activities.
• Participate in supplier visits and reviews to support performance improvement initiatives.
• Assist with negotiating supplier agreements, commercial terms and long-term arrangements.
• Support the implementation of framework agreements across key supplier networks.
• Review customer requirements and ensure contractual flow-down obligations are effectively communicated.
• Assist in translating complex customer requirements into clear supplier contractual commitments.
• Support commercial discussions around terms, liability, delivery commitments and contractual obligations.
• Identify commercial and contractual risks and support the development of practical mitigation strategies.
• Contribute to the review and improvement of procurement and subcontract documentation.
• Monitor supplier performance against delivery, quality and programme objectives.
• Support supplier accountability reviews and continuous improvement activities.
• Identify emerging supply chain risks and propose solutions to minimise programme impact.
• Assist in resolving supplier issues and removing barriers to delivery.
• Support supply chain compliance reviews and gap analysis activities.
• Help strengthen contractual protection across the supplier base.

Skills

Subcontract management

Supplier management

Contract negotiations

Commercial acumen

Framework agreements

Risk identification

Stakeholder engagement

Supply chain knowledge

Job description

Matchtech Group seeks a commercially astute Subcontract Specialist to support several growing projects within a highly regulated defence environment. This role focuses on managing supplier relationships, negotiations and ensuring contractual flow-down across the supply chain.

Based in Brighton with 3 days on site, this 6-month contract pays £350-£450 per day Inside IR35. You will help implement framework agreements and manage supplier performance to meet programme objectives.