Lead Buyer - Indirect Procurement Professional Services

MBDA Missile Systems; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence organisation in the UK is seeking a Lead Buyer to join their procurement team. This role focuses on implementing procurement strategies for professional services such as consultancy and engineering services. Ideal candidates will have experience in procurement, excellent stakeholder management skills, and the ability to draft clear statements of work. The position offers a hybrid working model and competitive compensation.

Benefits

Company bonus up to £2,500

Pension contribution up to 14%

Opportunity for paid overtime

Up to 15 additional days of flexi leave

Enhanced parental leave benefits

Subsidised meals and free car parking

Qualifications

• Proven experience in procurement or category management.
• Good knowledge of professional services marketplace.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to write clear and concise technical documents.
• Knowledge of supplier management and contract negotiation.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand business needs.
• Draft detailed statements of work reflecting business needs.
• Manage competitive tendering processes and supplier selection.
• Monitor supplier performance and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Procurement process knowledge

Supplier management

Contract negotiation

Attention to detail

Job description

An opportunity has arisen for a procurement professional to join the UK Sites procurement team, within the MBDA Group Indirect procurement team, with a focus on professional services categories such as Consultancy Services, Learning & Development, Employee Benefits, and Engineering/technical services, and Services Procurement.

Salary : Circa £50,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 2-3 days per week on-site due to workload classification

Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship

Restrictions and / or limitations relating to nationality and / or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you

• Company bonus : Up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year)
• Pension : maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Overtime : opportunity for paid overtime
• Flexi Leave : Up to 15 additional days
• Flexible working : We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave : offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave -enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities : Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more...

The Opportunity

As a Lead Buyer you will focus on working closely with internal stakeholders to implement our professional services procurement strategies. Particular categories will depend on your experience and career aspirations. The professional services team is responsible for Consultancy Services, Learning & Development, Employee Benefits, HR Services, Engineering / technical services, and Services Procurement.

You will work within our Indirect Procurement team and support our stakeholders by understanding their requirements and translating these into detailed statements of work, ensuring competitive sourcing from suppliers. The role will require active engagement with stakeholders based in Bristol and Stevenage.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand and gather business needs for outsourced specialist engineering services.
• With internal stakeholders, seek opportunities to implement fixed price contract models.
• Work closely with technical teams and project managers to capture specific requirements.
• Draft clear, detailed, and precise statements of work that reflect business needs and performance outcomes.
• Manage competitive tendering processes, evaluate supplier bids, and lead supplier selection.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure continuous improvement and innovation.
• Monitor supplier performance, resolve issues, and identify opportunities for cost savings and process efficiencies.
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies and legal requirements.
• Identify opportunities to enhance the sourcing process, including cost reduction, quality improvements, and process efficiency.
• Stay updated on market trends, new suppliers, and innovative solutions in engineering services.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in procurement or category management, preferably within professional services categories.
• Good knowledge of professional services marketplace, including relevant legislation.
• Strong knowledge of the end-to-end procurement process, in particular with writing statements of work, applying different commercial models to suit requirements, and leading competitive tendering.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage and influence cross-functional teams, and translate high-level outline requirements into contract deliverables.
• High attention to detail, with the ability to write clear and concise technical documents.
• Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of supplier management, contract negotiation, and risk mitigation.
• Experience in working within a large engineering or technical organisation.

Team

• The Indirect Procurement team is an excellent mixture of experienced and developing professionals located in UK, France and Italy.
• Vision to be a business partner in MBDA and for our suppliers, pursuing ongoing value creation, optimal cost, sustainability and innovation.
• Knowledgeable and enthusiastic, placing great value on sharing knowledge and exchanging ideas;
• The team covers a broad range of topics, with a wide range of contracts ranging from short turnaround low value to strategically important service contacts.
• Working with a wide range of stakeholders, based both in the UK and in the rest of the group, including the UK legal team.

Our company: Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

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We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

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