NPI & Bid Manager

Ultra PCS; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Diverse and inclusive workplace

Job summary

Ultra PCS is seeking an NPI & Bid Manager to lead the Supply Chain function in Cheltenham, England. The role involves managing the project procurement team and engaging with suppliers to optimize costs and enhance value.

Candidates should have strong leadership capabilities and experience in strategic sourcing and supplier management, particularly in the defense and aerospace sectors. The position promotes flexible working arrangements and a diverse and inclusive workplace culture.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading procurement or project sourcing teams in a complex engineering or manufacturing environment.
• Strong leadership capability with a record of driving high performance and developing talent.
• Deep understanding of New Product Introduction (NPI) and Bid processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the project and bid team.
• Align with category managers to reduce the supplier base.
• Ensure suppliers can meet their commitments and deliver production volumes.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Sourcing

Supplier Management

Project Management

Analytical Skills

Job description

Ultra Precision Control Systems (Ultra PCS) is a leading developer of mission‑ and safety‑critical equipment for the defense and aerospace industry. We work in a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment and focus on delivering engineering solutions to our customers' most demanding challenges.

Our solutions are found in modern military aircraft and vehicles, civil aircraft, and unmanned vehicles.

We offer flexible working options, including hybrid, full‑time, part‑time, and other arrangements to suit your lifestyle.

Job Description

Ultra PCS is looking for a NPI & Bid Manager to join the Supply Chain Function and lead and manage the Projects & Bid category. In this role you will lead a Project Procurement team, delivering world‑class procurement capabilities, partnering with internal stakeholders to ensure maximum value for all money spent with suppliers. This is accomplished by executing effective strategies, which include supplier‑engaged DFM activity, supplier management and sourcing decisions, aligning with the best suppliers, and driving compliance with our intellectual property and privacy requirements. You will continuously strive to obtain the right price and quality for the right product or service, and contribute to the effective design of new products with consideration of manufacturability and product life‑cycle management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the project and bid team.
• Provide status updates on projects and ensure that business priorities are met.
• Ensure that parameters and agreements are in place for new products being transferred to production; identify and establish long‑term supplier partners focussing on the “total cost” of supply, establishing mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Align with category managers to reduce the supplier base and ensure suppliers are of the correct size and exhibit the expected behaviours and product output (quality and on time).
• Ensure the team is agile and continually evaluate and monitor market conditions and adjust sourcing strategies accordingly.
• Through production readiness reviews and capacity plans, ensure each supplier in the product categories can meet their commitments and deliver production volumes.
• Identify, present, and influence Technology Enablement solutions to drive efficiency.
• Ensure the NPI & Bid team supports and influences future new designs with Engineering, utilising intelligence and capabilities from our supply chain.
• Maximise the DFM and DFT opportunities to reduce the design cycle, remove costs, and deliver efficient designs.
• Collaborate and 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 and cost caused by internal processing.
• Continuously identify and deliver efficiency and cost savings.
• Report monthly to Head of Sourcing & Resilience on initiatives, opportunities, risks, objective.

Required Skills & Experience

Leadership & Management

• Proven experience leading and developing multi-disciplinary procurement or project sourcing teams within a complex engineering or manufacturing environment.
• Strong leadership capability with a track record of driving high performance, developing talent, and aligning team objectives to business strategy.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate effectively across functions including Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Programme Management.

Procurement & Commercial Expertise

• Extensive experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and category strategy development, ideally within Aerospace, Defence, or other highly regulated sectors.
• Strong commercial acumen with a focus on total cost of ownership, value optimisation, and supplier performance management.
• Proven ability to deliver measurable cost reduction targets and identify long‑term value creation opportunities.
• Experience establishing and managing long‑term supplier partnerships, including negotiation of complex agreements and intellectual property considerations.

Technical & Project Delivery

• Deep understanding of New Product Introduction (NPI) and Bid processes, with experience supporting design‑for‑manufacture (DFM) and design‑for‑test (DFT) activities.
• Strong understanding of end‑to‑end product lifecycle management, from concept through to production and sustainment.
• Experience leading production readiness reviews, capacity planning, and make/buy decisions to ensure supply readiness and resilience.
• Proven ability to apply technology enablement and digital procurement tools to improve efficiency and decision‑making.

Analytical & Strategic Capability

• Highly analytical with the ability to interpret market trends, risk factors, and supplier performance data to inform sourcing strategies.
• Demonstrated capability in identifying and delivering process improvements and operational efficiencies.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance short‑term business priorities with long‑term supply chain resilience.

Other Requirements

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to present confidently to senior leadership.
• Strong understanding of compliance, governance, and intellectual property requirements within a defence or aerospace context.

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.