Procurement Manager

Copello; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading procurement firm in Bristol is seeking a Procurement Manager to shape mission-critical defence capabilities. In this hybrid role, you will manage complex supplier relationships, drive subcontract execution, and ensure compliance with evolving standards. The ideal candidate will have a background in procurement or supply chain, with strong negotiation and risk management skills. This position offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits, with opportunities for hybrid working.

Benefits

Competitive salary and bonus structure

Strong pension scheme

Paid overtime options

Flexible working schemes

Hybrid working culture

Qualifications

• Experience in procurement, supply chain, or commercial management, especially in a defence-related context.
• Ability to navigate detailed contractual terms and manage complex supplier relationships.
• Proactive and solutions-focused mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and execution of subcontracts with suppliers.
• Manage tendering activities to meet programme expectations.
• Drive performance management to ensure compliance and control risks.
• Develop strong relationships with suppliers within the UK and Europe.

Skills

Procurement Management

Commercial Awareness

Negotiation Skills

Supplier Relationship Management

Risk Management

Job description

Procurement Manager - Defence Programmes

Bristol | Hybrid 2-3 Days On-Site

Circa £48,000 + Excellent Benefits

Step into a procurement role where your decisions directly shape mission‑critical defence capability. This is not a passive purchasing position—it's a front‑line commercial role that sits at the heart of high‑value, high‑complexity international programmes. You'll work with world‑leading suppliers, influence major subcontract strategies, and protect the organisation's commercial and strategic interests on programmes that matter.

Why This Role Stands Out

You'll be operating in Major Equipment Procurement, a team that partners with suppliers across the UK, Europe and beyond to enable cutting‑edge missile and system delivery. The contracts you manage will be complex, high‑value and technically sophisticated—subsystems that underpin some of the most advanced defence products in service today.

You'll have real ownership from day one, driving subcontract execution across the full lifecycle: negotiating, shaping, implementing, managing and optimising. This is a role where you can see the commercial impact of your work on genuine national capability.

What's In It For You

• Competitive salary and bonus structure
• Strong pension scheme with meaningful employer contributions
• Options for paid overtime where applicable
• Additional leave through flexible working schemes
• Hybrid working and a culture that supports flexibility

Your Impact

You'll be the commercial point of focus for critical suppliers, navigating a landscape of complex agreements, evolving project needs and high‑stakes deadlines. Your role ensures that every subcontract delivers exactly what is needed: on time, on cost and to the exacting standards required for mission success.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading the preparation, negotiation and execution of subcontracts with both established suppliers and new partners
• Managing tendering activities and ensuring supply chains meet programme expectations
• Driving subcontract performance management to ensure obligations are met and risks are controlled
• Keeping subcontract amendments current and fully aligned with evolving standards and legislation
• Developing strong supplier relationships across the UK, Europe and international markets
• Identifying, managing and mitigating commercial and business risks within your portfolio
• Capturing quotations and supplier intelligence to support new bids and future opportunities

What You Bring

A background in procurement, supply chain or commercial management—ideally within a complex, regulated or defence‑related environment. You'll be confident navigating detailed terms, commercially aware, calm under pressure and skilled at influencing both suppliers and internal stakeholders. Most importantly, you'll bring a proactive, solutions‑focused mindset and a desire to work at the forefront of UK defence capability.

Security Requirements

Applicants must be a British Citizen or dual UK‑national with British citizenship. All successful candidates will undergo HMG BPSS clearance after offer stage.

If you want to work on programmes with real‑world impact, shaping high‑value subcontracts that support national defence, this role offers a rare and compelling opportunity.