Procurement Manager

SF Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An aerospace manufacturing business is seeking a Procurement Manager to lead their procurement function and enhance supply chain operations. This pivotal role involves supplier management, contract negotiation, and driving cost-reduction initiatives in a growing organization.

Qualifications

• Extensive procurement experience in technical manufacturing environments.
• Advanced negotiation and contract management skills.
• Proven ability to coordinate complex procurement functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead supplier identification, evaluation, and onboarding.
• Negotiate and implement contracts and service-level agreements.
• Manage procurement of raw materials and CAPEX equipment.

Skills

Procurement experience

Negotiation skills

Contract management

Analytical skills

Change management

Job description

SF Recruitment is working for a fledgling aerospace manufacturing business that is looking to recruit a procurement manager. This is an exciting opportunity to join a rapidly growing organization, seeking an experienced procurement leader to develop the procurement function and wider supply chain. The role forms part of the business senior leadership team.

Duties:

1. Lead supplier identification, evaluation, and onboarding to support long-term business goals and project needs.
2. Develop and issue RFIs/RFPs, conduct benchmarking to ensure optimal supplier selection based on cost, quality, and capability.
3. Negotiate and implement contracts, framework agreements, and service-level agreements to secure supply and improve performance.
4. Oversee supplier performance, resolve quality and delivery issues, and implement development plans to enhance reliability and value.
5. Support NPI projects by sourcing new suppliers, establishing relationships, and integrating procurement into early-stage planning.
6. Coordinate with engineering and suppliers to improve manufacturability and operational efficiency.
7. Manage procurement of raw materials, consumables, and CAPEX equipment, ensuring timely and cost-effective sourcing.
8. Drive cost-reduction initiatives and sourcing strategy improvements across key commodities with autonomy.
9. Review and approve purchase orders, validate spend against budgets, and contribute to business case development.
10. Lead procurement reporting, including PMI and S&OP forecasting, and support MRP/master scheduling to mitigate supply chain risks.
11. Act as the primary procurement liaison for internal product and project teams, aligning sourcing strategies with business and technical requirements.
12. Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, finance, and quality teams; represent procurement in strategic meetings and project boards.
13. Support audits, contract renewals, and specification reviews, ensuring compliance and continuous improvement.
14. Provide leadership and potential line management within the procurement team, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence.

Skillset:

• Extensive procurement experience within technical and engineering-driven manufacturing environments.
• Advanced negotiation and contract management skills, focused on maximizing value and minimizing risk.
• Proven ability to coordinate complex procurement and administrative functions across multiple projects.
• Solid expertise in direct manufacturing, ideally in low-volume/high-mix production, with a strong understanding of engineering change control processes.
• Proactive approach to change management and continuous improvement, emphasizing innovation, efficiency, and operational excellence.
• Deep understanding of end-to-end supply chain operations, material planning, and demand forecasting.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to analyze, interpret, and leverage data using advanced Excel functions.