Procurement Manager / Subcontract Manager - Defence

Matchtech Group; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchtech Group in Bristol is seeking an experienced Procurement Manager / Subcontract Manager for a permanent, hybrid role. You will drive procurement and subcontract activities across a portfolio of technically complex products, delivering robust commercial agreements and improved supplier performance.

The role requires strong stakeholder collaboration with engineering and programme teams, plus the ability to mitigate risks and manage costs.

Qualifications

• Strong procurement or subcontract management experience within a complex engineering, manufacturing or technology environment.
• Proven track record negotiating supplier agreements, pricing and terms.
• Experience mitigating supply chain risks and ensuring delivery against programmes.

Responsibilities

• Manage procurement and subcontract activities across a portfolio of complex engineering products, equipment and services.
• Identify, assess and select suppliers based on capability, financial stability and risk.
• Lead supplier negotiations covering commercial agreements, pricing and terms.
• Manage supplier relationships to meet contractual, quality, cost and delivery requirements.
• Partner with stakeholders to develop procurement and supply chain solutions for bids and product changes.
• Provide procurement input into bids, development activities and engineering changes.
• Monitor supplier performance and implement mitigation plans to protect milestones.

Skills

Procurement management

Subcontract management

Supplier negotiations

Supply chain risk

Stakeholder collaboration

Cost control

Job description

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an experienced Procurement Manager / Subcontract Manager to join a leading organisation operating within a complex engineering and technology environment.

This position will take responsibility for procurement and subcontract management across a portfolio of technically complex products. You'll work closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders to deliver robust commercial agreements, improve supplier performance, mitigate supply chain risk and ensure cost-effective delivery against programme requirements.

Role: Procurement Manager / Subcontract Manager

Location: Bristol (hybrid working, 3 days onsite p/week)

Type: Permanent position

Security: Candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance

Salary: £60,000 - £70,000 (DOE) + benefits

Key responsibilities of the Procurement Manager / Subcontract Manager role include, but are not limited to:

• Manage procurement and subcontract activities across a portfolio of complex engineering products, equipment and services.
• Identify, assess and select suppliers, considering commercial capability, financial stability, performance and wider supply chain risk.
• Lead and support supplier negotiations covering commercial agreements, pricing and contractual terms and conditions.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance to ensure contractual, quality, cost and delivery requirements are achieved.
• Work with key suppliers to identify performance improvements, efficiencies and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Partner with stakeholders across commercial, engineering and programme functions to develop appropriate procurement and supply chain solutions.
• Provide procurement input into bids, product development activities and engineering or programme changes.
• Proactively manage supplier delivery performance and resolve commercial or supply chain issues that could affect programme milestones.
• Support effective cost management, identifying opportunities to improve value and maintain budgetary control.
• Monitor procurement and supplier performance against agreed KPIs, highlighting risks and implementing appropriate mitigation plans.
• Develop and improve procurement processes and ways of working to enhance commercial and supply chain performance.

Key skills and experience required for the Procurement Manager / Subcontract Manager role include, but are not limited to:

• Strong procurement, subcontract management or supplier management experience gained within a complex engineering, manufacturing or technology environment.
• Experience managing suppliers delivering technically complex products, equipment or services.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience negotiating supplier agreements, pricing and contractual terms and conditions.
• Proven experience managing suppliers across areas including cost, quality, delivery, performance and commercial risk.
• Ability to identify and mitigate supplier and supply chain risks.
• Experience working collaboratively with engineering, commercial, programme or project management stakeholders.
• Previous experience supporting bids, new product introduction, engineering change or similar project-based activities would be beneficial.
• Strong negotiation, stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience within defence, aerospace, electronics, advanced engineering or another highly regulated environment would be advantageous.
• Previous exposure to UK defence or MOD procurement and supplier management processes would be beneficial but is not essential depending on wider experience.