Senior Subcontract Buyer

Matchtech Group; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 71,000; Part time

Job summary

Matchtech Group is seeking an experienced Senior Subcontract Buyer in Edinburgh to lead end-to-end supplier and subcontractor relationships on critical programmes. You will drive RFQ activity, supplier sourcing, and commercial evaluations to secure on‑time delivery within budget.

You will negotiate terms, manage purchase orders in SAP, monitor KPI performance, and escalate risks with internal stakeholders. This role suits a procurement professional thriving in fast-paced defence or engineering

Qualifications

• Experience in Manufacturing, Defence, Aerospace, or complex supply chains.
• Experience as Senior Buyer, Subcontract Buyer, or Procurement Specialist.
• Strong supplier management and contract administration experience.
• Commercial negotiation expertise.
• Solid understanding of contract terms and conditions.
• Experience managing purchase orders and supplier performance in SAP or similar ERP systems.
• Strong analytical and reporting capabilities.
• Knowledge of Export Control or Trade Compliance regulations.
• Ability to manage competing priorities across multiple programmes.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Managing supplier contracts and commercial agreements, including NDAs, export licenses, statements of work, and pricing agreements.
• Leading RFQ activities, supplier sourcing exercises, and commercial evaluations.
• Negotiating pricing, contractual terms, and delivery commitments to maximise value and minimise risk.
• Managing purchase orders through SAP and ensuring audit-ready documentation is maintained.
• Monitoring supplier performance, delivery schedules, and KPI compliance.
• Escalating supply risks and driving resolution plans with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Supporting product cost reviews through pricing analysis and benchmarking activities.
• Collaborating with Engineering, Quality, Materials, Manufacturing, and Programme teams.
• Managing revenue forecasting, budgets, estimates to complete, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Supporting internal and external audits with commercially compliant procurement documentation.

Skills

Supplier management

Contract negotiations

RFQ processes

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Project management

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Job description

A leading defence organisation are seeking an experienced Senior Subcontract Buyer to join a high-performing procurement team in Edinburgh.

• Role: Senior Subcontract Buyer
• Duration: 6-month contract
• Pay: Up to 44 p/hr (Inside IR35)
• Location: Edinburgh (Hybrid)

As a Senior Subcontract Buyer, you’ll take responsibility for the end-to-end management of supplier and subcontractor relationships, ensuring continuity of supply across critical programmes.

You’ll play a critical role in ensuring key production materials, components, and services are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with demanding technical and contractual requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing supplier contracts and commercial agreements, including NDA's, export licences, statements of work, and pricing agreements
• Leading RFQ activities, supplier sourcing exercises, and commercial evaluations
• Negotiating pricing, contractual terms, and delivery commitments to maximise value and minimise risk
• Managing purchase orders through SAP and ensuring audit-ready documentation is maintained
• Monitoring supplier performance, delivery schedules, and KPI compliance
• Escalating supply risks and driving resolution plans with suppliers and internal stakeholders
• Supporting product cost reviews through pricing analysis and benchmarking activities
• Collaborating with Engineering, Quality, Materials, Manufacturing, and Programme teams
• Managing revenue forecasting, budgets, estimates to complete, and cost reduction initiatives
• Supporting internal and external audits with commercially compliant procurement documentation

This is an ideal role for a procurement professional who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing or engineering environment and enjoys taking ownership of supplier performance, commercial negotiations, contract management, and material delivery across complex programmes.

Key Requirements:

• Manufacturing, Electronics, Defence, Aerospace, Engineering, or Complex Supply Chain experience
• Experience working as a Senior Buyer, Subcontract Buyer or Procurement Specialist
• Strong supplier management and contract administration experience
• Commercial negotiation expertise
• Solid understanding of contract terms and conditions
• Experience managing purchase orders and supplier performance within SAP or similar ERP systems
• Strong analytical and reporting capabilities
• Knowledge of Export Control or Trade Compliance regulations
• Ability to manage competing priorities across multiple programmes
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills

This a great opportunity to gain exposure to strategic sourcing activities, high value subcontract management and deal with complex supplier negotiations.

If you're an experienced procurement professional local to Edinburgh,