Strategic Contract Buyer — Defence Sourcing & Partnerships

Neo Recruitment Ltd; Leicester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full training provided

Development programmes

Job summary

Neo Recruitment Ltd. is partnering with a growing technical supply chain business to recruit a Strategic Contract Buyer based in Leicester. The role blends strategic supplier onboarding, contract setup and ongoing value management within a defence-focused procurement environment.

You will work with a small procurement team, establish new suppliers, formalise contracts and drive cost-effective sourcing across key components and consumables. Hybrid or flexible options may be available.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in procurement or sourcing, ideally covering chemicals, consumables, fasteners, turned parts or similar markets.
• A strategic sourcing or category/commodity management background, comfortable building a market-level view rather than working PO to PO.
• Experience establishing new suppliers and setting up, then actively managing, contracts to ensure ongoing value.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside a small team of buyers who process day-to-day orders, providing direction on supplier and contract strategy.
• Establish and onboard new suppliers, building a strategic overview of the relevant market.
• Set up and formalise contracts across key supplier relationships.
• Manage those contracts on an ongoing basis to ensure best value is being received.
• Introduce and enhance contract and contract management concepts across the business.
• Source and procure key components, adhesives and consumables for defence programmes.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times and terms with suppliers and distributors.
• Identify potential new supply chain partners to improve service, pricing and supply.
• Support compliant, cost-effective sourcing aligned with sector quality standards.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Contract management

Supplier onboarding

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Market analysis

Team collaboration

Education

CIPS (desirable)

Job description

Neo Recruitment Ltd. is partnering with a growing technical supply chain business to recruit a Strategic Contract Buyer based in Leicester. The role blends strategic supplier onboarding, contract setup and ongoing value management within a defence-focused procurement environment.

You will work with a small procurement team, establish new suppliers, formalise contracts and drive cost-effective sourcing across key components and consumables. Hybrid or flexible options may be available.