Strategic Procurement Lead for Defence Projects

Amentum; Reading; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Amentum is seeking a Procurement Manager to lead strategic procurement and supply chain activities for complex UK projects in Bristol and Theale. You will shape procurement strategies, manage supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, and drive commercial value across the procurement lifecycle.

You will coordinate with project teams, customers, and suppliers to ensure successful delivery while maintaining governance and risk controls.

Qualifications

• Experience managing procurement and supply chain activities within complex projects, programmes, or operational environments.
• Strong commercial awareness, including sourcing, supplier management, contract negotiation, and procurement best practice.
• Ability to build effective relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience delivering value through supplier performance management, risk management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong communication, influencing, and problem-solving skills with balanced commercial decisions.
• Experience in defence, aerospace, engineering, infrastructure, government, manufacturing, or other highly regulated environments.
• Security clearance or ability to obtain required level of clearance.
• Degree or professional membership such as CIPS, RICS, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement procurement and supply chain strategies aligned with programme objectives while balancing cost, quality, risk and delivery.
• Manage procurement activities across the full lifecycle including requirements definition, sourcing, tendering, evaluation, negotiation, and contract award.
• Lead procurement of goods, services, subcontractors, and strategic partners to support project delivery.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, customers and suppliers to enable collaborative working.
• Monitor and enhance supplier performance against quality, cost, schedule and operations.
• Provide commercial guidance to support decision-making across programmes and projects.
• Contribute to development of commercial strategies and contracting approaches for long-term value.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with governance, contracts, and best practice.
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes and supply chain capability.
• Share knowledge and lessons learned across procurement and project delivery teams.

Skills

Procurement management

Commercial awareness

Stakeholder management

Supplier performance

Negotiation

Communication

Risk management

Defence experience

Clearance eligibility

CIPS/RICS membership

Education

Degree or professional membership

Tools

N/A

Job description

Amentum is seeking a Procurement Manager to lead strategic procurement and supply chain activities for complex UK projects in Bristol and Theale. You will shape procurement strategies, manage supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, and drive commercial value across the procurement lifecycle.

You will coordinate with project teams, customers, and suppliers to ensure successful delivery while maintaining governance and risk controls.