Procurement Specialist
About Evolve Dynamics
Evolve Dynamics is an engineering company specialising in UAV systems - aircraft, payloads and software, based in the United Kingdom. We provide best in class mission specific surveillance and special purpose aircraft of different types and sizes, as well as camera modules and other payloads, for public sector services, private security and defence. Our customers include UK police, fire fighters, Ministry of Defence as well as other NATO police forces and defence organisations. We also heavily support Ukraine, where we have many users. Innovation and perfection is in our DNA and we are one of the leading UAS companies in the world. We have been going since 2016 and have over 40 staff globally. We cover multiple engineering disciplines from mechanical, aerodynamics, electronics, radio, software, including AI.
Role Overview
As a Procurement Specialist you will be responsible for managing the sourcing, contracting and supplier-management activities for our UAS programmes. You will work closely with engineering and project management colleagues to ensure that all goods and services are procured in line with cost, quality, delivery and compliance requirements.
Location: Farnham – Office-based
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the full procurement lifecycle of the key contracts (source-to-delivery) including requisitions, orders, supplier performance, delivery, cost control, contract compliance etc.
- Collaborate with engineering and project management teams to meet technical specifications, support new product introduction and lifecycle procurement.
- Support the Head of Supply in delivering procurement strategies and leading complex commercial negotiations.
- Conduct supplier sourcing / tendering / evaluation / selection processes (RFI/RFP, bids) through to contract award and supplier onboarding.
- Negotiate and draft contracts, securing optimal commercial terms across cost, quality, and delivery.
- Manage supplier performance and relationship and drive corrective actions where needed.
- Conduct supplier risk assessments and maintain supply chain resilience and continuity by mitigating supply chain risks including single-source, obsolescence, and long-lead items through proactive planning.
- Drive continuous improvement across sourcing strategies, supplier performance, lead times, and cost efficiency.
- Maintain procurement systems, contract registers, and reporting dashboards (spend, savings, audit trail).
- Understanding and applying defence contracting frameworks, security classifications, export controls (e.g., ITAR/EAR equivalents), compliance with military supply chain requirements.
Skills & Experience
- 3+ years of proven procurement experience in a manufacturing / engineering / defence / R&D environment
- Demonstrated capability in delivering mid- to high-complexity deals, including global contracts, covering all aspects of sourcing and negotiation.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify issues through analysis and sound judgement.
- Skilled in drafting, negotiating, and managing contracts and supply/service level agreements.
- Effective at managing multiple projects and priorities in parallel, delivering results under pressure.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency in ERP systems and strong IT capability, including Excel and data analysis.
- Degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field
- Experience working in or supporting defence/military programmes or major projects (desirable).
- Technical knowledge relevant to the UAV sector (desirable).
Personality attributes
- Collaborative and stakeholder-focussed: able to engage with internal teams (engineering, manufacturing, R&D, finance) and suppliers, build trust, team player.
- Detail-oriented yet strategic: able to dig into the details (contracts, supplier performance, cost modeling) but also keep the bigger picture (supply chain strategy, risk, value creation).
- Resilient and adaptable: supply chains can be disrupted, manufacturing/defence environments change quickly – you’ll need to keep composure, reprioritise, adapt.
- Commercially minded: proactive in seeking cost savings, value improvements, optimisation.
- Ethical and compliant: given regulatory, export control and defence environment, high integrity, awareness of ethical sourcing, governance and security.
- Influential communicator: able to persuade suppliers, senior stakeholders, present data/analysis, drive decisions.
- Continuous improvement mindset: always looking for better ways to source, optimise lead-times, innovate with suppliers.
- Decisive: able to make decisions (sometimes under uncertainty) around supplier selection, risk mitigation, trade-offs between cost/quality/delivery.
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- 25 days of annual leave
- Study days
- Company events
- Company & personal bonus scheme
- Private health cover
- Salary sacrifice car scheme
- Cycle to work and Tech salary sacrifice schemes
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Farnham GU10: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- Do you have proven procurement experience in a manufacturing / engineering / defence / R&D environment?
- Do you have degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field?
- Are you skilled in drafting, negotiating, and managing contracts and supply/service level agreements?
Work Location: In person
