Purpose of the Role
The Procurement Manager is responsible for leading all sourcing and purchasing activities within a highly innovative, first-of-a-kind (FOAK) machine automation environment. The role ensures the timely and cost-effective procurement of bespoke components, engineered systems, and specialist services to support complex builds, prototyping, and project delivery.
The role requires a strong commercial mindset combined with technical understanding, agility, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced, evolving engineering environment. It also leverages global sourcing opportunities, including trade agreements and duty optimisation strategies, to enhance cost competitiveness and supply chain efficiency.
Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities
- Deliver procurement strategies aligned to low-volume, high-complexity machine builds
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Source and manage suppliers for bespoke and long lead-time components globally
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Support engineering and project teams through design, prototyping, and build phases
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Lead commercial negotiations ensuring best value and flexibility
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Oversee expediting to ensure alignment with project schedules
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Drive standardisation and maturity of procurement processes, tools, and governance
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Build and maintain a global, diversified supplier network to reduce risk and dependency
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Support make vs buy and strategic sourcing decisions in collaboration with stakeholders
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Embed total cost of ownership (TCO) and value-based decision making across the function
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Drive cost reduction initiatives through global sourcing, value engineering, and supplier innovation
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Optimise total landed cost, including tariffs, duties, and logistics
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Proactively leverage international trade agreements and origin strategies
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Deliver measurable savings and cost avoidance aligned to business targets
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Identify and mitigate risks across supply continuity, geopolitical exposure, and supplier capability
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Develop sourcing and continuity strategies for critical components
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Enhance supply chain visibility and risk monitoring capability
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Ensure compliance with rules of origin and trade requirements
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Develop strategic supplier partnerships focused on innovation, flexibility, and performance
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Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and project teams
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Influence stakeholders to align sourcing decisions with business strategy
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Lead, mentor, and develop the procurement team
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Build capability in strategic sourcing, cost modelling, and global procurement practices
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Drive a high-performance culture focused on accountability, delivery, and continuous improvement
Outputs/Deliverables
- On-time delivery of materials aligned to project milestones
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Delivery of procurement strategy aligned to business growth and complexity
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Demonstrable cost savings and value creation (including tariff optimisation)
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Improved supplier performance and strategic supplier partnerships
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Reduced supply chain risk and improved resilience
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Implementation of scalable procurement processes and governance
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Enhanced visibility of procurement performance through KPIs and reporting
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
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Strong procurement experience in engineering, automation, or capital equipment
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Experience with bespoke, low-volume, high-value components
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Proven experience in developing procurement strategy and driving transformation
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Global sourcing and supplier management experience
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Strong understanding of total landed cost and TCO models
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Proven commercial negotiation and contract management skills
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Experience managing supply chain risk in complex project environments
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Strong stakeholder engagement across technical and operational teams
Desirable
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Experience implementing category management or strategic sourcing frameworks
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Knowledge of trade agreements, origin compliance, and tariff optimisation
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Experience in FOAK or highly innovative engineering environments
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Exposure to digital procurement tools or ERP systems transformation
Technical Skills and Qualifications
Essential
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Strong commercial and analytical skills
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Procurement systems and tools experience
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Understanding of supply chain and logistics processes
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Advanced negotiation and influencing skills
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Strong analytical and financial modelling capability (cost breakdowns, TCO, should-cost)
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Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications
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Strong project management and organisational skills
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Data-driven decision-making capability
Desirable
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CIPS qualification or equivalent
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Experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Visual etc.)
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Knowledge of supply chain analytics and KPI dashboards
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Familiarity with contract law and commercial terms
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Experience in supplier development and value engineering methodologies
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Relationship and Reporting Line
Direct Reports (if applicable): Buyers
Working relationships with: Project Engineers, Engineering, Production, Finance, Service, Programme Managers
