Who We Are
Science In Sport Group is a world leader in sports and performance nutrition.
We have two highly regarded brands; SiS which combines world-class science and innovation to provide optimal performance nutritional solutions for professional athletes, sports and fitness enthusiasts and the active lifestyle community. This includes over 320 professional teams worldwide across a broad range of sports including Football, Rugby, Cycling, Athletics, Basketball, Netball and Swimming. Brand ambassadors include former track cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, an eleven-time world champion and six-time Olympic champion, and Eilish McColgan, who won gold in the 2022 Commonwealth Games 10,000 metres.
PhD Nutrition is a premium, active-nutrition brand for the active lifestyle community wanting intelligent nutrition to help them achieve their goals. With over 20 years of research and development, our products are designed to maximise performance in and out of the gym. It’s an exciting time for PhD Nutrition as 2025 will kick off an entirely new line up of brand ambassadors, from hybrid athletes to qualified sports nutritionists.
The two brands sell through the phd.com and scienceinsport.com digital platforms, third-party online marketplaces including Amazon, as well as extensive domestic and international retail distribution.
In 2022 the company opened a state of the art 160,000 square foot manufacturing and logistics facility in Blackburn, Lancashire. Providing a significant advantage in product costs and customer response time and most importantly, allowing Science In Sport to lead the way for quality standards.
Science In Sport is the nutrition partner to globally recognised elite teams, including Tottenham Hotspur, Saracens Rugby, British Triathlon, Aquatics GB, British Cycling, England Netball and Loughborough Sports. As well as being the Official Energy Gel Provider of RunThrough and the Official Nutrition Partner of Ultra X.
The Role
The Procurement Specialist will report to the Supply Chain Manager and take ownership of procurement activity across assigned categories at Science in Sport, leading RFQs (Request for Quotations) and tenders, selecting and negotiating with suppliers, and managing contracts to drive efficiency, value and effectiveness. The role also supports supply planning and wider procurement processes, such as raising purchase orders and resolving invoice queries, where relevant.
Benefits
The work - Your 4 most important responsibilities
Key stock item availability – Review daily stock positions for key raw materials, packaging and finished goods; check open purchase orders, supplier confirmations and delivery dates; escalate shortages or risks early to the Supply Chain Manager; work with planning and operations teams to prioritise critical items and support production continuity.
Sourcing, supplier performance and commercial value – Lead Request for Quotations (RFQs), tenders and supplier selection for assigned categories; monitor supplier delivery performance, responsiveness, quality issues and pricing; follow up on late or incomplete deliveries; maintain regular contact with suppliers to resolve day-to-day issues; support price checks, cost comparisons and negotiation preparation to ensure the business receives value for money.
Supply continuity and inventory management – Review demand, stock cover, minimum order quantities and lead times to identify supply risks; support safety stock checks and inventory accuracy; help manage aged, excess or slow-moving stock; work with internal stakeholders to balance availability, working capital and warehouse capacity.
Procure-to-pay and business support – Raise and maintain purchase orders accurately; check order acknowledgements, delivery notes and invoice queries; resolve basic pricing, quantity or goods-receipting issues; keep procurement records up to date and support internal teams with purchasing information, supplier updates and process guidance.
Accountability – what you are responsible for delivering
Strategic Procurement
- Leading RFQs (Request for Quotations) and tender processes for assigned categories
- Supplier selection and evaluation to identify the best-fit partners
- Negotiating favourable commercial and contract terms in alignment with overall category and business strategy
- Ongoing contract management to ensure compliance and value delivery
- Gathering market intelligence and generating reports, as relevant
- Identifying, delivering and tracking cost-saving initiatives
Supplier Management
- Supplier onboarding, ensuring new suppliers meet quality, compliance and commercial standards
- Maintaining the approved supplier list and associated governance
- Conducting regular supplier performance reviews
- Developing and managing supplier relationships
- Supplier development activity to build capability and improve value
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to proactively manage risk in the supply chain, including supply chain de-risking initiatives
Purchasing & Execution
- Purchase order ownership, including raising and amending purchase orders
- Managing contract call-offs
- Confirming orders and managing supplier ETAs
- Expediting and de-expediting orders as demand changes
- Managing the supplier order book and tracking deliveries through to receipt
- Managing supplier OTIF (on-time-in-full) performance
- Be the point of contact for day-to-day supply challenges and escalate to the Supply Chain Manager as relevant
Reporting & Budget Control
- Spend analysis and measuring adherence to budgets
- Tracking and reporting cost savings
- Producing supplier KPI reports
- Producing procurement KPI reports
- Monitoring budgets across assigned categories
Capability - the skills and behaviours required to do this job well
- Degree level education or part/full professional qualification in procurement, supply chain, business or a related discipline; CIPS qualification levels 4-6 or working towards CIPS is desirable.
- Previous procurement or purchasing experience, preferably within a manufacturing, FMCG or fast-paced supply chain environment.
- Experience supporting sourcing activity, supplier negotiations, supplier relationship management and procurement process improvement.
- Working knowledge of procure-to-pay processes, purchase order management, invoice query resolution and supplier master data requirements.
- Confident using ERP systems, preferably SAP, and Microsoft Excel to support procurement reporting, spend analysis and decision-making.
- Diligence and strong stakeholder management
- Experience leading RFQs (Request for Quotations), tenders and supplier selection processes, and a working understanding of contract management and compliance monitoring.
Performance – how you will know you are doing a great job
- Procurement activity is delivered efficiently, accurately and in line with agreed category plans, business priorities and budget expectations.
- Suppliers are managed proactively, with strong relationships, timely issue resolution, improved service levels and clear performance follow-up.
- Cost savings, value improvements and commercial opportunities are identified, delivered and tracked effectively.
- Materials are available to support production requirements, with supply risks escalated early and appropriate actions taken to protect continuity of supply.
- Purchase orders, invoice queries, supplier data and reporting activities are managed accurately and on time, supporting a smooth procure-to-pay process.
Specific metrics will be set when in role and will be reviewed and built upon regularly. Alongside this, you will be supported with a personal performance plan that will enable you to continue improving your own performance and impact.
Attributes – experience and mindset that will enable you to do well in this role.
- Ability to think creatively about supply chain challenges
- Ability to work in a fast-paced organisation; working with stakeholders across different global regions
- High attention to detail
- Strong communication both orally and written
- Analytical and numerate
- Innovative
- Influencing and persuasion
Science in Sport Group is an equal opportunity employer; we value diversity and strive to cultivate an inclusive workplace. We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind in regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We fully support reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process, to provide an inclusive and welcoming recruitment experience.
