Location: Coventry, UK
Core Hours: 08:00-16:35 (Mon – Thu) 08:00-15:10 (Fri)
Vacancy Type: Full-time and Permanent
Salary: £70,000+ subject to experience + discretionary bonuses
About the role
Lead the supply chain behind products that protect lives.
We're looking for a Senior Strategic Procurement Manager to lead our procurement function during an exciting period of growth. This is a rare opportunity to shape procurement strategy across a global defence manufacturer, influencing how we source materials, manage suppliers and support the delivery of some of the UK's most important defence programmes.
You'll lead procurement activity across direct materials, indirect spend and capital expenditure, ensuring goods and services are sourced efficiently, commercially and in line with operational demand. Working closely with senior leaders across Engineering, Production, Planning and Finance, you'll have the opportunity to influence business decisions, strengthen supplier partnerships and build a high-performing procurement team.
If you enjoy developing people, negotiating complex commercial agreements and driving continuous improvement across a fast-paced manufacturing environment, this could be the perfect opportunity.
What you'll get in return
At NP Aerospace, we know our success comes from our people. That’s why we invest in benefits that support your health, reward your hard work, and help you grow your career:
- Performance rewards – discretionary bonus opportunities
- Flex your day – flexible start and finish times (subject to manager approval and operational needs)
- Time to recharge – 25 days’ holiday + 8 bank holidays, with the option to buy more through our Holiday Purchase Scheme
- Support for Defence – two weeks’ paid leave for Reservists and Cadets, plus paid leave for Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs)
- Future security – competitive pension scheme, 9% combined employer/employee contributions
- Peace of mind – life cover at 3x base salary
- Health & wellbeing first – BHSF Cash Healthcare Plan to support everyday health costs
- Grow with us – career development and advancement opportunities within a global business
- Supportive environment – a team culture built on innovation, collaboration, and purpose
What you'll be doing
You'll provide strategic leadership for our procurement function, ensuring materials and services are sourced effectively to support production, engineering and business operations. Leading a team of procurement professionals, you'll set clear direction, develop capability and embed a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. Your leadership will directly influence business performance, helping ensure programmes are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards.
Working closely with internal stakeholders and suppliers, you'll develop sourcing strategies that balance cost, quality, risk and continuity of supply. You'll negotiate complex commercial agreements, strengthen supplier relationships and implement category strategies that deliver long-term value while improving supply chain resilience. As the senior escalation point for procurement matters, you'll provide commercial guidance and resolve issues quickly to keep operations moving.
You'll also take ownership of our call-off contract governance, ensuring demand is translated into accurate procurement activity through QAD while maintaining compliance with commercial agreements and service level expectations. By monitoring procurement performance, analysing KPIs and providing meaningful insight to senior leadership, you'll play a key role in driving operational excellence and supporting future business growth.
Our team embraces modern technologies, including AI-assisted tools, to work smarter and deliver better results. Candidates should either have experience using AI tools or demonstrate a willingness to learn and apply them in their role.
Our team embraces modern technologies, including AI-assisted tools, to work smarter and deliver better results. Candidates should either have experience using AI tools or demonstrate a willingness to learn and apply them in their role.
What we're looking for
Essential
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Significant experience leading procurement within a manufacturing, engineering or defence environment.
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Proven experience leading and developing procurement teams while driving strategic and operational performance.
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Strong commercial negotiation skills with experience managing complex supplier agreements.
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Experience managing direct, indirect and capital expenditure procurement.
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Strong knowledge of ERP and MRP systems, with experience using QAD or similar systems.
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Excellent analytical skills with the ability to use data to improve procurement performance, reduce costs and manage risk.
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Strong stakeholder management skills with experience influencing senior leadership.
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Experience improving procurement processes, governance and supplier performance.
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Experience using AI tools or a willingness to learn and apply them in the role.
Desirable
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Experience within the defence, aerospace or other highly regulated manufacturing sectors.
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Experience developing category management strategies.
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Knowledge of call-off contract management and procurement governance frameworks.
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Relevant professional procurement qualification (e.g. CIPS).
Recruitment Process
As part of the interview process, you may be asked to deliver a short presentation based on a procurement challenge relevant to the role. This will help us understand how you approach strategic decision-making, influence stakeholders and deliver measurable improvements. Full details will be provided in advance.
What do we do at NP Aerospace?
NP Aerospace is a global leader in armour technology manufacturing and vehicle integration, delivering high-performance, lifesaving solutions for the defence and security industry.
Our mission is to improve and protect lives, and our vision is to be a leading provider of innovative solutions that solve our customers' complex challenges. Our values - Respect, Collaboration, Integrity, and Dedication form the bedrock of our culture.
Our extensive range of combat-proven body armour, from ballistic helmets, plates, and shields to bomb disposal suits, highlights some of the most advanced composite materials. With a team of R&D engineers working on next-generation solutions, we also excel in highly engineered vehicle systems and armour platforms used by some of the world’s largest defence organisations.
Founded in 1926, NP Aerospace has served the defence industry for over 40 years, evolving into an agile and diverse company. Our Business Development team is expanding both in the UK and North America.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: NP Aerospace is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, colour, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We are also fully committed to supporting the Defence Community and actively advertise roles on Defence specific platforms such as CTP, Force Families, Forces Employment Charity, and Veterans Job Board.
Data Privacy: NP Aerospace respects the privacy of all applicants. Personal information provided during the application process will be treated in accordance with our privacy policy and applicable data protection laws.
Please note: If successful, you will be required to sign the Official Secrets Act and successfully pass the necessary checks before you can begin your employment with NP Aerospace.
