Supply Chain Specialist

This is a key position within the Supply Chain function, responsible for ensuring that the sourcing requirements for projects and new product introductions are delivered on time, within budget and to the required quality standards.

The successful candidate will represent Procurement throughout the NPI process, working closely with engineering, manufacturing, project teams and strategic sourcing functions to establish robust and capable supply chains ahead of product launch.

You will take ownership of the supply chain elements of multiple projects, managing sourcing activities, suppliers, project actions, costs and delivery requirements in line with wider manufacturing and procurement strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a key member of the Procurement and Supply Chain team, supporting multiple engineering and NPI projects.
• Work closely with Design Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers, Project Managers and other stakeholders to ensure prototype and production parts are sourced in line with project requirements.
• Establish appropriate supply chains ahead of product launch, ensuring cost, quality and delivery targets are achieved.
• Manage multiple projects concurrently, prioritising workload against changing project requirements and deadlines.
• Take ownership of the supply chain elements of assigned projects, operating with a high level of autonomy.
• Develop sourcing strategies and support supplier selection activities.
• Prepare and contribute to supplier selection packs, sourcing reviews, business cases and project plans.
• Develop project timescales, critical path activities and target completion dates.
• Produce and maintain project dashboards to track progress, actions, scope changes and schedule performance.
• Participate in supplier selection, assessment and onboarding activities.
• Visit key suppliers where required during selection, development and implementation stages.
• Act as the principal procurement contact for suppliers supporting assigned projects.
• Communicate new product designs, engineering changes and project requirements to suppliers.
• Consider intellectual property requirements relating to critical manufacturing processes.
• Negotiate pricing and commercial terms with suppliers.
• Ensure purchasing and supply chain activities are accurately maintained within ERP systems.
• Work collaboratively across Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement and Project functions to resolve supply chain risks and issues.

Key Performance Areas

• Delivery of supply chain project requirements to agreed timescales and budgets.
• Supplier performance against quality, cost and delivery requirements.
• ERP compliance and data accuracy.
• Achievement of cost targets and total acquisition cost improvements.
• Successful establishment of capable supply chains ahead of new product introduction.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Significant experience working within Procurement, Purchasing or Supply Chain.
• Experience within an engineering, manufacturing or production environment.
• Strong experience managing purchasing or supply chain activities associated with projects or NPI.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Strong supplier management and stakeholder management capability.
• Commercially aware with experience negotiating pricing and supplier agreements.
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills.
• Experience using ERP and MRP systems, ideally including systems such as JD Edwards, SAP or Oracle.
• Proven experience working within demanding project environments where cost, quality and delivery are critical.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Able to operate independently and take ownership of project-related supply chain decisions.

Qualifications

Ideally candidates will possess one or more of the following:

• CIPS Level 4 or equivalent purchasing qualification.
• Significant purchasing experience in place of formal CIPS qualifications.
• Programme or Project Management qualification or demonstrable project management experience.
• Technical qualification such as HNC, HND or Degree within an engineering or related discipline.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive, organised and able to work independently.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Confident making decisions based on available information.
• Able to anticipate supply chain risks and take preventative action.
• Comfortable challenging existing processes and identifying improvements.
• Commercially focused with an understanding of the financial impact of procurement decisions.
• Able to build strong relationships across engineering, manufacturing, procurement and supplier organisations.
• Comfortable working within a fast-paced, technically complex manufacturing environment.