Subcontract Specialist

An agile defence organisation are seeking a commercially astute Subcontract Specialist to help provide support across several growing projects.

• Role: Subcontract Specialist
• Duration: 6-month contract
• Pay: £350 - 450 p/day (Inside IR35)
• Location: Brighton (3 days onsite)

In this role, you'll help manage supplier relationships, support negotiations, implement framework agreements and ensure complex contractual requirements are effectively flowed down through the supply chain.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the management of strategic suppliers across multiple engineering programmes.
• Develop strong supplier relationships and act as a key point of contact for subcontract activities.
• Participate in supplier visits and reviews to support performance improvement initiatives.
• Assist with negotiating supplier agreements, commercial terms and long-term arrangements.
• Support the implementation of framework agreements across key supplier networks.
• Review customer requirements and ensure contractual flow-down obligations are effectively communicated.
• Assist in translating complex customer requirements into clear supplier contractual commitments.
• Support commercial discussions around T&Cs, liability, delivery commitments and contractual obligations.
• Identify commercial and contractual risks and support the development of practical mitigation strategies.
• Contribute to the review and improvement of procurement and subcontract documentation.
• Monitor supplier performance against delivery, quality and programme objectives.
• Support supplier accountability reviews and continuous improvement activities.
• Identify emerging supply chain risks and propose solutions to minimise programme impact.
• Assist in resolving supplier issues and removing barriers to delivery.
• Support supply chain compliance reviews and gap analysis activities.
• Help strengthen contractual protection across the supplier base.

This is a hands-on role supporting the day-to-day management of strategic suppliers operating within highly regulated engineering environments.

Key Requirements:

• Experience within aerospace, defence or other highly regulated engineering sectors.
• Previous experience in subcontracts, procurement, supplier management or strategic sourcing.
• Exposure to supplier agreements, contract negotiations and commercial discussions.
• Understanding of contractual flow-down requirements within complex engineering environments.
• Experience working with technically demanding suppliers and customers.
• Strong supplier relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to identify commercial, contractual and supply chain risks and recommend solutions.
• Experience managing supplier performance against delivery and quality objectives.
• Knowledge of AS9100 or equivalent quality standards.
• Experience working with both manufacturing and COTS suppliers.
• Understanding of framework agreements, LTAs or supplier governance processes.
• Experience conducting supplier visits, audits or performance reviews.

If you're a procurement or subcontracts professional with experience managing suppliers in a regulated engineering environment and enjoy balancing commercial, contractual and relationship management responsibilities, apply now!