Procurement Manager

SF Recruitment are working for a fledgling aerospace manufacturing business, who are looking to recruit a procurement manager. This is an incredibly exciting time to join this rapidly growing organisation, who are looking for an experienced procurement leader to lead on the development of the procurement function & wider supply chain. Role forms part of business slt.

Duties:

• Lead supplier identification, evaluation, and onboarding to support long-term business goals and project needs.
• Develop and issue RFIs/RFPs, and conduct thorough benchmarking to ensure optimal supplier selection based on cost, quality, and capability.
• Negotiate and implement contracts, framework agreements, and service-level arrangements to secure supply and drive performance improvements.
• Oversee supplier performance, resolve quality and delivery issues, and implement development plans to enhance reliability and value.
• Support NPI projects by sourcing new suppliers, establishing relationships, and integrating procurement into early-stage planning.
• Coordinate with engineering and suppliers to enhance manufacturability and operational efficiency.
• Manage procurement of raw materials, consumables, and CAPEX equipment, ensuring timely and cost-effective sourcing.
• Drive cost-reduction initiatives and sourcing strategy improvements across key commodities with full autonomy.
• Review and approve purchase orders, validate spend against budgets, and contribute to business case development.
• Lead procurement reporting, including PMI and S&OP forecasting, and support MRP/master scheduling to mitigate supply chain risks.
• Act as the primary procurement liaison for internal product and project teams, aligning sourcing strategies with business and technical requirements.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, finance, and quality teams, and represent procurement in strategic meetings and project boards.
• Support audits, contract renewals, and specification reviews, ensuring compliance and continuous improvement.
• Provide leadership and potential line management within the procurement team, fostering a culture of accountability and excellenc

Skillset:

• Extensive procurement experience within technical and engineering-driven manufacturing environments.
• Advanced skills in negotiation and contract management, with an emphasis on maximizing value and minimizing risk.
• Proven ability to coordinate and execute complex procurement and administrative functions across multiple concurrent projects.
• Solid expertise in direct manufacturing, ideally in low-volume/high-mix production, with a strong grasp of engineering change control processes.
• Proactive mindset toward change management and continuous improvement, emphasizing innovation, process efficiency, and operational excellence.
• Deep understanding of end-to-end supply chain operations, material planning, and demand forecasting methodologies.
• Strong analytical capabilities, including the ability to analyze, interpret, and leverage data—particularly using advanced Excel functions.