Senior Procurement Manager

Make an impact across major defence and aerospace programmes while developing your career in strategic procurement. This is an opportunity to shape sourcing strategies, strengthen supplier performance and influence commercially important decisions in a complex technical environment.

About the organisationYou will be joining an established organisation operating at the forefront of defence and aerospace, delivering specialist aviation and mission support capabilities to customers in demanding operational environments. The organisation combines advanced technology, highly skilled people and complex engineering expertise to support readiness and operational effectiveness. For a procurement professional, this provides the opportunity to influence significant programmes, work with strategically important suppliers and contribute to solutions where commercial decisions have a direct impact on delivery and capability.

What you will need

• British nationality is required.
• Significant procurement, subcontract or supply chain experience within a complex technical, engineering, aerospace, defence, aviation or regulated environment.
• Experience supporting major bids, programmes and cross-functional delivery teams.
• Strong commercial negotiation experience covering supplier selection, tendering, contract execution and contractual terms.
• Proven experience managing strategic suppliers, supply chain risk and continuity of supply.

Salary and rewards

£65,000 to £73,000 plus hybrid working and genuine scope for career progression.

Your role

• Lead procurement activity across major bids, programmes and strategic initiatives.
• Develop sourcing and subcontract strategies aligned with programme objectives, customer requirements and business priorities.
• Work closely with engineering, programme, commercial and finance stakeholders to translate technical and operational requirements into effective procurement solutions.
• Lead supplier selection, tendering, evaluation, negotiation and contract execution.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships to improve performance, competitiveness, delivery, quality and supply resilience.
• Identify and mitigate commercial, contractual and supply chain risks while promoting procurement best practice and continuous improvement.

Your experience

• Strong commercial and procurement judgement with the ability to provide clear recommendations and constructive challenge to senior stakeholders.
• Experience managing strategic suppliers, major subcontracts and supplier performance.
• Strong understanding of procurement governance, audit requirements, ethical sourcing and compliance.
• Analytical capability covering cost modelling, supplier performance, risk assessment and procurement intelligence.
• Experience working across complex programmes or integrated delivery environments.
• Relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience in procurement or supply chain would be advantageous.

Benefits and balanceThe employer supports you through:

• Employer pension contributions.
• Private medical support.
• Wellbeing and employee support programmes.

Where you will workBournemouth, with a hybrid working pattern. This is a full-time permanent position working 37 hours per week.

Due to the nature of work at our client's site, these vacancies are only open to British Citizens.

Send your CV or LinkedIn profile. If you meet the must-haves, we will respond within 48 hours.


This is a permanent role.

A specialist technical recruitment business provides engineering and technical recruitment solutions to high-technology industries. Thank you for your interest. If you do not hear from us within seven working days, please presume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. You may resubmit your CV or details in the future, and we shall assess your suitability then.