Senior Indirect Procurement Specialist (12 Month Contract)
// Role Summary
A 12-month contract opportunity for a Senior Indirect Procurement Specialist to manage supplier delivery and procure indirect goods and services, supporting key defence programmes.
// Key Responsibilities
- Manage total supply chain for indirect goods and services.
- Focus on supplier delivery and contract management for facilities, equipment, and services.
- Negotiate and manage procurements from simple to complex subcontracts.
- Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams including Facilities, Engineering, and Operations.
- Requires SC security clearance.
// Role Specification
About the Role
We are seeking a Senior Indirect Procurement Specialist for a 12-month contract at our Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. This role operates on a 4xFlex working pattern, offering a 4-day working week (Monday - Thursday) with hybrid working arrangements. Onsite presence is required on Mondays and Tuesdays, with Wednesdays and Thursdays typically worked from home, subject to business needs.
This position is part of the Lockheed Martin UK Supply Chain Organisation, responsible for managing the end-to-end supply chain for indirect goods and services to fulfil diverse programme and business requirements. The role primarily supports facility, equipment, and service needs for development and production programmes in Armoured Vehicles, Platform Integration, Special Projects, and Weapons domains, catering to both domestic and international needs.
Success in this role requires experience within a functional organisation, combining proven skills in relationship building and on-time delivery achievement through effective negotiation and management of procurements, ranging from simple to complex subcontracts. You will also work collaboratively within multi-disciplinary product teams, including Facilities, Engineering, Operations, and Quality.
The role involves the tactical management and reporting on a variety of indirect contracts, including Facilities Management (FM) Hard Services, FM Soft Services, and Capital Acquisition of manufacturing machinery.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Undertake procurement processes, including issuing RFQs, Invitation to Tenders, negotiating Terms and Conditions, bid evaluation, and contract award.
- Hold procurement delegation and sign supplier agreements and purchase orders within authorised limits.
- Negotiate with suppliers to ensure best value is achieved.
- Provide expertise, support, advice, and guidance to internal customers on procurement policy and procedures, including contract management.
- Manage and monitor contracts to ensure all parties meet their contractual obligations.
- Achieve successful delivery of procurements, managing schedules, applying extensive supply chain expertise, and demonstrating full knowledge of and successful interactions with other related disciplines.
- Develop and maintain stakeholder relationships with key internal and external business contacts for mutual benefit, representing the organisation/programme as the prime tactical contact and interacting with Senior external personnel on significant tactical and strategic matters.
- Ensure procurement activities comply with internal/legislative procedures, and that risks are identified and managed.
- Serve as the key interface between internal customers and suppliers to ensure effective communication and comprehensive understanding and management of issues and risks.
- Support internal and external reviews of supplier performance as required.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of supply chain processes.
Required skills, qualifications and experience:
- Proven experience as an Indirect Buyer.
- Experience in buying for Facilities Management Hard and Soft services.
- Proven experience in Minor Works Projects (office refurbishment projects typically £10k - £500k).
- Experience in Capital Acquisition of manufacturing machinery and IT equipment.
- Excellent understanding of procurement best practice.
- Knowledge of strategic sourcing and advanced procurement techniques/tools.
- Excellent commercial skills with the ability to analyse and negotiate best-value agreements.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to effectively manage stakeholders’ expectations at various levels.
- Data literate with strong analytical skills.
- Highly motivated, determined, and committed individual with a proven record of achieving cost-saving targets/objectives.
- Ability to thrive on challenges and experience working within a fast-paced procurement function or similar environment.
- Proven Supplier Relationship Management skills.
- Understanding of related disciplines/departments within a design and manufacturing environment.
- Ability to work assignments without significant direction, exercising considerable latitude in determining approaches.
- Extensive Contract Management experience.
- Proficient in the use of MS Office applications.
- Flexibility to travel as required.
Desired Skills:
- Experience with New Build Construction projects (typically £500k- £3.5m) utilising JCT Minor Works Building Contract with Contractors Design or similar.
- Experience in Mechanical (fabrications/machined items) and Electrical (box-build, cables, components) buying.
- Supply chain experience in the defence environment.
- Experience in various phases of the product lifecycle (proposal capture, programme start-up, development, production, sustainment, end-of-life).
- Knowledge of SAP ERP system.
- Bachelors’ degree in a business/scientific/technical discipline.
- Knowledge/experience of process improvement methodologies.
- MCIPS or working towards CIPS.
Clearance Required for Role: SC