Your new company You will be joining a growing, engineering-led manufacturing organisation operating within highly regulated industries. The business is focused on building a high-performing, resilient supply chain and driving continuous improvement across procurement and operations. Your new role You will take responsibility for both hands-on procurement delivery and team leadership, ensuring materials, components and services are sourced on time, on cost and to the highest quality standards. You will lead and develop a high-performing procurement team, drive supplier performance and cost reduction, and play a key role in new product introduction (NPI) and continuous improvement initiatives. Key responsibilities Lead and support the day-to-day activity of the procurement team, ensuring delivery against quality, cost and delivery targets Manage MRP-driven purchasing, keeping materials aligned with production schedules and demand Oversee end-to-end procurement including RFQs, purchase orders, supplier communication and expediting Build and manage strong supplier relationships, driving improvements in performance, reliability and cost Support supplier selection, contracts and long-term agreements, ensuring supply chain resilience Work closely with Engineering, Planning and Operations, including support for new product introduction (NPI) Identify and deliver cost savings and efficiency improvements through negotiation and supplier optimisation Manage and mitigate supply chain risks, including delivery delays, quality issues and non-conformance Ensure compliance with quality standards, audits and regulatory requirements Produce and share regular performance updates, tracking supplier and procurement performance What you'll need to succeed Proven experience in procurement within a manufacturing / engineering environment Previous experience leading or supervising a procurement / buying team Strong knowledge of MRP/ERP systems (e.g. SYSPRO) Experience across supplier management, cost reduction and contract negotiation Ability to understand technical drawings and engineering requirements Strong stakeholder management and leadership capability Experience working within regulated environments (aerospace, automotive, ISO/AS standards) Knowledge of lean principles / continuous improvement methodologies CIPS Level 4 (or equivalent experience) - essential Degree in Engineering, Business or Supply Chain - desirable Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (Green Belt advantageous) What you'll get in return Opportunity to take a leadership role within a growing procurement function Exposure to strategic supplier management and NPI projects A business committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence Competitive salary up to £52,000 depending on experience What you need to do now If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or contact us for a confidential discussion. Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk