Sourcing Lead

Location: Stevenage (Hybrid Working)
Rate: £62 per hour (Umbrella)
Contract Length: 6 Months (Potential Extension)
Security Clearance: Candidates must be eligible for UK security clearance.

Sourcing Lead - Defence & Advanced Manufacturing

We are recruiting for an experienced Sourcing Lead to join a leading defence and engineering organisation during an exciting period of supply chain growth and transformation.

This role sits within a newly established Procurement function focused on strengthening the UK supply chain, supporting production ramp-up activities, and securing future sourcing capability across complex engineering programmes. As a Sourcing Lead, you will take ownership of major sourcing initiatives within the Mechanical Structures category, leading complex RFx activities and working closely with stakeholders across Procurement, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Programme Management.

This is an excellent opportunity for a strategic procurement professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys delivering commercial value while building long-term supplier partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing

• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities in line with category and procurement strategies.
• Manage and deliver complex RFx processes, from market engagement through to contract award.
• Identify, assess, and onboard new suppliers to support future capacity and supply chain resilience.
• Conduct market analysis, supplier segmentation, spend analysis, and future capability assessments.
• Utilise procurement methodologies and tools such as Kraljic Matrix and Porter's Five Forces to support sourcing decisions.
• Present sourcing recommendations and commercial strategies to senior stakeholders.

Contract Management & Commercial Negotiation

• Develop and implement commercial agreements with suppliers.
• Lead contract negotiations to ensure optimal commercial outcomes.
• Define and execute negotiation strategies that balance cost, quality, delivery, and risk.
• Deliver cost reduction and value improvement initiatives across the supply base.
• Apply a strong understanding of commercial principles and contract law in supplier engagements.

Supplier Development & Risk Management

• Partner with Supply Chain and Category teams to drive supplier performance improvements.
• Identify and assess supplier risks across quality, delivery, capacity, and commercial areas.
• Develop mitigation plans and secure stakeholder support for risk management activities.
• Support long-term supplier development programmes and capability growth.

Change & Transformation

• Manage supplier transitions and onboarding activities to ensure seamless implementation.
• Support procurement transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of best-practice sourcing processes and governance.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience leading complex sourcing and procurement activities within a manufacturing, engineering, aerospace, defence, or highly regulated environment.
• Strong track record delivering complex RFx events and supplier selection programmes.
• CIPS qualification (or equivalent professional procurement experience).
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience leading commercial negotiations and managing supplier relationships.
• Strong understanding of productlifecycle stages, including:
  • New Product Introduction (NPI)
  • Low-Rate Initial Production
  • Full-Rate Production Ramp-Up
  • Legacy and Sustainment Programmes
• Ability to analyse open-book costing models and identify Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) reduction opportunities.
• Knowledge of manufacturing cost drivers, machine/load-centre rates, and cost architecture principles.
• Comfortable presenting sourcing strategies, business cases, and commercial recommendations to senior leadership.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive contract rate of £62 per hour Umbrella.
• Initial 6-month contract with potential extension.
• Opportunity to influence strategic supply chain decisions on high-profile engineering programmes.
• Exposure to complex procurement challenges within a technologically advanced environment.
• Collaborative and forward-thinking procurement team.
• Hybrid working arrangement with flexibility.