Senior Procurement Manager / Subcontract Manager – DEFENCE

Overview

In this role you lead a procurement and subcontract team within a defence-focused organisation, managing high‑value contracts across the full lifecycle. You will influence senior stakeholders, drive supplier performance, and shape procurement strategy for complex programmes that support national security and international partners. The role combines strategic sourcing, governance, and risk management to enable on-time, on-budget delivery. This opportunity offers hybrid work in Bristol and the chance to impact critical engineering and defence projects.

Pay / Benefits

• salary: competitive
• bonus
• excellent benefits
• hybrid working
• on-site presence 1-2 days per week
• occasional UK and international travel

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of procurement specialists across multiple programmes
• Manage a portfolio of high-value supplier contracts and subcontract arrangements through the full lifecycle
• Ensure procurement activities support on-time delivery, budget, and quality standards
• Negotiate contracts and terms with critical suppliers and subcontractors
• Provide commercial guidance to project, engineering and technical stakeholders
• Drive supplier performance, risk management and continuous improvement across the supply base
• Ensure governance, authorisation, and procurement process compliance
• Support tendering, supplier selection, and new business opportunities
• Lead negotiations to protect business interests and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks and maximise commercial opportunities
• Build strong relationships with suppliers, customers, and senior stakeholders
• Support complex engineering and defence project delivery through subcontract management

Key requirements

• Experience in procurement, subcontract management, commercial contracts or supply chain management
• Proven experience leading or mentoring procurement professionals
• Strong contract negotiation skills with drafting and reviewing terms
• Experience managing supplier relationships and complex subcontract arrangements
• Knowledge of procurement governance, compliance and due diligence
• Experience supporting procurement tendering and competitive sourcing
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced project environment
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills with senior-level influence
• Strong commercial awareness balancing risk, cost, quality, and delivery
• Highly organised with attention to detail and procedural compliance
• Experience in defence, aerospace, engineering, manufacturing or highly regulated sectors would be advantageous
• Eligibility to live and work in the UK and security clearance capability

• Stakeholder influence at senior levels
• Strong communication and negotiation
• Strategic thinking and organisational discipline
• Contract negotiation
• Subcontract management
• Procurement governance and compliance

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