Senior Procurement Associate

We have an exciting opportunity to work for our global client located in Cambridgeshire. The role is a full-time temp contract position signed off for 2 years. Our client offers hybrid working (2-3 days on site per week) and the role offers an hourly rate of £23.69 - £40.31 per hour depending on experience, plus 25 days holiday pro rata per annum and other benefits.

Success in this role requires a deep understanding of supplier management principles and practices, specifically within the complex electronics manufacturing industry.

Role Functions

• Lead contract negotiations with suppliers to secure favorable terms and conditions, ensuring alignment with company policies and regulatory standards. Monitor and enforce compliance with contractual obligations, including pricing, delivery schedules, quality requirements, and other key performance metrics.
• Execute long-term strategic sourcing plans for critical electronic components and sub-assemblies. Analyse global market trends, identify cost optimisation opportunities, and drive total cost of ownership (TCO) reductions while ensuring continuous supply and mitigating component shortages for global manufacturing operations.
• Lead and execute high-impact cross-functional procurement and manufacturing optimisation projects. Develop detailed project plans, manage complex timelines, track deliverables across internal teams and external CMOs, and ensure alignment with strategic business goals, including achieving targeted cost savings and supply assurance.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with global suppliers, acting as the main point of contact for all supplier-related matters. Develop an in-depth understanding of supplier capabilities, performance, and strategic alignment with company objectives. Conduct regular supplier performance evaluations and follow-up actions to drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify potential suppliers, evaluate their qualifications, capabilities, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Make informed recommendations on supplier selection and ensure smooth integration of new suppliers into the supply chain.
• Establish, monitor, and manage comprehensive Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to evaluate supplier health and operational excellence.
• Proactively identify and assess potential risks within the supplier base, developing and implementing risk mitigation strategies to ensure uninterrupted supply. Continuously monitor the market for changes in supplier capabilities that may impact the supply chain. Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including Procurement, Quality Assurance, Research & Development, and Manufacturing, to align supplier management activities with overall business objectives. Provide subject matter expertise and guidance on supplier-related matters, contributing to cross-functional projects and initiatives.
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices related to supplier management, ensuring compliance with relevant regulatory requirements, quality standards, and ethical guidelines.

Experience, Knowledge & Skills

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional procurement projects and manufacturing transfers from conception to completion, keeping deliverables on track across internal teams and external CMOs.
• Extensive experience drafting, negotiating, and enforcing global Master Services Agreements (MSAs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to protect commercial interests and mitigate risks.
• Deep knowledge of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) models, category management, and global market dynamics to strategically source critical electronic components and sub-assemblies.
• Strong relationship management skills using structured frameworks (e.g., Kraljic Matrix) to drive collaborative innovation, continuous improvement, and long-term strategic alignment with key suppliers.
• Experience in establishing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) (such as OTIF) and building data visualization dashboards (Power BI/Excel) to drive rigorous Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs).
• Strong capability in conducting geopolitical and financial risk assessments to build robust Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) and dual-sourcing strategies that prevent supply chain disruptions.
• Stakeholder management skills with a proven track record of bridging the gap between highly technical teams (Engineering, QA, R&D) and commercial/legal business units.
• Strong ability to synthesize complex supply chain data and operational issues into concise, high-impact briefings and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Experience managing suppliers of electronic components, printed circuit boards (PCBs), sensors, or microchips is highly preferred due to the focus on animal electronic monitoring products.
• Experience managing international supplier networks and external Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) across different time zones and cultures.

Qualifications & Education

• Bachelor’s degree required in Supply Chain Management, Business Admin, Engineering (Electrical/Industrial), or a related technical/scientific field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management, or procurement.
• At least 3 years of experience working within a highly regulated manufacturing industry (specifically Electronics/High-Tech, Medical Devices, Biotech, or Pharmaceuticals)
• Proficiency with ERP systems (such as SAP), advanced data analytics/visualization tools for KPI dashboarding and reporting, and experience using SAP’s ARIBA procurement platform (preferred).

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion. We appreciate your interest and wish you the best of luck in your job search.