Are you a commercially minded procurement or supply chain professional who enjoys influencing strategy before a project even begins? This is your opportunity to play a pivotal role in securing major engineering and defence programmes by developing winning supply chain strategies that make a real difference.
Joining a collaborative and forward-thinking organisation, you'll work at the heart of bid and capture activities, partnering with technical, commercial and business development teams to identify the right suppliers, build strong relationships, and deliver competitive, commercially robust proposals. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment where your expertise directly contributes to winning new business, this role is for you.
The Opportunity
As a Supply Chain Bid Specialist, you'll lead the supply chain element of complex bids and proposals, ensuring supplier capability, commercial value and procurement strategy are aligned to deliver successful outcomes.
You'll work closely with Business Development, Programme, Finance and Bid teams to develop sourcing strategies, engage suppliers, negotiate commercial terms and help position the business for future growth.
What You'll Be Doing
- Develop and maintain a strong supplier network aligned with current and future business opportunities
- Partner with Business Development and Bid teams to shape supply chain strategies for major bids and capture activities
- Identify, assess and engage suppliers, ensuring the best capability, value and innovation are incorporated into proposals
- Act as the primary point of contact for supplier engagement throughout the bid lifecycle
- Support the development and implementation of commercially robust contracts in line with company policies
- Contribute to bid planning, governance, reporting and milestone delivery
- Promote responsible sourcing and social value throughout the procurement process
What We're Looking For
Essential:
- Experience supporting bids, proposals or capture activities within defence, engineering, manufacturing or another regulated industry
- Proven ability to build and manage successful supplier relationships
- Strong commercial negotiation skills with a focus on delivering value
- Good understanding of procurement principles and contract law
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to influence at all levels
Desirable:
- CIPS Level 5 qualification (or currently working towards it)
- WorldCC or equivalent commercial accreditation
- Knowledge of international trade compliance, including ITAR, EAR or similar export control regulations
If you don't meet every requirement but have relevant experience and transferable skills, we'd still encourage you to apply.
What's on Offer
- Flexible and hybrid working options, including a compressed fortnight
- Private healthcare
- Cash health plan
- Holiday buy and sell scheme
- Performance-related bonus
- Structured career development and progression opportunities
- The opportunity to work on high-profile programmes where your contribution directly supports future business success
Security Requirements
Due to the nature of the work, applicants must be UK citizens and be eligible to obtain SC (Security Check) security clearance.
The role will involve occasional travel (approximately 10%) to support business and supplier engagement activities.
Apply Today
If you're looking to combine your procurement expertise with strategic bid work in a collaborative engineering and defence environment, we'd love to hear from you.
For more information, contact Georgia on 07425 490685 or email georgia@copello.co.uk.
