Senior Procurement Associate

We have an exciting opportunity to work for our global client located in Cambridgeshire. The role is a full-time temporary 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.

This position will drive execution of key strategic projects and the management of global suppliers supporting our organisation’s multi-year supply and manufacturing optimisation initiatives.

This position will partner with external suppliers who manufacturer and or distributor electronic components as well as contract manufacturers who produce sub-assemblies or finished products. All of these direct materials support the manufacturing and sales of our organisation’s identification and monitoring products.

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

This position will thrive on the need to leverage exceptional analytical capabilities, firm project management skills, proactive problem-solving skills, and strong collaborative communication to ensure long-term supply assurance, cost of goods improvements and overall successful project execution.

Role Functions

(Functions include, but are not limited to, the following)

• 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. Collaborate with legal and procurement teams to resolve contractual issues and mitigate supplier-related risks.

• 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. Conduct thorough supplier audits to assess their ability to meet quality, cost, and delivery expectations. 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. Generate executive-ready dashboards and reports to communicate performance, compliance, and risks to senior stakeholders, and use these metrics to drive Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and continuous improvement initiatives.

• 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, financial stability, geopolitical factors, and regulatory compliance that may impact the supply chain. Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies to minimize disruptions.

• 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. Proactively identify opportunities for process improvements and implement industry-leading practices to enhance supplier management capabilities within the organization.

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

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required. Fields of study in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering (Electrical/Industrial), or a related technical/scientific field preferred.

• Overall Experience: Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management, or procurement.

• Industry Context: At least 3 years of experience working within a highly regulated manufacturing industry (specifically Electronics/High-Tech, Medical Devices, Biotech, or Pharmaceuticals)

• Systems & Tools: Proficiency with ERP systems (such as SAP), advanced data analytics/visualization tools (such as Power BI or advanced Excel) for KPI dashboarding and reporting, and experience using SAP’s ARIBA procurement platform for streamline sourcing and procurement related activities is 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