Role: Procurement Officer / Buyer (Sourcing)
Location: Bristol City Centre
Onsite: 4 days per week, WFH on Fridays
Salary: £38,000 – £45,000 basic pay and on top a guaranteed bonus of £8,000 +
Benefits: Full funding for professional qualifications
Industry: Maritime & Defence (experience in this sector is an advantage, not a requirement)
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are looking for a proactive and commercially focused Sourcing Procurement Officer to join our growing Procurement team. This role sits at the heart of our strategic sourcing activity, ensuring robust, competitive, and sustainable supply solutions are in place to support business requirements.
Working in a fast‑paced SME environment, you will play a key role in identifying, engaging, and developing suppliers through effective market analysis and structured sourcing activity. You will build strong, collaborative relationships with both new and existing suppliers, leading negotiations, driving value, and ensuring agreements are aligned to business needs. Through thoughtful engagement, commercial insight, and a proactive approach, you will help strengthen supplier capability and long‑term performance.
You will support project delivery across the business, working closely with internal stakeholders and the wider Procurement team to align sourcing strategies, manage priorities, and ensure a smooth transition from sourcing into operational delivery.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead sourcing activities from initial requirement through to supplier selection and contract award
- Develop and issue RFQs, ITTs, and other sourcing documentation, ensuring clear, structured, and compliant tender processes
- Conduct market research and supplier analysis to identify new opportunities and mitigate risk
- Develop and manage strong relationships with both new and existing suppliers
- Negotiate pricing, terms, and agreements to deliver best value while maintaining strong supplier partnerships
- Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders including Operational Procurement, Projects, Bids & Business Development
- Support the development and delivery of sourcing strategies aligned to business and programme requirements
- Ensure robust supplier selection, onboarding, and handover into operational delivery
- Maintain accurate sourcing and commercial data, with strong attention to detail across all activities
- Identify commercial and supply chain risks and implement mitigation strategies where required
- Support Assistant Procurement Officer's in daily activities & escalation where required
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
- Minimum of 5 years' experience within a procurement or supply chain role
- Strong understanding of sourcing fundamentals (RFQs/ITTs, supplier selection, negotiation, and contract award)
- Proven negotiation skills - able to be firm but fair, delivering value while maintaining strong supplier relationships
- Strong analytical capability, with advanced Excel skills and the ability to interpret and present data effectively
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
- A proactive, self‑motivated, can‑do attitude with the ability to work at pace
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work to fixed deadlines within a dynamic SME environment
- Comfortable working cross‑functionally with internal and external stakeholders
- MRP / ERP experience and ability to learn and adapt to new systems
- Full driving licence and willingness to travel within the UK and internationally
- Ability to obtain the relevant Security Clearance (SC)
- Interest in or experience within the defence sector (desirable)
- Applicable qualifications CIPS, APICS, NVQ or Degree in Procurement (desirable)
WHY JOIN US
- Be part of a collaborative, growing SME delivering critical solutions into the defence sector
- Work in a fast‑paced, high‑impact environment where your contribution is visible and you can make a real difference to both the team and wider organisation
- Join a supportive and forward‑thinking Procurement team that values collaboration, continuous improvement, and shared success
- Opportunities for development and progression within Procurement, with exposure across both Operational and Sourcing activities, as well as the opportunity to gain Project‑related experience
- Be part of a function that is evolving, giving you the chance to contribute ideas, shape processes, and influence how we work
- Gain exposure to a wide and varied supply chain, building strong supplier relationships and developing your commercial and operational skillset
- Competitive salary and benefits package, including profit share bonus scheme
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