Supply Chain Specialist

Role Purpose

Negotiates favourable terms, volume discounts and long-term contracts with suppliers and prepares and processes requisitions and purchase orders for the procurement of technical equipment, custom engineered products, systems, software or components. Acquires and maintains understanding of technology trends, market forces, cost trends and supplier technology road maps. Reviews purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to organisation policy and discusses defects and delivery problems with suppliers and negotiates refunds.

The role is accountable for providing a best in class procurement service to all QinetiQ employees for the delivery of procurement projects across the full range of spend.

The Supply Chain Specialist will be responsible for executing the cost effective and timely delivery of procurement requirements in support of bidding activity. The Supply Chain Specialist is responsible for driving the sourcing process, identification of Risk and Opportunities, and for working collaboratively with key stakeholders within the business to execute the procurement strategy for the full range of procurement projects. The Sourcing Specialist is responsible for the Procurement supplier reporting requirements of the function.

There will be equal focus on driving out unnecessary expenditure in order to reduce corporate overhead and the timely delivery of contractual solutions within the Project timescales.

The Supply Chain Specialist will need to be able to develop supplier relationships in order to meet QinetiQ’s aspirations. This will require knowledge of specific defence, engineering and/or cyber domains and associated supply chains.

Key Accountabilities

Develop strong relationships with key stakeholders in order to influence behaviours and ensure appropriate involvement of Procurement in all sourcing activities.

Maintain awareness of the restrictions, controls and accreditations that are placed upon suppliers working in a Defence environment, ensuring at all times that both sourcing strategies and the incumbent supplier base do not jeopardise or threaten internal compliance

Ensure compliance with process, governance and controls as agreed in the Procurement Code of Practice and Sourcing methodology.

Collaboratively develop plans with key stakeholders to ensure alignment of targets, improve supplier performance, and implement continuous improvement plans across spend.

Collaborate with peers to develop and enhance systems, process, and best practice sharing to help QinetiQ achieve best in class performance, and bring consistency to sourcing activities.

Key Capabilities/Knowledge

Adaptive and change focused; able to adapt pace of delivery to meet business requirements.

Natural and articulate around management. Good listening skills and able to focus on issues critical to senior leaders. Can deliver communication concisely and steer conversation towards decisions needed.

Has the technical knowledge of Category

Highly customer focused and concerned with meeting and exceeding customer expectations.

Highly results oriented. Keeps the organization on track and delivery oriented.

Emotionally intelligent and comfortably relates to many different types of people. Is personally self-aware of strengths and weaknesses.

Experience & Qualifications

Degree in a Business or Engineering discipline, or equivalent experience

CIPS Qualified or working towards

1+ years in a Procurement or Supply Chain related role

Knowledge of procurement systems and infrastructure.

Proven contract negotiation skills.

Why join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

You’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experience enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in an diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture here.

Joining QinetiQ offers you an opportunity to work on a broad range of interesting defence-based projects with vast career progression across a global organisation in addition to competitive personal and professional benefits. You’ll receive a highly competitive salary and benefits package: our basic salaries are very attractive as we constantly review what’s happening in the market. The range of benefits that we offer include, adaptive and flexible working, generous holiday entitlements, Health Cash Plan, Private