Principal Procurement Manager

Our client is a consultancy that provides training solutions and services to National Security and Defence companies.

As the Principal Procurement Manager you will develop strategic procurement strategies and lead end‑to‑end procurement activities across the lifecycle.

Working patterns:
Hybrid – 2‑3 days per week on site.

• Lead the team to deliver agreed objectives, ensuring high performance and accountability.
• Provide mentoring and guidance to support the development of the wider function and direct team members.
• Drive added value across the supply chain and function by applying strong procurement expertise.
• Offer specialist advice and insight to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Resolve queries and complex issues by collaborating with colleagues across the business to fully understand root causes.
• Proactively engage with stakeholders to discuss risks, emerging issues and positive outcomes.
• Identify and implement opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Work closely with the Social Value Senior Compliance Manager to ensure contractual KPIs are met.
• Create, manage and continuously enhance the organisation's Preferred Supplier List (PSL), ensuring rigorous supplier evaluation, regular performance review, and alignment with procurement strategy and compliance requirements.
• Lead the end‑to‑end process for onboarding, assessing, and rationalising suppliers, ensuring that only high‑performing, value‑driven suppliers are included on the PSL.
• Work collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure the PSL is understood, adopted and leveraged effectively across the business.

• Deliver measurable commercial value, including annual cost savings, cost avoidance, and increased spend under contract.
• Drive high supplier performance, demonstrated through PSL adoption, supplier scorecard results, and efficient onboarding and rationalisation processes.
• Maintain robust compliance and governance, ensuring adherence to procurement policies.
• Develop and lead a high‑performing team, measured through engagement scores, professional development progress and productivity improvements.
• Strengthen stakeholder relationships, reflected in satisfaction scores, effective communication of risks and opportunities, and conversion of identified commercial opportunities.
• Accelerate continuous improvement, through implemented initiatives, process efficiency gains and adoption of enhanced procurement tools, standards, and practices.

• 27 days holiday each year.
• Holiday buying scheme.
• Medicash plan.
• Gympass.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
  
  Employee Assistance Programme.
• 2 days per year charity leave.
• Group income protection and life insurance.
• Access to the employee discounts benefit hub with hundreds of deals and savings on goods and experiences, season ticket loan, tech scheme and an employee referral scheme.

Our client is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.

You will be required to hold a minimum of SC Clearance. If you do not hold an active SC clearance, please familiarise yourself with the vetting process before applying.