Associate Procurement Director

Role: Associate Procurement Director

Sector: Major Defence Manufacturing Programme

Location: East Midlands Hybrid Working

Duration: 12 month+ contract

About the Client

Our client is a leading international consultancy and delivery partner specialising in programme management, project controls, commercial management, cost consultancy and construction delivery services. Operating across major infrastructure, defence, transportation, manufacturing, aviation, energy and property sectors, the organisation supports some of the UK's most complex and high-profile capital investment programmes.

With a strong reputation for delivering large-scale projects from concept through to completion, the business provides integrated advisory and delivery solutions that help clients manage risk, optimise performance and achieve successful project outcomes. Their teams work collaboratively with public and private sector organisations, offering expertise in programme leadership, commercial strategy, cost management, procurement, planning and project governance.

The Opportunity

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced procurement leader to join a nationally significant defence infrastructure and advanced manufacturing programme. As Associate Procurement Director, you will provide strategic leadership across procurement, supply chain management and commercial delivery activities, supporting the development and execution of a multi-billion-pound capital investment programme.

Working closely with client leadership, programme directors, commercial teams and delivery partners, you will play a critical role in shaping procurement strategies, delivery models and market engagement activities that support successful programme outcomes.

This position will operate at senior leadership level and will influence key investment decisions, procurement governance and supply chain strategy throughout project development and delivery.

The role is ideally suited to an individual with significant experience leading procurement functions on major infrastructure, defence, nuclear, energy, transportation, industrial manufacturing or similarly regulated programmes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Procurement Leadership

• Lead the development and implementation of programme-wide procurement and supply chain strategies.
• Provide strategic procurement advice to programme leadership, client stakeholders and governance boards.
• Establish procurement governance frameworks, policies and assurance processes. Early Contractor Involvement (ECI)
• Lead procurement support during ECI and pre-construction phases.
• Influence contractor selection strategies and procurement approaches.
• Support the development of collaborative delivery models and target cost arrangements.
• Drive early supply chain engagement to improve certainty, affordability and programme outcomes.

Commercial & Contract Leadership

• Collaborate with commercial and legal teams to develop procurement and contract strategies.
• Advise on risk allocation, supplier obligations and contractual structures.
• Support target cost development and major contract negotiations.
• Ensure procurement decisions align with programme affordability and value-for money objectives.

Governance, Risk & Assurance

• Lead procurement governance and assurance activities across the programme.
• Identify and manage strategic procurement and supply chain risks.
• Develop mitigation plans for critical procurement challenges and market constraints.

Stakeholder & Client Leadership

• Act as the senior procurement representative across the programme.
• Build trusted relationships with executive stakeholders, programme directors and delivery partners.
• Support business case development, investment approvals and strategic decision-making.
• Represent the programme externally with suppliers, contractors and industry partners. Essential

Experience

• Extensive experience leading procurement and supply chain functions on major capital projects and programmes.
• Proven experience operating at Senior Manager, Associate Director, Director or Head of Procurement level.
• Strong experience developing procurement strategies for large-scale infrastructure, construction, engineering or manufacturing projects.

Desirable Experience

• Defence, nuclear, aerospace, manufacturing, transportation, energy or utilities sector experience.
• Experience supporting projects during Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phases.
• Experience supporting programmes valued in excess of 500 million.
• Familiarity with government procurement frameworks and regulated procurement environments.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Commercial Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline.
• MCIPS qualification highly desirable.

Security Requirements

• BPSS Clearance required or ability to obtain.
• Active SC Clearance highly desirable.