Supply Chain Specialist

We have an exciting opportunity for a Supply Chain Specialist to join our team on a 12-month fixed-term contract based in Severn Beach, Bristol. In this role, you'll play a key part in supporting successful New Product Introductions (NPI), working closely with Development, Manufacturing Engineering, and Strategic Sourcing teams to ensure robust and effective supply chain solutions are built in from the start. You'll represent the Procurement function throughout the product development lifecycle, leading supply chain project activities and driving actions that support manufacturing and sourcing strategies. This is a great opportunity to make a visible impact, influence key decisions, and contribute to the successful launch of innovative products. Key Responsibilities: Programme managing and working in partnership with design engineers, manufacturing engineers and the project governance team to ensure that prototype parts are sourced to achieve project requirements and a supply chain is established before product launch that achieves the cost target requirements. Multiple projects may need to be handled concurrently, so excellent time management and workload management skills are required alongside technical expertise. To operate with complete autonomy, taking the sole responsibility for the aspects of projects relating to supply chain. The ability to make good judgements proactively with far-reaching consequences for the business is critical. Prepare, produce, and share in conjunction with the NPI team, Group Strategic sourcing and the Purchasing Manager, vendor selection and sourcing board packs, business cases, Project Plans with timescales, critical path points and completion dates. Progress reporting through self-managed project dashboards to track progress, including changes to the project scope and schedule. Participate in supplier selections, visiting key suppliers during the process and/or set up process until long-term arrangements are established. Act as an account manager for the supplier on behalf of the project. Manage and communicate new designs or changes to suppliers. Include considerations of IP through critical manufacturing processes. Education / Qualifications: Purchasing qualification by experience or education (CIPS level 4) or significant experience of working in a purchasing function. Programme Management qualification/experience. Qualification in a technical discipline (i.e. HNC/HND or Degree) Professional Skills/ Abilities: Able to build effective relationships. Strong Excel and data analysis skills. ERP and MRP fluent, ideally E1 (JD Edwards), SAP or Oracle. Able to manage conflicting priorities and people. A track record in an engineering/production environment driven by challenging deadlines and managing changes to ensure quality and delivery objectives are achieved. Personal Qualities: Develops innovative ideas and encourages others to do so. Works as part of a team to develop business strategies and translates them into objectives for own area of the business. Manages and maintains performance, setting clear standards and challenging people to achieve results. Customer-focused by investigating the needs of internal and external customers. Commercially aware, ensuring technical developments and other activities are clearly linked to commercial and financial outcomes. Takes accountability for decisions, challenges conventional thinking and takes appropriate risks to achieve goals. Anticipates events in the short and medium term and their impact on people and the business, taking action to avoid problems. Self-confident, proactive, and tenacious with a high attention to detail.