NAVANTIA UK
Corporate Procurement Manager
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Corporate Procurement Manager
Corporate Procurement Manager – Navantia UK
Company Description
Navantia UK is a UK-incorporated company, a subsidiary of Spanish shipbuilding, defence, and offshore wind energy powerhouse Navantia. With over 300 years of experience, Navantia is renowned for designing, building, integrating, and supporting naval vessels for global armed forces. Navantia UK collaborates with UK industrial partners to enhance sovereign shipbuilding capabilities, facilitating critical defence and offshore energy projects.
Job Description
Navantia UK is a UK-registered subsidiary of Navantia S.A., an international leader in naval shipbuilding, defence systems integration, and advanced maritime technologies. With a heritage spanning over 300 years, Navantia delivers cutting-edge naval platforms, operates across shipbuilding lifecycles, and executes transformative programmes worldwide. Navantia UK works in partnership with UK industry to strengthen national defence sovereignty and advance key offshore wind and naval initiatives.
Role Purpose
The Corporate Procurement Manager is the senior leader responsible for defining the strategic direction, governance, and operational resilience of procurement activities across all UK shipbuilding operations. This pivotal role ensures:
- Standardisation and optimisation of procurement for multi-site, high-value, and complex programmes
- Alignment of commercial, contractual, and supply chain strategies with corporate growth plans and industrial capability objectives
- Sustainable cost, schedule, and risk mitigation for critical defence and civilian projects
The role requires authoritative leadership that influences business priorities, supplier performance, and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement Strategy & Governance
- Develop and implement a corporate procurement strategy aligned with UK shipbuilding business expansion and programme execution.
- Establish, enforce, and refine procurement frameworks, policies, and regulatory compliance (including UK export controls, defence standards, and contracts).
- Drive process standardisation and continuous improvement across corporate procurement.
- Provide executive-level guidance on market analytics, supply chain risks, and emerging commercial opportunities.
Strategic Sourcing & Contract Management
- Lead high-value sourcing governance—from Request for Quotation (RFQ), Invitation To Tender (ITT), and contract negotiations to supplier selection and awards for intimate, defence, and offshore programmes.
- Formulate category strategies to deliver cost efficiency, resilience, and long-term value.
- Negotiate and negotiate complex commercial agreements (technical, legal, and scheduling compliance).
- Resolve supplier disputes, claims, and escalations to protect programme integrity and company interests.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Supplier Relationship & Performance Management
- Maintain supplier segmentation models, approved supplier lists and risk management frameworks.
- Develop and execute strategic supplier programmes, including capability audits, performance scorecards, and improvement action plans.
- Foster collaborative partnerships with key suppliers to enhance innovation, industrial collaboration, and operational robustness.
- Monitor supplier performance across quality, delivery, cost, capacity, and compliance indicators.
Operational Procurement & Supply Chain Integration
- Ensure procurement supports engineering, production, logistics, and programme timelines.
- Manage materials availability, logistics coordination, warehousing, and cross-site supply chain performance.
- Support bid and proposal teams with competitive sourcing intelligence and market analysis.
- Initiative cost optimisation, value engineering, and supply chain efficiency across all operational areas.
Systems, Data, & Performance Management
- Lead the implementation and optimisation of ERP platforms (e.g., SAP) and document management tools (e.g., OpenText).
- Develop procurement KPIs, dashboards, and reporting tools to enhance transparency.
- Provide data-driven insights to inform executive decision-making and strategic direction.
Leadership & People Management
- Lead a distributed procurement team across UK sites, fostering accountability, collaboration, and high performance.
- Oversee workforce hiring, succession planning, and talent development.
- Ensure compliance with employment legislation, wellbeing standards, and equality/diversity inclusion.
- Support employee engagement processes (including grievance resolution and union relations).
Qualifications
Essential
- Extensive procurement experience in shipbuilding, defence, engineering, construction, manufacturing, or heavy industry.
- Specialist knowledge of procurement governance, strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, supplier relationship management.
- Proven ability to lead high-value RFQ/ITT processes, negotiate major commercial deals.
- ERP experience (preferably SAP) and procurement software proficient.
- Strong commercial analysis, negotiation, and problem-resolution acumen.
- Track record of cross-functional collaboration and multi-site leadership.
- Judgment and influence over strategic stakeholders.
- Understanding of employment laws, people management, and organisational development.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Desirable
- Prior experience in the defence, maritime, or shipbuilding sectors.
- Familiarity with OpenText or similar document/digital management systems.
- Proven expertise in procurement transformation, commercial integration, or organisational improvement.
Leadership Expectations
The Corporate Procurement Manager holds independent authority to:
- Recommend strategic decisions on procurement direction and resource allocation.
- Interpret market and programme data to guide commercial strategy.
- Resolve complex supply chain challenges through collaborative leadership.
- Collaborate with suppliers, stakeholders, and senior leadership across functions.
Working Environment
- Primarily office-based with regular travel to UK-based shipyard facilities and supplier sites.
- Occasional overnight travel may be required to meet programme deadlines.
- Extended working hours may apply depending on execution timelines.
Our Values & Commitments
The position aligns with Navantia UK’s deliverables—and embodies the STEADY values: Service | Trust | Excellence | Agility | Dedication | You
- ência Examples include uncompromised adherence to technical and commercial excellence, confidence in biossey, and ensuring every programme is delivered "no matter the ostate".
Additional Information
- BPSS security clearance is mandatory as part of onboarding.
- Navantia UK is an Opening Doors employer, committed to counter discrimination and accessibility. We offer reasonable adjustments and actively seek a diverse talent pool.
Contact applications@navantia.com for assistance if you encounter technical difficulties accessing the application system.
Location: Belfast (New Build) Department: Corporate Board Employment Type: Permanent
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills