NPI & Bid Manager (Defence & Aerospace)

TL;DR

NPI & Bid Manager (Defence & Aerospace): Lead project procurement team delivering world-class procurement capabilities for new products and bids with an accent on supplier management, DFM/DFT activities, and total cost of ownership optimization. Focus on influencing engineering designs, ensuring production readiness, and driving efficiency through strategic sourcing and make/buy decisions.

Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, UK (hybrid home/office working possible where feasible). Candidates must be able to work in the UK without restrictions and prepared to undertake UK National Security Vetting.

Company

Leading developer of mission and safety critical equipment for defence, aerospace, military aircraft, vehicles, civil aircraft, and unmanned vehicles.

What you will do

• Lead and develop the project & bid procurement team, providing status updates and ensuring business priorities are met.
• Establish long-term supplier partnerships focusing on total cost, quality, and on-time delivery; reduce supplier base and monitor market conditions.
• Support NPI and bid processes through production readiness reviews, capacity planning, and DFM/DFT to optimise designs and reduce costs.
• Influence new product designs with engineering using supply chain intelligence and implement make/buy strategies for turnkey supplier solutions.
• Collaborate across operations, quality, engineering, and PM functions; identify technology enablement and deliver efficiency/cost savings.
• Report monthly to Head of Sourcing & Resilience on initiatives, opportunities, risks, and objectives.

Requirements

• Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary procurement/project sourcing teams in complex engineering/manufacturing environments, ideally aerospace/defence.
• Strong leadership, commercial acumen, strategic sourcing, supplier management, and cost reduction track record.
• Deep knowledge of NPI, bid processes, DFM/DFT, product lifecycle, production readiness, and make/buy decisions.
• Analytical skills for market trends, risks, and process improvements; excellent communication for senior stakeholder engagement.
• Degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business or related (MCIPS preferred); understanding of defence/aerospace compliance and IP.

Culture & Benefits

• Flexible working within core hours, hybrid home/office options, part/full time where possible.
• 25 days holiday + buy/sell option, bank holidays, 4x salary life assurance.
• Pension up to 7.5% employer contribution, flexible benefits package.
• Sports and social club, supportive environment with team events.