Forward Sourcing Engineer

Job Description

Product Purchasing Specialist
Chelmsford Area - On Site Role


We are currently partnering with a well-established global manufacturing and engineering organisation who are looking to appoint aProduct Purchasing Specialistto join their growing Global Procurement team.

Our client operates within a highly technical innovation-driven environment where early supplier involvement and strategic sourcing play a critical role in product development success. They work closely with R&D engineering and operations teams to ensure materials components and supplier strategies are aligned from initial concept through to end-of-life.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a strong procurement or engineering background who enjoys working at the interface of product development and supply chain strategy contributing to cost optimisation supplier selection and time-to-market improvements within international projects.

In role you will play a key role in supporting procurement activity across the full product lifecycle. You will work closely with cross-functional teams and global stakeholders to ensure effective sourcing strategies are implemented from early development through to series production and product phase-out. You will also contribute to supplier evaluation cost control initiatives and procurement reporting within innovation projects.

The role is based in the Chelmsford area and is an office based role.

Key Responsibilities
Support forward sourcing activities from early concept through to end-of-life product phases
Manage RFQs supplier negotiations and award processes in alignment with category strategies
Support cost estimation cost control and cost optimisation activities within innovation projects
Coordinate and implement procurement planning scheduling and supplier engagement activities
Involve suppliers early in the development process to support innovation and technical alignment
Support make-or-buy analysis platform concepts and standardisation initiatives
Prepare procurement documentation in line with internal standards (e.g. risk analysis SCM concepts)
Maintain and update ERP master data relating to sourcing activities
Request and track material compliance documentation from suppliers
Provide reporting on sourcing activities KPIs and project procurement performance

Experience Required
Degree in Business Administration Industrial Engineering Engineering or related discipline
Experience in international sourcing supply chain or product development environments
Understanding of strategic purchasing and project-based procurement
Exposure to forward sourcing or early-stage procurement activity
Experience working in project environments (ideally with R&D or engineering teams)
Strong analytical skills with a structured and methodical approach
Confident communication skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders

Salary:
Benefits:25 days holiday BUPA healthcare Pension

If this role sounds of interest please apply and I can give you a call.

Tim Stock