We are Ultra Precision Control Systems

Ultra PCS is a leading developer of mission and safety critical equipment in the defence and aerospace industry. Our team of experts are at the heart of our success, which is why we are dedicated to fostering a safe working environment and a positive culture where every staff member feels valued and respected.

We solve our customers' problems, providing engineering solutions to safety and mission critical challenges in the air and on the ground. Our solutions can be found in the latest military aircraft and vehicles, in civil aircraft, and in unmanned vehicles.

We also offer innovative products optimised to support the unique challenges of the dismounted soldier. We help to ensure our customers get to where they need to be safely, achieve their objectives and keep on going back.

Flexible Working

Wherever possible, we will consider a variety of working options to suit your lifestyle, whether that be hybrid home/office working, flexible working and part or full time employment. It's the 'innovating' and 'empowering' values that we ASPIRE to be. We welcome the challenge to work in new ways and have trust in you when getting the job done because we recognise, our business is our people.

Job Description

Lead the Tactical Procurement team by executing the business requirements with its global supply chain:

To lead a team delivering world-class procurement capabilities, partnering with internal stakeholders to ensure they receive maximum value for all money spent with suppliers. This is accomplished by executing effective supplier management and sourcing decisions. Adding value by aligning ourselves with the best suppliers, promoting continuous improvement in supplier performance and driving compliance. Continuously striving to obtain the right price & quality for the right product or service.

The Head of Tactical Procurement will report to the Supply Chain Director.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure team compliance with all Health & Safety Policies and active participation in maintaining high standards towards a safe working environment
• Proactively support the development of individuals within the team, through the PDR process, related training, and coaching, keeping succession planning at the forefront of personal development and training objectives.
• Lead the supply chain tactical team to place and monitor performance against those delivery commitments to achieve a >98% OTIF against business-wanted date (including quality of >99%).
• Proactively manage supplier recovery when deemed necessary, communicating action plans to relevant internal stake holders as well as implementing preventative measures to mitigate repeats
• Ensure that Procurement parameters in IFS are continuously reviewed and kept up to date
• Ensure the Tactical team perform their daily functions using a standard approach, adhering to procedures and work instructions.
• Implement periodic material lead time reviews to ensure the supply chain market conditions are reflected in IFS. Ensuring adjustments and communicated to internal stakeholders.
• Create a supplier strategy that ensures that 100% order cover is placed on suppliers for all orders that have been accepted and loaded in IFS in order to benefit from best economies of scales of pricing and to improve supplier OTIF (Wanted date) to >98%.
• Effectively manage tier 1 supply chain to ensure full implementation of our business purchase orders on their sub-tiers to facilitate continuity of supply at the right cost to scheduled requirements.
• Lead supplier cost reduction workshops to achieve year on year savings (KPI to be agreed)
• Conduct periodic supplier business reviews in collaboration with the Head of Sourcing & Resilience with all key strategic suppliers.
• Collaborate with the equivalent leads in operations, quality, engineering, PM and other functions to meet the business commitments & future requirements.
• Manage the entire lifecycle of sourcing and procurement projects
• Reduce working capital by analysing & controlling all aspects of material supply to minimise stock holding and maximise inventory turns
• Build strong working relationships with suppliers, ensuring business objectives are implemented and managed
• Identify, present and influence Technology Enablement solutions to drive efficiency with current & future designs
• Continuously strive to identify & deliver efficiency & cost savings
• Implement a set of smart kpi’s to drive a step change in department and supplier performance. Cost, Inventory, service levels, lead time reductions
• Ensure Tactical Supply Chain team are the point of contact with suppliers for all related issues, initiatives for production materials
• Timely closure for supplier related commercial issues
• Perform monthly dept reviews, reporting performance, risks, initiatives & objectives
• Responsible for adhoc pricing negotiations that are not covered by supplier agreements
• Implement a culture and behaviour of challenging and seeking robust resolutions to supplier issues that arise
• Manage security of information as defined in the Security manual

Required Skills & Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in a senior procurement role within the Defence and Aerospace Industry.
• Professionally qualified to MCIPS level or equivalent.
• Proven ability to lead and manage a team.
• Experienced in talent management & development, including the support of recruitment, retention, performance feedback, mentoring & development of the team.
• Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Experience in strategic planning and execution.

Security Clearance:

Candidates must be able to achieve a SC security clearance

Benefits:

Every employee is critical to our success and as such we offer a range of flexible employee benefits along with career development opportunities.

• Flexible working within core working hours
• 25 days holiday with the option to buy/sell 5 days plus bank holidays.
• 4 times your annual salary in life assurance
• Flexible benefits package
• Pension Scheme - Less than 5 years' service up to 5.5% employer contributions, 5 years' service + up to 7.5% employer contributions. 
• Sports and Social club
• Supportive and friendly working environment with regular team events

You couldn’t be joining the team and Ultra at a more exciting time. Therefore if this sounds of interest, please follow the application process

Nationality Requirements

Candidates must be able to work in the UK without restrictions in accordance with UK National Law and be prepared to successfully undertake an appropriate level of UK National Security Vetting according to UK Government National Security Vetting criteria.

Diverse & Inclusive Employer

Ultra PCS is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity, inclusion, equity and equality. Underpinned by our values, behaviours, and policies, we want you to feel empowered to be your best and authentic self.

We promote a workplace that welcomes people from all backgrounds and cultures; believing that this will increase our diversity of thinking, and ultimately ensure we continue delivering on our commitments to our customers.

We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status and welcome applications from all candidates.