Supply Chain Manager
Are you ready to revolutionise the world with TEKEVER?
At TEKEVER, we lead innovation in Europe as the European leader in unmanned technology, where cutting\-edge advancements meet unparalleled innovation.
Digital \| Defence \| Security \| Space
We operate across four strategic areas, combining artificial intelligence, systems engineering, data science, and aerospace technology to tackle global challenges — from protecting people and critical infrastructure to exploring space.
We offer a unique surveillance\-as\-a\-service solution that delivers real\-time intelligence, enhancing maritime safety and saving lives. Our products and services support strategic and operational decisions in the most demanding environments — whether at sea, on land, in space, or in cyberspace.
Become part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary, and mission\-driven team that is transforming maritime surveillance and redefining global safety standards.
At TEKEVER, our mission is to provide limitless support through mission\-oriented game\-changers, delivering the right information at the right time to empower critical decision\-making.
If you're passionate about technology and eager to shape the future — TEKEVER is the place for you.
The Role
The Supply Chain Manager – Direct Purchasing is responsible for executing procurement strategy, managing supplier performance, and ensuring material and service availability across Tekever’s UK Research \& Development and manufacturing operations.
You will support the scaling of serial production of the AR3 and AR5 platforms by delivering cost\-effective and reliable sourcing with a focus on sovereign capability. Also adapting procurement strategies to enabling fast paced Research and Development. This role balances hands\-on purchasing execution with structured supplier and category management, ensuring cost, quality, and lead\-time targets are met.
You will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, quality, logistics, trade compliance and commercial teams, taking ownership of day\-to\-day procurement performance while contributing to broader supply chain improvements. You will inherit an evolving supplier base and play a key role in strengthening, rationalising, and professionalizing procurement capability to support production growth.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement and Purchasing
- Execute procurement activities across direct materials (e.g. components, assemblies, raw materials).
- Manage the end\-to\-end purchasing cycle: requisition validation, RFQs, supplier selection, negotiation support, PO placement, and follow\-up.
- Deliver cost savings in line with departmental targets through negotiation, supplier consolidation, and demand management.
- Support the development and implementation of category strategies.
- Maintain accurate purchasing data, pricing records, and contract documentation.
- Manage day\-to\-day relationships with suppliers, ensuring continuity of supply and issue resolution.
- Monitor supplier performance against KPIs including OTIF, quality (PPM, NCR), cost, and responsiveness.
- Lead supplier onboarding, qualification, and audit activities in line with quality standards (e.g. ISO9001, AS9100, ISO14001, ISO27001\).
- Work with Quality and Engineering to resolve supplier performance issues and drive corrective actions.
- Contribute to supplier development initiatives, including dual sourcing and risk mitigation for critical components.
- Track spend against budget and identify opportunities for cost optimisation.
- Support spend analysis reporting to identify trends, risks, and savings opportunities.
- Ensure compliance with procurement policies, financial controls, and approval processes.
- Assist in managing working capital by optimising payment terms, order quantities, and stock coverage.
- Support continuous improvement of procurement processes, tools, and workflows.
- Maintain high\-quality ERP/MRP master data (pricing, lead times, supplier data).
- Work with planning, IT, and finance teams to improve data accuracy and system effectiveness.
- Contribute to the implementation or enhancement of ERP/MRP systems.
- Identify and escalate supply risks including single\-source exposure, long lead times, and supplier constraints.
- Support compliance with export controls, regulatory requirements, and internal policies.
- Ensure procurement activities align with quality, security, and ethical sourcing requirements.
- Contribute to supplier risk assessments including financial, and operational.
Essential
- Minimum of 3 years proven experience in a supply chain, procurement, or purchasing role within a regulated or engineered\-product environment (e.g. aerospace, defence, automotive, electronics, or similar).
- Strong operational procurement capability, including PO management, supplier coordination, and expediting.
- Experience working with ERP/MRP systems (e.g. SAP, IFS, Enterprise 365, Odoo).
- Ability to manage supplier relationships and resolve day\-to\-day supply and quality issues.
- Good commercial awareness, including basic negotiation and cost control principles and experience with terms and conditions flow down.
- Strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Exposure to supplier qualification processes and quality standards (e.g. AS9100 and ISO9001\).
- Experience supporting production or manufacturing environments.
- Understanding of cost analysis, should\-costing, or value engineering principles.
- Working knowledge of export controls or regulated industry requirements.
- CIPS qualification (or working towards).
- An excellent work environment and an opportunity to make a difference.
- Salary commensurate with level of experience.
- Company pension contribution matched up to 10%.
- 25 days annual holiday \+ 8 Bank holidays.
- Medical Insurance.
- Dental Insurance.
- Salary sacrifice initiatives (EV Scheme, Cycle 2 Work, Tech Scheme)
- Discretionary annual company bonus.
Visit our LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/tekever/
Tekever is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all qualified
candidates and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All offers are
conditional on successful pre\-employment screening, including UK security clearance where
required.
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