Senior Subcontract Buyer

A leading defence organisation are seeking an experienced Senior Subcontract Buyer to join a high-performing procurement team in Edinburgh. Role: Senior Subcontract Buyer Duration: 6-month contract Pay: Up to £44 p/hr (Inside IR35) Location: Edinburgh (Hybrid) As a Senior Subcontract Buyer, you'll take responsibility for the end-to-end management of supplier and subcontractor relationships, ensuring continuity of supply across critical programmes. You'll play a critical role in ensuring key production materials, components, and services are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with demanding technical and contractual requirements. Key Responsibilities: Managing supplier contracts and commercial agreements, including NDA's, export licences, statements of work, and pricing agreements Leading RFQ activities, supplier sourcing exercises, and commercial evaluations Negotiating pricing, contractual terms, and delivery commitments to maximise value and minimise risk Managing purchase orders through SAP and ensuring audit-ready documentation is maintained Monitoring supplier performance, delivery schedules, and KPI compliance Escalating supply risks and driving resolution plans with suppliers and internal stakeholders Supporting product cost reviews through pricing analysis and benchmarking activities Collaborating with Engineering, Quality, Materials, Manufacturing, and Programme teams Managing revenue forecasting, budgets, estimates to complete, and cost reduction initiatives Supporting internal and external audits with commercially compliant procurement documentation This is an ideal role for a procurement professional who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing or engineering environment and enjoys taking ownership of supplier performance, commercial negotiations, contract management, and material delivery across complex programmes. Key Requirements: Manufacturing, Electronics, Defence, Aerospace, Engineering, or Complex Supply Chain experience Experience working as a Senior Buyer, Subcontract Buyer or Procurement Specialist Strong supplier management and contract administration experience Commercial negotiation expertise Solid understanding of contract terms and conditions Experience managing purchase orders and supplier performance within SAP or similar ERP systems Strong analytical and reporting capabilities Knowledge of Export Control or Trade Compliance regulations Ability to manage competing priorities across multiple programmes Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills This a great opportunity to gain exposure to strategic sourcing activities, high value subcontract management and deal with complex supplier negotiations. If you're an experienced procurement professional local to Edinburgh, apply now!