Procurement Category Manager

About Smiths Interconnect:

Smiths Interconnect, is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance interconnect solutions. Our products are used in mission-critical applications across industries such as aerospace, defense, telecommunications, and industrial markets. At Smiths Interconnect, we are committed to innovation, quality, and providing cutting-edge solutions that connect the world’s most demanding systems.

Smiths Interconnect is part of Smiths Group. For over 170 years, Smiths has been pioneering progress by engineering for a better future. We serve millions of people every year, to help create a safer, more efficient and productive, and better-connected world across four global markets: energy, security & defense, space & aerospace and general industrial. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Smiths employs c.16,000 colleagues in over 50 countries. 

Job Purpose:

• Ability to work independently, as well as supporting the Global Procurement Manager in the delivery and execution of the sourcing and procurement strategy.
• Identify, source, and develop new and existing Smiths Interconnect suppliers driving benefit to the business.
• Work cross functionally across the Smiths global manufacturing operations and 3rd party supplier base to optimize material management and capacity.
• Identify and drive efficiencies through cost saving exercises.
• Suggest and implement process improvements sharing best practice across the business for continuous improvement.
• Work with the global procurement teams to support all aspects of category management, supplier business reviews, category plans, market trends assessment, pricing, and product availability.
   

Responsibilities:

• Effective management of RFQ process and Product Price Variance activities to deliver best commercial purchasing decisions.  
• Assist in developing strategies for negotiating supplier contracts and development of new sourcing projects.
• Work cross functionally (new product development teams, operations, category engineers) and with external suppliers to deliver a balanced / agile supplier portfolio.
• Support and manage new supplier on boarding process, assist with maintaining Global Approved Vendor List (AVL), and ensure aligned with Smiths ESG requirements.
• Build, develop and maintain key internal relationships across all regions and functional areas.
• Build strong working relationships with domestic and global suppliers through regular communication and feedback.
• Contribute towards the delivery of KPIs in conjunction with BU strategy:
• • OTIF / OTD
  • Sales revenue
  • DHOP
  • PPV working capital plan
  • Lead time reduction
• Support the resolution of supply constraint and critical shortages, and ensure effective communicating with key internal stake holders. 
• Support supplier performance monitoring, evaluation, and improvement plans.
• Critical path maintenance and management for specific projects.

General Activities:

• Participate in supplier onsite evaluation of capabilities and capacities.
• Work with global supply chain teams to ensure timely delivery of stock.
• Support the RFQ process and work with Global Procurement Manager to deliver commercial benefit to the BU.
• Liaise with suppliers to ensure maximizing Smiths business capacity and reducing lead time metric.
• Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the identification and implementation of alternative sources of supply as required to resolve material risk situations.
• Help administer supplier scorecards and support Quarterly Business Review (QBR) meetings.
• Support the wider supply chain team and actively engage in the achievement of team objectives including cost savings, process improvements, supplier performance, supply chain improvements etc.
• Prepare progress and financial procurement reports where required.
• Build strong working relationships with UK, APAC, Americas, and European suppliers, liaising on a day-to-day basis, supported by reporting and presentations.

Technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong personal drive and motivation; focused on delivering results through continuous improvement.
• Relevant experience of working to tight and challenging deadlines.
• Global in outlook and experience in or knowledge of working with APAC, UK, European and Americas countries.
• Experience with Internation trade and tariffs
• Five years sourcing, purchasing or buyer experience required, with experience in cost management and negotiation.
• Degree educated within Supply Chain, Business, Engineering or Economics, desirable.
• Proven ability to influence key stake holders.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal), with ability to support tasks to completion.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Microsoft Teams.

Travel %:  15-20%

Planning and Decision Making:

• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain business relationships with key stakeholders.
• Team player with excellent and effective communication, analytical, problem solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to drive change and improvements.
• Ability to organize, plan and prioritize tasks effectively to achieve targets.

Impact and Scope:

• This role will have the ability to impact the semi business unit goals and objectives; new project development; cost control; trade compliance and ethics.
• The ideal candidate will not be afraid to challenge to drive benefit to the business

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)