Sourcing Lead

Job Purpose

We are looking for a Sourcing Lead to join our team in Newcastle.

The purpose of the Sourcing Lead role is to drive effective sourcing and procurement activity for indirect spend at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, with a key focus on supporting project OPEX and CAPEX requirements as part of the wider spend portfolio. The role ensures that sourcing strategies, supplier relationships and commercial agreements support business priorities, deliver value, and align with regional and global procurement objectives. Working closely with stakeholders, Buyers, Procurement Leads and Regional & Global Category Leads, the role will help improve cost, compliance, quality, delivery and supplier performance, while promoting a continuous improvement mindset across the source-to-pay process.

Job Description

• Lead sourcing activity for indirect spend at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, ensuring business needs are met through competitive, compliant and value-driven procurement solutions.
• Support OPEX and CAPEX project requirements by working with stakeholders to understand demand, sourcing priorities, timelines, commercial risks and procurement requirements.
• Attend relevant project meetings and act as a sourcing and procurement partner to project teams and business stakeholders, supporting early procurement involvement and sourcing discipline.
• Execute sourcing strategies in collaboration with Regional and Global Category Managers.
• Work closely with Buyers to support effective execution of sourcing outcomes, supplier onboarding, purchase order readiness, source-to-pay process alignment, and provide operational Buyer cover, including raising purchase orders when required.
• Improve sourcing awareness and ensure consistent application of procurement processes.
• Manage supplier engagement, quotation and tender activity, commercial evaluation and negotiation to achieve best overall value.
• Support contract and commercial agreement development, including coordination with Legal, stakeholders and category teams where required.
• Use procurement data, spend analysis and market insight to understand supply market trends, identify new or alternative suppliers, assess risks and opportunities, and support sourcing decisions.
• Identify and deliver opportunities for cost savings, cost avoidance, improved efficiency, increased spend control and waste reduction across the indirect portfolio.
• Promote compliance with procurement policies, approved supplier processes, delegation of authority and relevant governance requirements.
• Champion supplier performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, service and compliance to ensure business and project requirements are met consistently.

You are meant for this job if:

• Experience in sourcing and procurement – ideally in Indirects.
• MCIPS, CIPS Level 4 or above, or equivalent relevant procurement, supply chain, business or engineering qualification, preferred.
• Self-directed, able to prioritize/manage a high level of issues and tasks, and work in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to analyze data and market trends to make informed decisions about suppliers and products/services.
• Very strong interpersonal skills. The ability to quickly build credibility with stakeholders and influence change.
• Supplier contracting experience. Knowledge of key sections, common red line areas and reasonable fallback positions.
• Basic understanding of the financial cost structure associated with a supply chain.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Have a lean mindset with the ability to review and transform processes using lean problem-solving methodology to eliminate waste and improve the way we work.

What we can offer

• My Annual Leave - 35 days holidays.
• My Wealth and Protection – Critical Illness Cover, Income Protection, Life Assurance, Will Writing, Workplace Isa, Group Personal Pension Plan - employer contributions up to 10%.
• My Health and Wellbeing - Private Medical Insurance, Employee Assistance Programme, Dental Insurance, Health Assessments & Personal Accident Insurance.
• My Lifestyle - Electric Vehicle Scheme, Cyle2Work, Employee Tech Scheme, Give as You Earn, GymFlex, Holiday Trading, Personal Travel Insurance, Perks at Work.
• My Workplace - Subsidised Cafe, Branded workwear, Hybrid Working, Flexible Working Arrangements, Enhanced Maternity and Parental leave, Talent/Management and Leadership programmes, Various inhouse training opportunities for your personal development.  
• My Giving - Volunteering opportunities