Supply Chain Senior Specialist

Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman · Aerospace · Cheltenham, United Kingdom +1 · Plan

Northrop Grumman UK is seeking a Supply Chain Lead to manage and shape the company's supply chain strategy, focusing on supplier relationships, negotiation, and operational efficiency for pioneering defense programs. The role requires experience in supply chain functions, subcontract management, and strong analytical skills, with UK citizenship and the ability to obtain security clearance being mandatory.

What you'd actually do

  1. Provide senior supply chain support to programmes, including identifying suitable suppliers and shaping negotiation and tendering strategies.
  2. Lead competitive sourcing activity to ensure on‑time delivery, best value, and alignment with programme requirements.
  3. Negotiate and implement agreements, ensuring customer flowdowns and commercial considerations are fully captured.
  4. Proactively manage supplier relationships, including price, availability, performance, and obsolescence risks.
  5. Oversee supplier performance governance, ensuring alignment with supplier management processes and reporting on key metrics such as OTIF, quality, and risk.

Skills

Required

  • Experience within a supply chain function, with strong understanding of how supply chain operations drive organisational efficiency.
  • Demonstrable success negotiating and managing subcontracts, with sound knowledge of contract and subcontract law.
  • Ability to manage the supply chain elements of complex programmes.
  • Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with excellent attention to detail.
  • Advanced Excel capability and confident use of MS Office and presentation tools.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively at all levels.
  • Qualified in a relevant subject (preferably degree level).

Nice to have

  • CIPS qualification.
  • Experience with US export/import trade controls.
  • Knowledge of European languages.

What the JD emphasized

  • UK CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
  • gain and maintain the appropriate UK Government security clearance