Lead Procurement Specialist

At Dyson we believe everything could be better. Fuelled by a frustration with things that don’t work properly and a relentless obsession with making them work better, we’ve spent the last 25 years pioneering inventions and continually improving.

We’re growing fast. And our ambition is huge. But it’s not simply about more people and more profit. Dyson is all about better ideas and new technologies. It’s about inventing the future.

Our philosophy remains the same as it was 25 years ago when James Dyson invented the first cyclonic vacuum cleaner. We remain family-owned. We don’t bow to outside shareholders or report to the stock exchange. Instead we plot our own path, unshackled from conventional thinking. 

The Lead Procurement Specialist will drive procurement activities for primary and secondary packaging within the Formulations team.

Acting as a subject matter expert, this role supports the development and execution of sourcing strategies, supplier onboarding, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring operational excellence from sourcing council preparation through to project delivery.

The successful candidate will actively lead the operational procurement engagement with primary and secondary packaging suppliers for Dyson formulations, handle CAPEX requests and issue POs, drive cost reduction activities and other continuous supplier improvement activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, support, and execute sourcing strategies for primary and secondary packaging.
• Support supplier onboarding, selection, and RFP activities, ensuring the correct pricing, regulatory requirements, and alignment with business needs.
• Own operational delivery, including OTIF (On Time in Full) performance, SOW management (tooling, line trials, and production), and sampling replenishment.
• Manage Capex requests, tooling POs, asset requests, and associated PO processes.
• Own supplier relationship management. Conduct weekly supplier catch-ups and operational supplier management.
• Oversee project stakeholder communications and ensure timely updates to Project Managers on all packaging timelines from RFP to delivery.
• Implement cost-down initiatives
• Manage tenders for packaging changes
• Monitor and improve supplier relationship management (SRM) processes.
• Track supplier onboarding progress in Ariba, resolving issues alongside internal teams.

Required Skills & Leadership

• Demonstrated procurement expertise, ideally in packaging for FMCG, formulation, or technology-led manufacturing environments.
• Strong knowledge of sourcing, supplier management, SOW, tooling, and Capex processes.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive results to meet OTIF and cost targets.
• Commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and value engineering experience.
• Proficiency with procurement and supplier management platforms (e.g., Ariba).
• Effective communicator and relationship builder, capable of influencing suppliers and engaging stakeholders at all levels.
• A proactive leader committed to continuous improvement, operational excellence, and collaborative team culture.

Financial

-          Performance-related bonus scheme

-          Competitive pension scheme

-          Life assurance

-          Discounts on Dyson machines and retail discounts

-          Free bus travel to and from campus (from Bristol, Bath, Chippenham, and Swindon)

Lifestyle

-          27 days’ holiday (plus bank holidays)

-          Free on-site lunches, fruit, and hot drinks

-          Free on-site sports centre, gym, hair salon, and lifestyle assistance (concierge)

-          Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme

-          Ability to purchase additional holiday

Health

-          Private medical insurance and dental insurance

-          Employee assistance programme, digital GP, on-site physio and GP, prescription service, fertility treatment support

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Dyson is an equal opportunity employer. We know that great minds don’t think alike, and it takes all kinds of minds to make our technology so unique. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and employment decisions are made without regard to race, colour, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other any other dimension of diversity.