Senior Commercial / Procurement Manager – Defence

Job Description

Important: Before applying, due to the sensitive nature of these projects, you must be a sole UK National who is able to achieve and maintain UK MoD Security Clearance (SC). See Security Clearance Section.

Already holding SC Clearance is desirable; however we advise that if you feel you would be a great candidate for this role, please apply.

Role Overview and Responsibilities

We are currently seeking Senior Commercial and Procurement Managers interested in working within the UK Defence Sector to be part of our growing Defence Team. As part of our team, you will have the opportunity to be involved in and contribute to some of the most exciting and interesting challenges that face the UK Defence Sector today, in both the Public and Private sector.

As a Senior Commercial / Procurement Manager at Turner & Townsend, you will work directly with our Defence Clients supporting them in delivering outcomes across the end‑to‑end commercial lifecycle.

Owing to the nature of our business and our diverse portfolio of clients, no two roles are the same and we encourage candidates with different backgrounds, skills and experiences to consider this role. While each role is different, you can expect to perform some or all of the following functions and responsibilities:

• Procurement and Commercial Strategy
• End‑to‑End Contract Management
• Risk and Performance Management
• Negotiation and Continuous Improvement
• Governance and Compliance, both with internal policy and legal frameworks
• Business Analysis and Problem Solving

About you

As a candidate for this role, you will not only have extensive and varied commercial experience built from a career in the relevant sector, but you will also want to be part of a high‑functioning team focused on delivering world‑class outcomes to our ever‑growing network of Defence clients.

We understand that people can contribute to our team and mission in a variety of ways, even if they do not possess all the experiences and skills listed below. While possessing most of the following could be advantageous, our focus is on meeting people that are equally passionate about making the difference and want to work towards delivering better outcomes for our clients.

If you are excited about working with us and have relevant skills or experiences that you think can add value to our teams and clients, we would encourage you to apply.

Role Objectives

• Service Excellence: creating and deploying market‑leading capability, focused on optimising client satisfaction through knowledge, data and insight, and supported by best‑in‑class methodologies and world‑class people.
• Risk and Performance Management: identify, assess, and mitigate project risks to ensure client and business success, and implement robust governance activities.
• Business Transformation and Stakeholder Engagement: engage with stakeholders to support business transformation, change management, and efficiency initiatives.
• Leadership: formal and informal leadership through coaching, line management, mentoring and knowledge sharing activities.

Required Experience and Skills

• Applied knowledge of procurement principles and practices with experience of procurement, contract management and/or contract placement (sourcing).
• Ability to identify the most suitable commercial approach to a given circumstance, including assessing the potential trade‑offs and the level of risk mitigation required to achieve the best outcome.
• Understanding and applying programme, portfolio and project management tools.
• Taking ownership of decisions at tender evaluation stage and applying commercial expertise and judgement accordingly.
• Conducting development and commercial assurance of business cases, commercial strategies, and contracting approaches, to ensure that sound commercial practices are being applied.
• Development and implementation of effective contract and supplier management strategies, to extract maximum value from contracts, motivate performance and drive innovation.
• Proactively monitor supplier performance, applying strategies and tools to secure the maximum value from contracts, motivate performance and drive innovation and continuous improvement.
• Experience leading teams and providing strategic direction.
• The role has responsibility for dealing regularly with clients / customers on complex, controversial and contentious issues. The role will typically be able to chair internal and external meetings involving senior stakeholders.
• Supplier Relationship Management and Category Management.

Qualifications

Turner & Townsend recognises the importance of helping its employees harmonise their work and home life by offering hybrid working, that enable them to balance their working life with other priorities. At the same time T&T recognises that employee office and site attendance must always remain in line with the demands of the business and clients. Currently, we anticipate you being on client sites or Turner & Townsend offices 60% of your time, but this may flex depending on client and business requirements. The office is not the only place work gets done, but it is increasingly important for teams to be stronger together by learning, collaborating, and creating amazing work together.

Security Clearance

Important: Before applying, due to the sensitive nature of these projects, you must be a sole UK National who is able to achieve and maintain UK MoD Security Clearance (SC). Many of the clients and projects we support are subject to MoD security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (

• Professional qualification(s) in Business, Procurement/Supply Chain Management, Law, Project Management or a similar relevant discipline, or an equivalent level of relevant experience.
• Trained in, or holds a sufficient level of experience of, Defence and Security Public Contracting Regulations (DSPCR), the Public Contract Regulations (PCR) and/or the Procurement Act 2023.

Additional Information

• Turner & Townsend recognise the importance of helping its employees harmonise their work and home life by offering hybrid working, enabling them to balance their working life with other priorities. At the same time T&T recognises that employee office and site attendance must at all times remain in line with the demands of the business and clients. Currently, we anticipate you being on client sites or Turner & Townsend offices 60% of your time, but this may flex to meet client and business requirements. The office is not the only place work gets done, but it is increasingly important for teams to be stronger together by learning, collaborating, and creating amazing work together.
• Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.
• We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work‑life balance.
• Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.
• Please find out more about us at /
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Social Media

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It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time.

Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted through our website or to Turner & Townsend personal e‑mail accounts, are considered property of Turner & Townsend and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorised Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Turner & Townsend, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by the Recruitment Team, to submit candidates for review.

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