Supply Chain Assurance Specialist

Our world-leading Time & Frequency department is seeking a Supply Chain Assurance Specialist with proven expertise in Public Procurement and Supplier Assurance.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join the global authority in precision timing at a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure.

Backed by a government investment of £180 million in the National Timing Centre (NTC) programme, we are developing a world-first resilient time distribution capability that will provide industry with a robust complement to satellite systems 

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and deliver supply chain assurance activity across relevant suppliers, procurements, and contracts.
• Analyse supplier information and apply specialist knowledge to assess supplier capability, capacity, resilience, and risk as part of procurement and contract assurance activity.
• Support supplier selection processes by reviewing, evaluating, and assessing information provided against public sector selection criteria.
• Provide clear advice and guidance to internal stakeholders on supplier assurance, risk, compliance, and due diligence requirements.
• Ensure assurance activity is undertaken in line with the Procurement Act 2023 and wider public sector procurement principles.
• Review and assess supplier information relating to financial standing, technical capability, modern slavery, business continuity, cyber security, and other relevant assurance areas.
• Identify supply chain risks, coordinate proportionate assurance responses, and recommend practical mitigations and controls.
• Maintain accurate assurance records, audit trails, and management reporting information.
• Work closely with procurement, supply chain, operational, legal, and security teams to support robust supplier governance.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of supplier assurance processes, templates, controls, and reporting.
• Support consistent and proportionate application of assurance standards across the supplier lifecycle.

This role will require you to work in a hybrid settling with expected 2/3 days at our Teddington site.

To be successful in this role, you will have the following skills, experience, and qualifications:

Essential:

• Experience working in a public sector, regulated, or high-assurance environment
• Experience in procurement and/or supply chain
• Experience of undertaking supplier due diligence, assurance, risk assessment, or supply chain review activity
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Able to work independently and manage priorities effectively
• Self-motivated with a proactive approach to problem-solving
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Able to build effective working relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers

Essential Technical Skills:

• Good understanding of the Procurement Act 2023
• Good understanding of public sector selection criteria and how these are applied in supplier selection and assurance activity

Desirable:

• Knowledge of supplier resilience, business continuity, cyber assurance, or information security assurance
• Experience supporting contract management or supplier performance governance

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance.

However, to work in this role in the Time and Frequency department, you will need to have an SC clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here - The measure of us - Overview 

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.  

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome. More about this on our Diversity & Inclusion page. 

We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of rewards, benefits and recognition. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.