Category Lead

Job Description

Job Title: Category Lead

Location: Tyne & Wear – Washington 

Salary: £53,928

What you’ll be doing: 

• Lead the development of designated category strategy that drives sustainable improvements
• Lead the negotiation of long-term supplier contracts for designated range of products and materials
• Drive improvements in annual total costs for specific commodities and products
• Engage with suppliers at all levels to deliver enhanced competitive and commercial performance within the contract framework
• Lead supplier approval and onboarding process in collaboration with Supplier Quality Team and other functional support areas as required
• Identify, Report and Mitigate Category and Supplier Risks

Your skills and experiences: 

Essential:

• Proficient leadership skills to engage, motivate and influence individuals or teams to succeed
• To communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels, exercising appropriate levels of courtesy, diplomacy and tact, in line with the business code of conduct
• Able to negotiate internally and externally at all levels
• Able to discuss details involving Procurement information (Quality, Cost Delivery) information, with some level of technical expertise (i.e. manufacturing processes within suppliers)

Desirable:

• MCIPS qualified or recognised experience in Procurement and management of others.  The individual must demonstrate dedication, commitment and discipline to ensure successful delivery of key objectives

Benefits: 

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive. 

The BAE Systems Land Procurement team: 

BAE Systems Land provides munitions products to a diverse range of customers worldwide. You will join a growing strategic procurement team, looking to develop and deliver a robust category management strategy to meet our future business requirements. You will have the opportunity to develop and enhance your skills and knowledge, while also gaining exposure to across a diverse portfolio of exciting products and projects

Why BAE Systems? 

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and particularly from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our industry, including women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ individuals. 

We also want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 22^nd May 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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