Category Leader

Job Title: Category Leader

Location: Barrow-In-Furness/Preston. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: Circa £52,000 dependent on experience

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

This role involves leading sourcing and contracting activities for a long-term (10+ year) investment programme in the North West, working closely with internal stakeholders and external partners to develop effective procurement solutions. You will support the delivery of sourcing strategies through data-driven insights, while identifying and mitigating risks across procurement and contract approaches. Responsibilities include developing and managing procurement plans aligned to stakeholder requirements, providing commercial and supply chain support to delivery programmes, and owning the end-to-end procurement process, from tender development and evaluation through to contract award.

Core duties:

• Provide commercial and supply chain support to the delivery programmes
• Leading the sourcing and contracting procurement process, inclusive of tender pack development, evaluation and award
• Ensuring the quality of sourcing and contracting documentation is of the highest standard
• Leading negotiations with suppliers including commercial aspects to ensure the best outcome for the business
• Support the development of supply chain strategies and lead implementation of plans
• Co-ordination throughout the end to end procurement process such that customer and supplier issues are communicated and resolved effectively
• Ensure compliance will all internal and external regulatory process requirements
• Input into the bidding activity such that the budget is met, consistent with business objectives
• Report cost savings and cost avoidances
• Ensuring that life cycle costing principles are fully considered pre-ITT including input to Make v Buy process and contractor down-selection

Essential Skills:

• Experience working in supply chain within the FM, Estates Management or infrastructure industries
• Experience leading procurements based on specification, for design and manufacture/build
• An understanding of business and procurement approaches, techniques, processes, policy and strategy
• Experience of contract and supplier performance management

The Estates Team:

Join a dynamic and rapidly growing team at the forefront of a once-in-a-generation infrastructure investment. You’ll be part of a programme delivering transformative change within an operational and maintenance environment, ensuring continuity of services while driving major enhancements. Our team thrives on collaboration, innovation and high-impact delivery, providing opportunities to shape processes, lead new actions, and contribute to projects that will define the future of our infrastructure. This is a unique chance to be involved in a high-profile programme where your expertise and ideas will make a tangible difference.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

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: 20th May 2026

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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