Supplier Development & Cost Manager

Job Title: Supplier Development & Cost Manager

Location: Glasgow, Scotstoun. Hybrid – 3 times a week on site . We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: £62,000 – £72,000 (DOE)

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 leads the end‑to‑end Supplier Development and Cost Management strategy for the Global Combat Ships (GCS) Programme, driving supplier capability, mitigating risk, and improving performance across all international partners. By directing a high‑performing team, the role ensures critical suppliers can meet programme demand through targeted interventions, robust assessments, and continuous improvement. It influences senior stakeholders, aligns cross‑nation activity, and embeds best practice to strengthen operational excellence. Alongside this, the role shapes strategic cost‑reduction initiatives, delivering value, efficiency, and resilience for the wider business. Its impact is central to programme success, supply chain stability, and long‑term enterprise competitiveness.

Core duties:

• Lead the GCS International Supplier Development activities for all programmes to increase alignment and efficiencies for the programmes
• Lead interventions on high-risk GCS Suppliers to improve capacity and ability to meet programme demands for all GCS partners. Report back findings and recommendations for next steps
• Accountable for leading Strategic Cost Management plans, implementing and executing cost reduction strategies to reduce risk, increase cash in the business and deliver cost savings in support of business aims.
• Lead cross-functional/business relationships that encourage collaboration and sharing to foster creative and innovation solutions

Essential Skills:

• Deep Supplier and/or Manufacturing experience is critical (preferably in a leadership position) with knowledge of wide variety of manufacturing
• Degree qualified and/or Lean & Six Sigma experience (Minimum Green Belt, bonus if black belt)
• Excellent understanding of supplier performance management and development tool sets such as Lean/6 Sigma, Capability & Capacity Assessments, New Product Introduction, APQP, etc.
• Experience in delivering strategies that drive cost management improvements
• Experience in facilitating of cross functional teams

The Team:

This is a unique leadership role at the heart of the Global Combat Ship (GCS) enterprise, where you’ll represent two pivotal disciplines—Supplier Development and Strategic Cost Management—across an international supply chain spanning the UK, Canada, and Australia.

This is a fast‑paced, dynamic environment where no two weeks look the same: one day you’ll be driving supplier capability uplift, the next you’ll be delivering strategic cost improvements that directly strengthen the Naval Ships Supply Chain.

You’ll collaborate with senior stakeholders across three nations, working with strategic suppliers on a multi‑billion‑pound programme that shapes the future of naval capability. Few roles offer this level of scale, visibility, and influence—operating at the intersection of global engineering excellence, international cooperation, and high‑stakes supplier performance.

What makes this opportunity stand out is the freedom to innovate, the ability to make a measurable, enterprise‑wide impact, and the chance to elevate supplier development and cost management to new heights. If you thrive on challenge, pace, and true end‑to‑end ownership, this role offers unmatched influence, personal growth, and the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy within a world‑class organisation.

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: 21st April 2026. Interviews for this position will take place W/C 4th May.

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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