Indirect Procurement Category Manager

Job Description:

Tour Impact

We are seeking a commercially driven Procurement Category Manager to lead the strategic sourcing and category management of complex spend areas, mainly related to manpower, engineering and logistics services. You will combine strong supplier management and negotiation capabilities with proven people leadership experience and the ability to operate effectively within fast-paced aerospace engineering environment.

This role is responsible for delivering value through strategic procurement initiatives, supplier performance management, cost optimisation, risk mitigation, and stakeholder engagement across Leonardo UK.

What you will do

• Develop and implement procurement strategies/plan for complex indirect and operational spend areas, including but not limited to
  • Manpower and contingent labour
  • Freight, Import/Export and Logistics services
  • Professional Services
• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities including:
  • RFQs/RFPs
  • Supplier evaluation and selection
  • Contract negotiation
  • Commercial management
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders across operations, engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and finance functions.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships to ensure:
  • Service excellence
  • Cost competitiveness and Continuous improvement
  • Contract compliance and governance
• Identify and deliver industrial cost-savings and value-creation opportunities while maintaining operational continuity and quality standards
• Lead supplier performance reviews using KPIs and contractual service level agreements
• Support procurement governance, compliance, and risk management activities
• Potentially manage and develop procurement team members (direct reports), providing coaching, mentoring, and performance management
• Drive procurement best practices and continuous improvement initiatives across the function
• Ensure procurement activities align with company policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards

What you will bring

• Experience in a Procurement Category Manager or Senior Buyer role within complex operational environments.
• Significant experience managing challenging categories/results including but not limited to
  • Manpower and contingent labour
  • Freight, Import/Export and Logistics services
  • Professional Services
• Demonstrated experience of supplier negotiation and contract management involving high-value or strategically important suppliers
• Previous people management or team leadership experience
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels
• Excellent commercial acumen and analytical capability
• Experience working within aerospace, engineering, manufacturing, or similarly regulated industries is highly desirable
• Strong understanding of procurement processes, category management methodologies, and supplier performance management
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

It would be nice if you had

• CIPS qualified or working towards MCIPS
• Degree qualified in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related discipline
• Experience using ERP or procurement systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Coupa

Primary Location: GB - Yeovil - Lysander Rd

Additional Locations: GB - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane, GB - Edinburgh

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid