BAE Systems

Category Lead

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Job Title\: Category Lead

Location\: Glascoed or Radway Green - 1-2 days on site and some travel between both

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements - please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Referral Bonus\: £1000

Grade\: 5

You’re expected to have completed 12 months in role prior to applying for an advertised vacancy and you should also discuss the internal opportunity with your line manager to ensure sustained business continuity and to further support your career development.

We know there may be exceptional individual circumstances that impact this, in the first instance please discuss this with your line manager.

If you don’t feel you can talk to your line manager, you can contact your HRBP.

PLEASE NOTE\: Should you be invited for interview; you acknowledge that the Recruitment team will contact you and your line manager regarding your application for this opportunity.

Job Description\:

The Category Lead is responsible for the strategic management of multiple contracts, ensuring the effective procurement of parts and materials. This role builds and nurtures collaborative supplier relationships, engaging stakeholders at all levels to deliver improved commercial performance and value within agreed frameworks, while leading competitive bid processes.

You will develop and deliver category strategies that drive sustainable improvements, lead negotiations for long-term supplier agreements, and identify opportunities to enhance cost efficiency across commodities and products, contributing to overall business success.

Core duties\:

  • You will develop and deliver category strategies, building sustainable improvements and collaborative supplier relationships
  • You will conduct market analysis to identify, evaluate and on-board new suppliers to support both new and existing products
  • You will lead negotiations for long-term supplier contracts with both new and incumbent suppliers across designated products and materials
  • This role will require you to partner with Procurement Delivery teams to implement and manage category and supplier strategies effectively
  • You will drive year-on-year cost improvements across commodities while maintaining quality and performance standards

Essential Skills\:

  • Demonstrable knowledge and experience of strategic Category Management in a Supply Chain environment in defence or similar industry e.g. automotive, aerospace
  • Broad and deep professional knowledge/understanding of Procurement principles, techniques and practices including supplier management, risk management and drafting terms and conditions
  • Stakeholder management experience, with the ability to guide teams, influence stakeholders, and drive continuous improvement
  • Extensive negotiation experience that delivers tangible positive outcomes for the business

The BAE Systems Land Procurement Team\:

BAE Systems Munitions supplies products globally. Joining a growing strategic procurement team, you'll help deliver robust category strategies aligned to future needs. Reporting to the Manufactured Components Category Manager, this diverse portfolio spans packaging, chemicals, consumables, electronics, textiles, injection moulding, thermoforming, links and factored products.

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.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people, who are BAE Systems employees and have been in their current role for 12 months or longer.

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\: 3rd July 2026