Senior Category Manager

Overview

As a Category Manager in our Aircraft Procurement team, you will shape the sourcing strategy for the Valo programme. You will identify strategic suppliers, negotiate long-term agreements, and build performance-driven partnerships to meet quality, cost, and delivery targets. You’ll work at the intersection of engineering, commercial strategy, and global supply chains to support rapid scaling and safety-compliant aircraft development. This role offers the chance to influence procurement excellence within a fast-growing, mission-driven aerospace company.

Pay / Benefits

• 26 days holiday
• bonus based on company and individual performance
• Company Share Scheme
• Company Pension Scheme – 5% with employer match
• Health and wellbeing service (Help@Hand)
• flexible benefits allowance of 4% salary

Responsibilities

• Develop end-to-end procurement strategies for the Valo programme
• Research markets and lead supplier selection based on cost, quality, capability and reliability
• Negotiate complex, high-value commercial agreements
• Manage RFIs/RFPs and contract terms through to agreement
• Build and manage strong supplier partnerships to ensure on-time, cost-efficient, high-quality delivery
• Identify and mitigate commercial and supply-chain risks
• Leverage market intelligence to alignVertical’s priorities with supplier capabilities
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support programme objectives

Key requirements

• Proven procurement experience within the aerospace industry
• A degree or equivalent qualification in a business-related field, or a relevant CIPS qualification
• Experience working with suppliers or customers in a global aerospace environment
• Strong commercial management capability with negotiation of complex contracts
• Understanding of aerospace supply chains and challenges in delivering aircraft programmes
• Global outlook with experience across cultures and ways of working
• Strong project management, analytical, and operational mindset
• Ability to build trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Collaborative approach and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, diverse team
• Strategic thinker focused on successful delivery

• collaboration
• relationship building
• analytical thinking
• procurement strategy
• market research
• RFIs/RFPs

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