Indirect Procurement Category Manager

Overview

In this role you will lead strategic procurement for complex indirect spend, focusing on manpower, logistics, and professional services. You will shape category strategies, manage supplier relationships, and drive cost optimization while ensuring quality and continuity in a fast-paced aerospace environment. You’ll work closely with operations, engineering, manufacturing, and finance to deliver value through governance, risk management, andcontinuous improvement. This is a hands-on leadership role that combines negotiation, strategy, and cross-functional collaboration to support Leonardo UK’s mission.

Pay / Benefits

• company-funded benefits package
• pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution
• up to 12 flexi-days per year
• mental health support
• bonus scheme
• free access to Coursera and LinkedIn Learning

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement procurement strategies for complex indirect spend (manpower, freight, professional services)
• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities: RFQs/RFPs, supplier evaluation, contract negotiation, commercial management
• Build relationships with stakeholders across operations, engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and finance
• Manage strategic supplier relationships for service excellence, cost competitiveness, and governance
• Identify industrial cost-savings and value-creation opportunities while maintaining continuity and quality
• Lead supplier performance reviews using KPIs and SLAs
• Support procurement governance, compliance, and risk management
• Potentially manage and develop procurement team members through coaching and performance management
• Drive procurement best practices and continuous improvement across the function
• Ensure procurement aligns with policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards

Key requirements

• Experience as Procurement Category Manager or Senior Buyer in complex operational environments
• Significant experience managing manpower/contingent labour, freight/logistics, and professional services categories
• Demonstrated supplier negotiation and contract management with high-value or strategic suppliers
• Previous people management or team leadership experience
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills with ability to influence across levels
• Excellent commercial acumen and analytical capability
• Experience in aerospace, engineering, manufacturing, or regulated industries desirable
• Strong understanding of procurement processes, category management methodologies, and supplier performance management
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Experience with ERP/procurement systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Coupa

• stakeholder management
• communication
• influence
• SAP
• Oracle
• Coupa

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