Procurement Leader (Professional Services)

Job Title: Procurement Leader (Professional Services)

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

Salary: Circa £48,000 dependent on experience

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 plays a key part in supporting the delivery of category strategies and driving value through effective sourcing, supplier management, and stakeholder engagement. Working closely with the Procurement Manager, the position is responsible for analysing spend, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and delivering robust procurement activities in line with organisational policies and governance. The role also focuses on building strong supplier relationships, managing risk, and embedding sustainability and responsible sourcing practices, while ensuring high standards of health, safety, and compliance. Collaboration with internal stakeholders is essential to deliver efficient, fit-for-purpose solutions that maximise value and minimise risk.

Core duties:

• Work with the Procurement Manager to help lead the development and delivery of the Professional Services category
• Lead end to end procurement activity including tendering, negotiations, and contracting
• Develop and manage key strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders and leverage partnerships to identify collaborative opportunities for continuous improvement
• Manage members of the team on a day to day basis
• Comply with all relevant policies, governance, and regulatory requirements
• Highlight supply chain risks and work with applicable stakeholders to mitigate the risks identified as far as reasonably practicable

Essential Skills:

• Experience working within procurement disciplines
• Experience working in the end-to-end procurement process
• Good project management skills, commercial acumen, financial awareness and risk and opportunity management
• Good understanding of external environment and relevant market intelligence
• Ability to lead negotiations working to agreed processes and within delegation of authority levels

The Professional Services Category Team:

The Professional Services category team provides category management, sourcing and supplier relationship management expertise in Consultancy, Offload, Transport & Logistics and Corporate Services sub-categories and are looking to add additional expertise in Professional Services to the team. The team’s enterprise-wide scope provides a unique vantage point on the entire business and the opportunity to work with senior stakeholders across the business to deliver changes with significant impact. The team culture is friendly and supportive, we prioritise personal development and continuous improvement as we strive to optimise the services we deliver and provide the maximum value to BAE Systems.

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: 29th May 2026

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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