Category Manager

Lockheed Martin Corporation; Havant; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in the UK is looking for a Category Manager to oversee procurement activities and drive value across product categories. This role involves collaborating with global teams and stakeholders to ensure compliance and identify savings opportunities. Essential qualifications include a relevant degree in Supply Chain and substantial experience in procurement, with preferred experience in negotiating agreements. The position offers a salary range of £42,000- £46,000 and numerous benefits tailored to support employee wellbeing.

Benefits

Private Medical Insurance

Competitive Pension

Flexible working options

Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in leading procurement activities, including negotiating terms and conditions.
• Significant experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
• Computer literacy with ability to analyse complex reports.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the development and execution of category plans for assigned groups of products and services.
• Collaborate with global category teams to input requirements into procurement activities.
• Perform source to contract activities and ongoing contract management.

Education

Tertiary qualifications in a relevant Supply Chain discipline from a recognised institution

Relevant certifications or Professional membership Qualifications

Tools

MS Office

SAP

Job description

Enterprise Business Services (EBS) consists of LMUK IT Services, Payroll, ESH, HR and Finance functions. With employees located throughout the UK, EBS provides UK wide support to the LMUK business areas. The Category Manager is responsible for driving value, efficiency, and strategic alignment across assigned product and service categories. This role leads end-to-end procurement activities, from sourcing and contract management to supplier engagement, while collaborating closely with global category teams and diverse stakeholders across the UK, Middle East, and international regions. By leveraging global agreements, ensuring compliance with company policies and legislation, and identifying opportunities for savings and continuous improvement, the Category Manager supports successful program delivery and strengthens supplier and stakeholder relationships in line with Lockheed Martin's values.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the development and execution of category plans for assigned groups of products and services, identifying opportunities for savings, business efficiencies and supplier diversity.
• Collaborate with global category team to input Lockheed Martin UK requirements into global procurement activities, develop intimate understanding of global category agreements and work across business stakeholders to leverage these agreements where appropriate.
• Perform source to contract/purchase order activities and ongoing contract management.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, both within the UK, Middle East and Internationally, to understand requirements and achieve business outcomes.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand their procurement requirements and lead source to contract/Purchase Order activities.
• Enter procurement data records into the system/s of record and internal tracking tools in accordance with company processes and procedures.
• Liaise with external suppliers as required in a professional manner.
• Assist in the preparation of procurement data required by other stakeholders and management.
• Keep informed of price trends and assist in the evaluation of areas of opportunity to leverage material acquisitions.
• Work with LM Legal team to verify correct Terms and Conditions to be used for all procurements, draft and negotiate new Terms and Conditions where required.
• Lead other procurement activities outside main category as required.
• Develop solutions to a variety of complex problems, and provide and implement effective approved solutions.
• Actively attend and contribute to customer/stakeholder meetings as required.
• Actively contribute to the successful completion of specific programs and initiatives.
• Contribute to business improvement initiatives.
• Assist in the induction of new personnel as required.
• Comply with legislation and Company policies, processes and instructions, including those relating to non-discrimination, environment, safety, duty of care, and the quality management system.
• Display behaviours that reflect the Company values.
• Establish and maintain appropriate working relationships, ensuring effective and professional interaction with Lockheed Martin (LM) management, employees, customers, contractors and suppliers.
• Take reasonable care of your own health and safety, and that of others, follow any reasonable instruction given by LM, and report any concern(s) which may give rise to danger, and/or any injury which may occur in the workplace.
• Any other duties as required.

Qualifications – Essential

• Tertiary qualifications (degree or above) in a relevant Supply Chain discipline from a recognised institution, and/or equivalent relevant experience (preferably within the defence industry)
• Relevant certifications or Professional membership Qualifications

Qualifications – Desirable

• Tertiary qualification in supply chain management or certification with a professional body such as CIPS

Experience & Competencies – Essential

• Substantial experience in leading procurement activities across a range of scopes, including negotiating terms and conditions.
• Significant experience collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders, both internal and external.
• Computer literacy with an ability to analyse and interpret complex reports and material management information.
• Intermediate skills and experience in the use of MS Office and other relevant software packages and applications.
• Experience providing effective technical guidance, mentoring and training to other employees.
• Significant experience with executing IT Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) Hardware and Software agreements, inclusive of Software as a Service (SaaS) agreements.
• Significant experience with reviewing and negotiating End User License Agreements.
• Significant experience in driving Savings and value for money to a business.

Experience & Competencies – Desirable

• Experience with negotiating and executing on network and telephony contracts i.e. SDWAN/MPLS.
• International Terms and Conditions negotiation and contract creation.
• Data Analytics and SAP system acumen.
• Exposure to supply planning function, business rhythms and reports.

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent communication and influencing skills including the ability to prepare and present concise oral and written reports, briefings, updates and other documentation to internal and external stakeholders.
• Pro‑active approach with the ability to understand the business, identify issues, and develop and maintain relationships in order to achieve business objectives.
• Complete understanding of principles, theories and concepts and ability to apply these to solve problems.
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills with a strong attention to detail.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills, including ability to provide solutions to a wide range of difficult problems.
• Ability to develop and determine approaches to solutions in a practical and creative manner.
• Excellent ability to follow through and investigate issues with a thorough, methodological approach with a focus on drawing out quality solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple, concurrent activities, with tight deadlines, while understanding and managing priorities, dependencies and risks.
• Strong ability to adapt and maintain a flexible approach to changing needs or priorities.

Salary & Hours

Salary: £42,000- £46,000

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (4 x flex Monday-Thursday). At Lockheed Martin our employees come first and therefore your physical, mental and financial wellbeing matters to us. On top of working in a highly supportive, friendly, respectful environment you can expect so much more. We are an employer in support of and offering Flexible working with the option to also work a 4 day week depending on business requirements, where you have the option of Fridays off. We offer Competitive salaries alongside a flexible holiday entitlement. We have a Wealth of benefits available to you that can be selected through our wellbeing tool upon commencement of employment. Just a few of our amazing benefits are shown below.

Benefits

• Private Medical Insurance
• Competitive Pension
• Dental
• Critical Illness
• Life Assurance
• Travel Insurance
• Employee discounts for top high street shops
• Employee Assistance Program which includes free face to face counseling sessions, Legal advice, Financial advice, etc
• Internal training and development alongside our Education assistance programmes
• Reimbursement for a professional membership
• Competitive policies that support flexibility and family leave inclusive of enhanced maternity leave