Category Manager

leonardocompany; Luton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12 flexi-days per year

Pension with employer contribution up

Mental health support

Job summary

Leonardo UK is seeking a Category Manager (L8) in the Electronics Division to shape and deliver category strategy across UK sites, including Edinburgh, Basildon, and Luton. You will lead a team of procurement professionals and manage end-to-end tendering and contract execution.

The role requires extensive procurement and category management experience, strong knowledge of contracts, SAP, and MS Office, with a relevant business or engineering degree. Travel is moderate.

Qualifications

• Extensive procurement experience, preferably including category management.
• Understanding of contract terms & conditions.
• Experience managing a team in a corporate environment.
• Degree in business or engineering or equivalent experience.
• Experience in managing complex tenders.
• Experience in regulated environments.
• Proficient MS Office skills.
• CIPS qualification preferred.
• SAP user experience.

Responsibilities

• Deliver strategy for the category across UK sites.
• Lead a team of procurement professionals.
• Ensure timely execution of contracts and tender management.
• Engage with functions and projects to identify opportunities.
• Maintain relationships with strategic suppliers and conduct business reviews.
• Develop and implement the Category Management framework.

Skills

Procurement experience

Category management

Contract terms

Team management

MS Office

CIPS qualification

SAP user experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or engineering

Tools

SAP

Job description

Salary: £65,000 - £70,000

Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.

Category Manager (L8) - Electronics Division | Edinburgh/Basildon/Luton

Travel: Moderate

Leonardo is a global leader in defence electronics and delivers mission critical systems for situational awareness, electronic warfare and surveillance across land, sea and air. Leonardo's Electronics Division is an international leader in the development of innovative sensor products deployed across a wide range of airborne platforms for our Aerospace and Defence customers.

We have an excellent opportunity for a Category Manager to join the Category Management Organisation within the Procurement & Commercial Function of the Electronics Division. The successful candidate will report to the UK Senior Category Manager and be responsible for managing Leonardo UK's Technical and supply chain service categories, encompassing test solutions, engineering resource outsourcing and vendor-managed inventory.

Your impact:

• Be responsible for delivering all aspects of the strategy for the category (or categories) under your ownership which will have an impact on a number of different sites across the UK
• Manage a team of procurement professionals who will support you in delivering the relevant category strategy (or strategies)
• Be accountable for the timely execution of contracts within your category across the UK. This includes all aspects of the sourcing phase including vendor shortlisting, competitive tender management, price and contract negotiations
• Promote a culture of engaging with members of various functions and projects to identifying opportunities
• Be accountable for relationships with strategic suppliers who may serve multiple sites including responsibility for regular business reviews
• Support the Head of Direct Category Management by defining, evolving and implementing the relevant category strategy within a dynamic team
• Represent Category Management by owning the relationship with specific LoB's/sectors across the UK and influencing stakeholders from various functions to ensure the success of the category management strategy
• Work with the procurement capability team to ensure that we have a supply base which can meet the evolving needs of the business
• Influence stakeholders from various functions to ensure the success of the category management strategy
• Oversee the delivery of cost savings using various methods which you can confidently present to senior business leaders
• Oversee complex price analysis by members of the team and benchmarking activities prior to leading negotiations
• Support the Head of Direct Category Management by developing the the Category Management framework
• Ensure compliance with internal governance and customer flowdown requirements, supporting internal and external audits as required
• Ensure that SAP is aligned to reflect the agreements that your team will implement

Job Knowledge / Education and Qualifications

• Extensive Procurement experience, preferably including category management
• Demonstrable working knowledge and understanding of Contract Terms & Conditions
• Experience in managing a team of professionals in a corporate environment
• A relevant business/ engineering degree and/or working experience in a similar role
• Significant experience in managing complex tenders
• A thorough understanding of business processes and their contribution towards meeting business objectives
• Experience working in a highly regulated business environment
• Proficient level of MS Office based IT skills
• CIPS qualification preferred
• SAP user experience

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government's Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work-life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we're here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and emplo