Category Manager

Vertical Aerospace; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering electric aviation company in the United Kingdom is seeking a Category Manager to oversee procurement for the VX4 programme. The role entails developing supply chain strategies, negotiating contracts, and managing supplier relationships. Ideal candidates will have a degree in a business-related field, procurement experience, and strong negotiation skills. This position offers a dynamic work environment and an opportunity to be part of the future of Advanced Air Mobility.

Benefits

26 days holiday plus bank holidays

5 extra days to buy or sell

4% salary for additional benefits

Company performance-based bonus

Company Share Scheme

Pension Scheme with matching

Daily breakfast provided

Qualifications

• Experience in procurement within a regulated or complex industry.
• Strong analytical ability and operational focus.
• Willingness to learn in a fast-paced diverse team.

Responsibilities

• Develop procurement strategy for VX4 programme.
• Manage the negotiation of complex contracts.
• Build partnerships with key suppliers.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Commercial management

Project management

Relationship building

Education

Degree in business-related field or CIPS qualification

Job description

Our Mission

At Vertical Aerospace, we are pioneering the way for electric aviation. The VX4, our eVTOL (electric, vertical, take‑off and landing), ‘zero emissions’ aircraft will set a new safety standard for how we will navigate the sky.

We won’t realise our mission following the same legacy processes and traditions our predecessors followed, instead, we want to ‘redefine’ aerospace best practices.

We are growing quickly from a prototype business to a scaling SME, and the next few years will be critical to our success and delivering on our ambitious goals of having the VX4 in service by 2030.

What to Expect

As a Category Manager you'll be joining our Aircraft Procurement team, assisting us in selecting key supply chain partners who share our vision and values, negotiating contracts with those partners and managing our subsequent relationship with them, pushing them to excel.

The Category Manager positions span four key areas:

• Airframe
• Propellers
• Powertrain & Energy Storage
• Mechanical Systems

What You'll Do

You will be responsible for developing the end‑to‑end procurement strategy for our VX4 programme contributing to the continued development of our in‑house expertise, specialist knowledge and capabilities.

You will research, plan and execute the process of sourcing and selecting suppliers, evaluating potential suppliers based on criteria such as cost, quality and reliability.

You will manage the negotiation of complex, long‑term, high‑value contracts and oversee the entire contracting process, from the initial stages of preparing and issuing Requests for Information (RFI) and Requests for Proposal (RFP) to evaluating responses and securing contract terms.

You'll build strong partnerships with our key suppliers, managing supplier performance to secure on‑time, cost‑efficient and quality products whilst mitigating risk.

You'll be a strategic thinker who drives success by understanding market insights, VA and our supplier’s business priorities.

What You'll Bring

• A degree or equivalent in a business‑related field or CIPS qualification.
• Experience working in procurement within a regulated or complex industry, working closely with suppliers or customers in a global business.
• Strong commercial management skills and the ability to demonstrate prior contract negotiation experience.
• Global outlook and exposure to different challenges, cultures, and ways of working; willingness to learn and be part of a fast‑paced diverse team.
• Solid project management experience demonstrating technical skills, analytical ability, and operational focus.
• Ability to build and maintain lasting relationships, both with key internal stakeholders as well as our suppliers.

What can you expect from us?

We're on a mission. Where others see limits, we see opportunity, and we work at pace. Working at Vertical isn't your average role but for those seeking a challenge, a flexible, supportive organisation and an incredible team; working here is an opportunity to do the best work of your career.

Our approach promotes ingenuity and courage, while our environment builds success through diligence in safety and being open in the way we work. The only way we're going to assure the next chapter of aviation history is by working as a team, relentlessly, towards our goal.

Our benefits

Our people matter - we're not going anywhere without them. Which is why our company benefits go beyond the essentials.

• 26 days holiday, plus bank holiday.
• 5 extra days per year to buy( or sell).
• 5 extra days holiday when you get married or enter a civil partnership.
• Additional 4% of your salary to spend on extra benefits.
• Award‑winning digital health and wellbeing service (Help@Hand).
• Company performance‑based bonus - rewarding company and individual performance.
• Company Share Scheme - open to every Vertical employee.
• Company Pension Scheme - 5% and we match it.
• Breakfast on us, every day.

We may just be the hardest job you've ever had, but we're confident it will be the most rewarding. Join the team today and help us shape the future of Advanced Air Mobility.

Disclaimer Statement

We encourage you to apply even if you may not have all the experience listed in the advert. We recognise that talent comes in various forms and we are committed to providing opportunities that create an environment of growth, diversity, and inclusion for everyone. As part of our desire to review and make our processes fair, we may ask you questions related to these aspects during the application process. For more information on how we will use your data, see our Legal section.