Improvement Manager - Procurement

-; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense and aerospace company is seeking an Improvement Manager for their Supply Chain team in Barrow-In-Furness. In this role, you will manage change initiatives, lead the Functional Improvement team, and analyze operational performance for improvements. The ideal candidate has strong experience in process optimization and a degree in a relevant field. The position offers flexible working arrangements and other excellent benefits.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health benefits

Private health plans

Shopping discounts

Annual incentive eligibility

Qualifications

• Proven experience in driving improvement or process optimisation within Supply Chain.
• Good understanding of Procurement processes.
• Knowledge of improvement methodologies with high-level analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage change within the function and lead functional change boards.
• Develop the Functional Improvement team through coaching.
• Analyse operational performance to identify inefficiencies.
• Lead projects ensuring successful implementation.
• Facilitate training sessions and workshops.
• Collaborate with the Transformation team.

Skills

Driving improvement

Operational excellence

Process optimisation

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Education

Degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field

Tools

Lean methodologies

Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt)

Job description

Job Title: Improvement Manager – Procurement

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

Salary: £56,000+ Depending on experience

What you'll be doing

• Responsibility for managing change within the function, chairing functional change boards at all levels
• Leading and developing the Functional Improvement team while coaching and mentoring in the effective application of tools and methodologies
• Analysing operational performance to identify inefficiencies, waste, and areas that would benefit from an improved performance
• Leading projects end-to-end, ensuring successful implementation and long-term sustainability
• Facilitating training sessions and workshops
• Tracking and reporting on benefit realisation
• Collaborate with the Transformation team and broader function to support the successful delivery of the Supply Chain functional strategic objectives

Your skills and experiences

Essential:

• Proven experience in driving improvement, operational excellence, or process optimisation within Supply Chain functions, alongside demonstrable line management capability
• Good understanding of Procurement processes
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt preferred), or other improvement methodologies, with high-level analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Experienced in managing stakeholders with an ability to guide and influence outcomes

Desirable:

• Degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field

Benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Systems of Work Enablement (CI) Team

Join us as a Continuous Improvement Manager in Supply Chain and take the lead in driving impactful change. You will guide cross‑functional teams to uncover opportunities, implement process enhancements, and champion a culture of continuous improvement across the function. This developing team offers a unique opportunity for you to shape its direction and influence how we operate as we continue to grow and evolve. We offer relocation support packages across all Submarines roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

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

1st December 2025

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.