Indirect Procurement Services Advisor

Leonardo UK Ltd; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defence company in Reading seeks a Procurement Manager to oversee indirect procurement processes. The role demands extensive supply chain experience and skills in negotiation and team leadership. You will collaborate with multiple stakeholders to deliver project value while ensuring compliance with defence regulations. A permanent contract with hybrid working options is offered.

Benefits

Generous leave

Pension scheme with 15% employer contribution

Mental health support

Bonus scheme

Access to online courses

Flexible benefits worth £500 annually

Hybrid working options

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of supply chain processes.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders successfully.
• Understanding of defence regulations, compliance, and security requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the sourcing, pre-qualification and procurement processes.
• Deliver effective management and leadership to the team.
• Negotiate and finalise contracts with suppliers.

Skills

Supply Chain experience

Negotiating skills

Decision-making skills

Effective communication skills

Job description

Job Description

Your Impact

You will work as a member of a joint venture team within the Indirect Procurement team. This will include managing joint venture Indirect Procurement requirements. The role sits within the Indirect Procurement team which interfaces with functional teams, providing over‑arching indirect procurement services.

You will be required to manage the end‑to‑end procurement process for all Indirect Procurement projects within your designated category. This includes active involvement at all stages of the project lifecycle starting with stakeholder and demand management, sourcing and tendering, contract negotiation and supplier management.

This role will require you to work with multiple stakeholders including project managers, budget holders, SMEs, in‑house consultants, and external suppliers to devise and execute a suitable procurement strategy that delivers project and corporate value.

What you'll do

• Deliver effective management and leadership to the assigned category team of Supply Chain Professionals, creating an environment for the team to succeed while delivering a broad scope of projects to time, quality and cost standards.
• Work with the wider business and its external professional teams to support the development of sourcing and contracting solutions/strategies for the joint venture.
• Provide commercial and supply chain support to the delivery programmes.
• Lead the sourcing, pre‑qualification and contracting procurement process, inclusive of tender pack development, evaluation and award.
• Negotiate and prepare contract documents.
• Manage Framework Agreements.
• Manage internal and external stakeholders.
• Negotiate and finalise contracts with the external supply chain, providing cost and pricing expertise.
• Actively identify and deliver savings and project value in support of the Indirect Procurement Services value proposition.
• Indirect Category strategies – e.g., Infrastructure, facilities, consultancy, technology, travel, payment solutions, etc.

What you'll bring

• Extensive Supply Chain experience.
• Understanding of defence regulations, compliance, and security requirements.
• Experience of integration, setting targets, and co‑ordinating activities.
• Experience of leading a team and proven ability to motivate direct and virtual teams across the business, externally and internationally.
• Negotiating skills.
• Decision‑making skills and ability to translate strategy into action, creating winning solutions and output for the business.
• Effective communication skills, able to manage messages to multiple audiences.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, creating good relationships.
• Expertise in planning, implementing, and optimising supply chain processes.
• Proficiency in identifying supply chain risks.

Desirable skills

• Preferably in a high‑volume, fast‑paced aerospace, defence, regulated or manufacturing market.
• Experience working with international partners would be beneficial.
• Experience of working in a complex programme environment, particularly complex development contracts.

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, which 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 employee‑led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part‑time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Be part of something bigger – apply now!

Seniority:

Primary Location:

GB - Reading

Additional Locations:

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Onsite