Principal Supply Chain Manager

BAE Systems.; Barrow-in-Furness; Hybrid; GBP 71,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense and aerospace company based in Barrow-in-Furness is seeking a Principal Supply Chain Manager to drive significant supplier relationship changes and lead complex programmes. The successful candidate will work on critical strategic investments to reshape supply chain operations, enhancing capacity and resilience. This role requires strong leadership skills, experience in complex supply chain management, and a MCIPS qualification or equivalent. Competitive salary of £70,865+ along with various employee benefits and the opportunity for relocation support are offered.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible discounted health benefits

Green car scheme

Private health plans

Shopping discounts

Potential annual incentive

Qualifications

• Proven experience in supplier relationship management with the ability to influence performance.
• Strong track record in delivering complex supply chain programmes across multiple stakeholders.
• Previous leadership experience with confidence in engaging with senior stakeholders.
• Exposure to capital investment and supply chain transformation initiatives is highly desirable.
• MCIPS qualification or equivalent experience in procurement and supply chain management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a cross-functional team delivering supplier infrastructure change.
• Deliver capacity and capability programmes supporting transformation objectives.
• Lead strategic investment decisions across the supply chain.
• Drive implementation of approved investment plans.
• Manage complex supplier relationships and programmes.

Skills

Supplier relationship management

Complex supply chain programmes

Leadership

Capital investment exposure

MCIPS qualification or equivalent

Job description

Job Title: Principal Supply Chain Manager

Location: Barrow-in-Furness (3 days per week onsite)

Salary: £70,865+ depending on skills and experience plus car allowance and bonus

What you'll be doing :

• Developing, maintaining, leading and managing a cross-functional team that delivers significant supplier infrastructure change programmes
• Delivering capacity and capability programmes to support the transformation objectives
• Leading activities related to strategic investment decisions across the supply chain
• Driving the implementation of approved investment plans to enable accelerated output
• Managing complex supplier relationships
• Managing complex supplier programmes from sourcing through to full implementation
• Leading regular reviews, performance metrics to ensure alignment with strategic objectives, actively supporting and contributing to senior leadership forums and functional review meetings by preparing and presenting key data insights and performance trends

Your skills and experiences:

• Proven experience in supplier relationship management, with the ability to influence and drive performance
• Strong track record in delivering complex supply chain programmes across multiple stakeholders
• Previous leadership experience, with confidence in engaging and presenting to senior stakeholders
• Exposure to capital investment and supply chain transformation initiatives is highly desirable
• MCIPS qualification or equivalent experience in procurement and supply chain management

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 Capability, Capacity & Resilience Supply Chain team :

This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-impact team leading a major business transformation. You will play a key role in leading supply chain investment change programmes that are critical to our future success. The team is at the forefront of reshaping our production rhythm, with the ambitious goal of doubling our output rate. Achieving this will require significant strategic change and end-to-end transformation. The role will focus on building strong supplier relationships, driving critical supplier change programmes, challenging conventional thinking, strengthening resilience, and expanding our capabilities to meet future demand. You will lead truly integrated, cross-functional teams and be exposed to complex business challenges. Through collaboration and teamwork, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact. 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:

9th January 2026

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.