Procurement Business Development Manager - Australia

Saab UK; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global defense leader seeks a Business Development Manager in London to identify supply chain opportunities connecting Australian suppliers with the European market. The ideal candidate will have strong procurement and supply chain experience and excellent stakeholder management skills. This role offers a chance to significantly enhance Australian contributions to Saab's supply chain and requires proficiency in CRM tools and team leadership.

Qualifications

• Strong international Procurement & Supply Chain sourcing experience for technical products.
• Understanding of contractual requirements of large multi-discipline projects.
• Experience in leading a high performing team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement business development strategies aligned with GEOP goals.
• Identify potential internal customers and qualify them as opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and new customers.

Skills

International Procurement & Supply Chain sourcing

CRM software proficiency

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Organisational skills

Education

Relevant supply chain qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Presentation software

Job description

Introduction

Saab UK is part of Scandinavia's largest defence company, bringing together the best of Swedish, British and Australian innovation. Saab offers world‑leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space, and civil security to keep people and society safe. Our UK presence has been growing at pace, meaning we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth. We currently employ over 600 people across eight sites in the UK, and our specialisations include software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training.

What you will be part of

Explore a wealth of possibilities. Take on challenges, create smart inventions, and grow beyond. This is a place for curious minds, brave pioneers, and everyone in between. Together, we achieve the extraordinary, each bringing our unique perspectives. Your part matters.

Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring mission, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 26,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world.

Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations.

The Role

The purpose of this position is to lead Saab Australia's GEOP Business Development activities in Europe. The key activity is identifying and facilitating supply chain and development opportunities for Australian industry within Saab in Europe

Embedded in the UK and reporting to the UK Chief Operating Officer (dotted line to the Australian Program Manager – Global Export Opportunity Program (GEOP) this role will work to connect Supply Chain demand for Saab Europe to Australian Suppliers with the goal of increasing Australian content across the Saab first tier and lower tier supply chain.

It's an excellent opportunity to demonstrate success by increasing Australian exports into the European Supply Chain and will test your stakeholder management, influencing and project management skills as well as your technical supply chain sourcing experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement business development strategies aligned with GEOP goals
• Identify potential internal customers, conduct research to assess their needs and fit, and qualify them as potential opportunities
• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing customers, and cultivate new customer relationships
• Find and develop opportunities for Australian companies to respond to sourcing events
• Oversee and manage the opportunity pipeline in the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool, ensuring records are maintained and up to date
• Promote and champion the GEOP when engaging with Saab stakeholders
• Travel as needed to promote and achieve GEOP objectives
• Understand the Head Contract between the Commonwealth of Australia and Saab Australia, especially in regard to the Strategic Performance Measures and Project Performance Indicators that Saab Australia has signed up to

Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• Strong international Procurement & Supply Chain sourcing experience for technical products
• Proficiency in CRM software, Microsoft Office Suits, and presentation software
• Understanding of contractual requirements of large multi‑discipline projects in an engineering, construction or Defence environment
• Experience in a commercial environment including contract preparation, administration and management of contractual relationships
• Experience in leading a high performing team.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Organisational skills with ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Proficiency in literacy and numeracy skills commensurate for the role.
• Experience understanding and performing against explicit KPIs
• Ability to travel in Europe and occasionally Australia.

Desirable but not mandatory

• Commonwealth Global Supply Chain Program (GSCP), Australian Industry Capability or other Defence industry program management knowledge and experience
• Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply accreditation (MCIPS) or similar international Procurement & Supply Chain qualification

By submitting an application to Saab UK you consent to undertaking workforce screening activities that may include but are not limited to: Baseline Personnel Security checks, National Security Vetting, reference checks, verification of working rights and in all circumstances preferred candidates will be placed through a security interview.