Procurement Graduate Programme 2027

MBDA; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

25 days annual leave

Dynamic working

Pension

Job summary

MBDA invites applications for a two-year procurement programme based in Stevenage. You will engage with UK and international suppliers, source cutting-edge technology, and help ensure secure, resilient supply chains across defence projects.

The role offers a structured placements pathway and clear progression opportunities. The programme includes hybrid working with 1–3 days onsite, a potential company bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Degree required: minimum 2.2 in Business and Management or relevant discipline.

Responsibilities

• Procurement activities across categories, supplier relationships and project procurement support.
• Support team with sourcing, negotiations and contract terms.
• Gain hands-on experience across procurement & supply chain activities.

Education

Degree qualified in Business and Management or relevant discipline to a minimum of 2.2

Job description

At MBDA, procurement isn't just about buying—it's about building vital partnerships that shape world-leading defence capabilities. Joining our team means working with over 3,000 suppliers across the UK and internationally, where no two projects are the same. Whether you're helping source cutting-edge technology, negotiating with global partners, or ensuring our supply chains run seamlessly, you'll be at the heart of delivering innovation and security that makes a real difference.

Salary: £31,900 plus a £3000 joining bonus.

Hybrid working pattern: You can expect to be onsite for 1 to 3 days per week.

Security clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship.

Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

This role is scheduled to close for applications at midnight on Monday 2nd November 2026 but may close earlier depending on application volumes.

What We Can Offer You

• 2 year Programme: Starting September 2027
• Annual Salary Review
• Company bonus: Up to £2,500 (based on company performance and will vary year to year)
• Pension: Maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Overtime: Opportunity for paid overtime
• Annual Leave: 25 days plus option to purchase extra holiday
• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days
• Excellent career progression and development opportunities
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…
• Healthcare Cash Plan: The Healthcare Cash Plan benefit provides the option to claim cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental, health and wellbeing and more.

The Opportunity

Procurement opportunities don't come more varied than at MBDA! As prime contractor to the UK MoD and an employer of over 5,000 in the UK alone, we source a staggering and varied range of products, goods and services!

Our Procurement departments are responsible for the partnership and collaboration with over 3,000 UK and international suppliers. These suppliers enable us to provide world leading defence capabilities for our home nations and their allies, so effective management of these relationships is imperative.

You'll get real insight into a wide variety of Procurement activities including but not limited to; Category Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Project procurement, Sub-contracting and Services management.

You'll have the opportunity to gain hands on experience across many different aspects of Procurement & Supply chain such as;

• Bringing in essential product parts and test equipment to the business
• Managing commercial and business relationships with both UK and overseas companies, providing subsystems, systems, studies and customer support
• Risk Management; working on supplier strategies that offer value for money as well as building and nurturing key customer or partner relationships
• Subcontract management is an important task in this role and you'll get the opportunity to see how to draft and amend terms and conditions as well as negotiate and manage terms for many key relationships
• Supplier Relationship Management and managing supplier performance
• Exploring and supporting Indirect spend categories (i.e infrastructure, construction, software, hardware, telecoms, construction, travel and professional services projects) that support and allow the whole business to operate
• Support transformational change programmes to keep our Procurement processes, tools and approaches innovative and effective

How Is The Programme Structured?

Over this two year programme, you'll complete four six-month placements, in different areas of Procurement & Supply chain. You will gain exposure to a number of MBDA Projects, whilst developing technical, commercial and professional skills.

What We're Looking For From You

• Degree qualified in a Business and Management or relevant discipline to a minimum of 2.2

Our company:

Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.

We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more…

We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information

Benefits & Rewards

• Annual Bonus: Every year we reward our dedicated employees with an annual bonus. Exact amounts and percentages will vary by job grade and on business performance. This can be discussed/explained further with a member of the Resourcing team during your application process. We are proud to say that we were able to award our annual bonus to employees even through tough economic times in recent years, when other employers were less fortunate.
• 25 Days Annual Leave (plus holiday purchase): Employees receive 25 days of paid annual leave per calendar year, in addition to all statutory and public holidays. After 5, 10 and 15 years of service, an additional day of annual leave is added to your allowance at each of these milestones. You can also enjoy more time off by purchasing up to an additional five days holiday through payroll.
• Dynamic Working: We trust our people to agree, within their teams, where and when they can be most effective. Our Dynamic Working policies allow individuals great levels of flexibility around the hours they work and where they work. Depending on your role and function, this may include options for paid overtime, dynamic leave (time in lieu) and more. When applying, please check the job advert for details, then make sure to discuss what to expect with your recruiter.
• Enhanced Parental Leave: We recognise that having or adopting a child is a significant life event for our employees and as a family friendly employer we offer a range of enhanced family leave provisions to support employees before, during and after a period of leave. Our enhanced parental leave offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave. Enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments. We also offer 2 weeks enhanced pay for paternity leave, and neonatal care leave for up to 12 weeks where a period of extended hospital care is required after birth. Employees also have access to support whilst undergoing fertility testing and treatments.
• Lifestyle - Discounts & Vouchers: Discounts platform features discounts, instant vouchers, reloadable cards, easy saver cards, cashback, mobile app and Wellbeing Centre. Permanent employees of MBDA qualify for Costco’s individual membership. Technology Vouchers allow purchase of gadgets and white goods up to £2,500 and spread the cost over 12 months. Employees can donate to charities with tax relief, access the MBDA MyCar Scheme, and purchase up to 5 days' extra holiday.
• Gyms & Social Clubs: Healthworks on-site gym at Stevenage, discounted annual gym membership at over 3,600 UK gym chains and leisure facilities, and The Club social activities including theatre trips, days out and sporting activities.
• Pension & Finance: MBDA Retirement Savings Plan is a Defined Contribution plan in the Mercer Master Trust. Standard contributions are 4% employee base salary and 6% employer contributions, with options to increase. Employees have access to financial webinars, Share Incentive Plan, mortgage advice, season ticket loan and critical illness support.
• Share Incentive Plan: The Share Incentive Plan (SIP) is available and reinforces commitment to long-term share ownership amongst employees.
• Free Financial Advice: Through selected partnerships, MBDA offers free seminars throughout the year to help employees make financial decisions.
• Extracurricular Learning Budget: You can receive up to £150 towards the cost of approved courses each year including group language lessons.
• Health and Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme is free, independent, confidential and available 24 hours a day/365 days a year, including short-term counselling. Voluntary Private Medical Insurance, funded Private Medical Insurance for eligible employees, Dental Insurance, Healthcare Cash Plan, and Healthcare and Leisure benefits are available.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Everyone at MBDA UK can access free, confidential advice on financial, personal and workplace issues, available 24/7.

Information

You’ll be able to choose between a variety of online learning platforms such as Percipio, YouLearn, Career Builder and Video Gateway. Each one is tailored to a specific type of learning. Speak to your line manager to find out more.

We encourage new learning and will provide up to £150 in financial support per year if you wish to participate in further study in your own time. You’ll have access to our Learning Gateway, which hosts the formal course catalogue and is where you can select the right training for your role and future development. The catalogue displays which courses are being delivered virtually or are classroom based. If you want to lead a team, you might be interested in our management training, designed for people of all experience levels.

The way we work is changing and your schedule will reflect that. For non-executive employees, we have a flexi-time scheme that allows you to choose, within certain parameters, when you start and finish each day and how you can use time you have accrued. If you have worked the time, you are also able to accrue and take up to 15 days of Flexi-leave per annum, in addition to the 25 days of annual leave provided and bank holidays.

All employees at MBDA are required to hold UK Security or BPSS Clearance.