Programme Manager Defence - Major Subcontracts

Lockheed Martin; Havant; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Lockheed Martin UK is seeking a Strategic Supply Chain Manager to guide cross‑functional teams and shape supplier relationships within the Defence sector. The role is based at Ampthill, Bedfordshire, with a 4xFlex pattern enabling a four‑day week and hybrid options mid‑week.

You will influence strategy, mentor teams, and develop capabilities for future growth, including direct management responsibilities as needed. A security clearance at SC level is required.

Qualifications

• Proven Programme Management experience within the Defence industry.
• Ability to manage multiple suppliers to meet cost, schedule and technical performance requirements of highly complex subcontracts.
• Outstanding Programme Management, Commercial, Financial and Technical management acumen.
• Capable of identifying and mitigating risks and implementing effective mitigation strategies.
• Success in working in multi-functional organisations.
• Able to achieve delivery to tight schedules in a dynamic work environment.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for ensuring Supply Chain function is correctly positioned to influence the Business Area strategy and delivery plans. Ensuring that supply chain is proactively and consistently leveraged to improve capture and programme delivery performance.
• Accountable for all Supply Chain risk and opportunity management
• Align tactical delivery of supply chain to all strategic requirements, where said tactical activity is managed by peers within the Functional structure
• Act as escalation point to manage the subordinate teams overseeing the management of supplier cost, schedule, and technical performance for commercial, MOD and international programs.
• Directing contract administration resource and the developing subcontract specifications, work statements, and terms and conditions for the procurement of specialised materials, equipment, and services for subcontract systems.

Skills

Programme Management

Supplier management

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Schedule management

Security clearance

Tools

SAP

Job description

About The Role

The Strategic Supply Chain Manager is a role within the Lockheed Martin UK Global Supply Chain Organisation based from our Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Ampthill, Bedfordshire and reporting directly into the Head of Supply Chain.

This role benefits from our 4xFlex working pattern offering a 4 day working week Monday - Thursday (Monday and Tuesday fulltime onsite with Wednesday and Thursday hybrid working depending on business needs).

You will be accountable for operating at a strategic level, influencing cross‑functionally to support business area goal formation and delivery. LMUK(Ampthill) has a worldwide supply base although predominantly in the UK, Europe, Middle East and the US.

Initially the role will focus on influencing, coaching, and mentoring skills rather than direct line reporting responsibilities. However, to enable future growth, proven direct team management capability will be essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for ensuring Supply Chain function is correctly positioned to influence the Business Area strategy and delivery plans. Ensuring that supply chain is proactively and consistently leveraged to improve capture and programme delivery performance.
• Accountable for all Supply Chain risk and opportunity management
• Align tactical delivery of supply chain to all strategic requirements, where said tactical activity is managed by peers within the Functional structure
• Act as escalation point to manage the subordinate teams overseeing the management of supplier cost, schedule, and technical performance for commercial, MOD and international programs.
• Directing contract administration resource and the developing subcontract specifications, work statements, and terms and conditions for the procurement of specialised materials, equipment, and services for subcontract systems.

The successful candidate must achieve the appropriate level (SC) of security clearance. More details can be found here

Required Skills, Qualifications And Experience

• Proven Programme Management experience within the Defence industry
• Ability to manage multiple suppliers to meet cost, schedule and technical performance requirements of highly complex subcontracts.
• Outstanding Programme Management, Commercial, Financial and Technical management acumen.
• Capable of identifying and mitigating risks and implementing effective mitigation strategies.
• Success in working in multi-functional organisations.
• Able to achieve delivery to tight schedules in a dynamic work environment.

Desired Skills

• Experience as a supply chain professional in developing subcontracts to support new business including bids and captures for complex items and systems.
• Supply chain experience in the defence sector.
• Application of Earned Value Management.
• Knowledge of SAP (or similar) ERP systems.
• CIPS qualification