Senior Category Buyer

Leonardo; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Leonardo is seeking a Senior Category Buyer to join their Electronics Procurement team in Luton. This role involves sourcing, negotiating, and managing supplier relationships while implementing strategic category management. The position offers a hybrid working model and a comprehensive benefits package, including flexible working hours and a strong commitment to employee development.

Benefits

Private healthcare

Dental coverage

Pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Flexible working hours

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted gym memberships

Free access to online courses

Qualifications

• Experience in defining and implementing category strategies.
• Ability to conduct risk analysis for purchases.
• Strong negotiation skills and supplier relationship management.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement category strategies.
• Analyze spend categories and identify actions.
• Oversee suppliers and subcontractors for compliance.

Skills

Supplier Management

Risk Analysis

Strategic Sourcing

Market Analysis

Negotiation

Education

Relevant Degree or Equivalent Experience

Job description

Job Description

The Opportunity

A great opportunity has arisen to join the Electronics Procurement Category Management team. We are looking for an experienced Senior Category Buyer to join our electronics and interconnect & cable assemblies category. In this role, you will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing supplier and stakeholder relationships.

What You’ll Do

1. You will be responsible for the definition and implementation of your own category strategies.
2. Analyze the spend categories managed by the company, in terms of impact on business and category complexity, and identify potential actions for each category.
3. Develop, with a focus on continuous improvement, the strategic sourcing of suppliers to achieve cost reductions, ensure compliance with delivery deadlines, and maintain high supply quality.
4. Oversee suppliers and subcontractors at the program/LoB level, supporting verification of compliance with contractual terms regarding performance, deadlines, and quality of supply; monitor the progress of supply contracts, identify critical issues, and define recovery plans.

What We Need From You

You really must have

• Responsibility for defining and implementing your own category strategies.
• Support in strategic Make or Buy (MoB) decisions, regarding product development, vertical integration, and M&A strategies.
• Conduct risk analysis for purchases by supplier or product to mitigate and prevent associated risks.
• Support the definition and application of offset strategies leveraging supply market knowledge.
• Assist the Sales Function in developing external cost estimates.
• Analyze managed spend categories for business impact and complexity, identifying potential actions.
• Determine the optimal number and mix of suppliers per region and category.
• Interface with other company functions to provide purchasing solutions for internal customer requests.
• Analyze market trends per product category and perform business intelligence activities to improve supplier market knowledge.
• Apply the most relevant sourcing strategy by macrocategory.
• Support tactical Make or Buy decisions to address production capacity issues and activate operational procurement if needed.
• Oversee suppliers and subcontractors, verifying compliance and performance, and support contract management.
• Define long-term sourcing strategies with suppliers, with support from the Procurement Program Manager.
• Monitor supply contract progress, identify critical issues, and develop recovery plans.

Security Clearance

You must be eligible for full security clearance. For more information, please visit UK Government Security Clearance Levels.

Life at Leonardo

With a company-funded benefits package, commitment to learning and development, and flexible working hours, a career with Leonardo offers many opportunities and accessibility.

• Flexible Working: Hybrid options and part-time opportunities.
• Company-funded Benefits: Private healthcare, dental, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle allowances (£500/year).
• Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays, with options to buy/sell leave and accrue up to 12 additional flexi days annually.
• Pension: Award-winning scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, mental health support, financial wellbeing, and diversity networks.
• Lifestyle: Discounted gym memberships, Cycle to Work scheme.
• Training: Free access to over 4000 online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn.

Primary Location

GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Additional Locations

GB - Edinburgh

Contract Type

Hybrid Working