Senior Sub-Contract Buyer

Leonardo UK Ltd; Hemel Hempstead; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time to Recharge: up to 12 flexi-days

Pension scheme up to 15%

Mental health support

Bonus scheme

Free access to online courses

Job summary

Leonardo UK Ltd is seeking a Senior Sub-Contract Buyer to lead procurement activities across defence and national security projects. The role sits in a small, agile team with a focus on adding value through strategic procurement and supplier management, based near Bristol with custom working attendance.

Key duties include supplier negotiations, RFQ execution, contract drafting, and risk mitigation across the supply base, with opportunities to influence procurement strategy and cost reductions.

Qualifications

• Experience in procurement of goods and/or services.
• Proven ability to work independently.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
• Good communicator who can build effective relationships.
• Pro-active and results driven mentality.

Responsibilities

• PO management
• RFQ process
• supplier negotiation
• working in cross-functional teams
• managing supplier performance
• managing and mitigating risk across the supply base
• reporting to key stakeholders
• support to procurement strategy development
• investigating areas of opportunity for cost reductions
• drafting commercial documents such as NDAs, Teaming Agreements, SOWs, etc.

Skills

Procurement experience

Negotiation

Independent working

Communication

Cost reduction mindset

Education

Degree level or equivalent

Tools

SAP

Job description

Job Description

Your Impact

Our Cyber & Security Solutions division is looking for a Senior Sub-Contract Buyer to work across multiple exciting projects across defence and national security. We are a relatively small agile team where innovation and adding value at all levels of Procurement is at the core of our work practices. The role is based in Bristol but attendance at site is on a custom-working basis.

What you will do as a Senior Sub-Contract Buyer

• PO management
• RFQ process
• supplier negotiation
• working in cross-functional teams
• managing supplier performance
• managing and mitigating risk across the supply base
• reporting to key stakeholders
• support to procurement strategy development
• investigating areas of opportunity for cost reductions
• drafting commercial documents such as NDAs, Teaming Agreements, SOWs, etc.

What you’ll bring

• experience in procurement of goods and/or services
• proven ability to work independently
• strong negotiation and influencing skills
• good communicator who can build effective relationships
• pro-active and results driven mentality
• appropriate training to Degree level or equivalent, or relevant work experience
• experience of working with SAP, or similar MRP system

It would be nice if you had

• an understanding of legal aspects and an ability to negotiate bespoke terms and conditions
• CIPS
• knowledge of the Cyber sector or experience of working within a Systems Integrator
• awareness of Trade Compliance regulations

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work-life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we're here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Primary Location

GB - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane

Contract Type

Employee-Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid

Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.