Sub Contract Manager

leonardo company; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Leonardo is seeking a Sub-Contract Manager in Edinburgh to support their Radar Surveillance procurement team. This pivotal role involves managing sub-contracts, developing procurement strategies, and ensuring supplier performance in a dynamic environment. The successful candidate will need a proactive mindset, significant procurement experience, and the skills to foster cross-functional collaboration within the company, all while contributing to a global leader in defence electronics.

Benefits

Private healthcare

25 days plus bank holidays

Pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution

Discounted Gym membership

Flexible working hours

Access to 4000 online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn

Qualifications

• Experience in procurement or subcontract management in Defence/Aerospace.
• Strong commercial acumen with negotiation and planning skills.
• Good understanding of legal and commercial contracting principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead sub-contract management and procurement activities across multiple programmes.
• Draft and negotiate complex agreements and business case models.
• Manage end-to-end sourcing tasks including RFQ and PO placement.

Skills

Negotiation

Problem Solving

Communication

Analytical Skills

Education

Degree-level education

MCIPS qualification

Tools

SAP

Job description

Leonardo is a global leader in defence electronics, delivering mission-critical systems for situational awareness, electronic warfare, and surveillance across land, sea, and air.

We’re currently looking for a Sub-Contract Manager to join our Procurement team in Edinburgh, supporting the Radar Surveillance line of business.

This is a pivotal role in our Aftermarket & Support area—where you will contribute to long-term customer support. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams to shape procurement strategies, solve complex challenges, and make a meaningful impact on key programmes.

If you thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and enjoy driving results, this is the opportunity for you.

What you will do

In this varied and engaging role, you will:

Lead sub-contract management and related procurement activities across multiple programmes

Drive supplier performance through regular engagement, business reviews, and proactive risk management

Play a key role in developing aftermarket solutions, often operating independently to deliver outcomes

Act as the procurement lead within cross-functional teams—working closely with engineering, production, commercial, and project colleagues

Draft and negotiate commercially complex agreements and business case models that support programme success

Translate aftermarket project requirements into clear commercial frameworks and negotiate these with suppliers

Identify and mitigate risks around contracts, IPR, liabilities, and currency exposure

Shape procurement strategies throughout the full project lifecycle, working closely with the production procurement team to identify joint opportunities

Prepare and review Statements of Work (SoW) and contract documentation in collaboration with internal stakeholders

Prepare and maintain a range of Lifecycle Management (LCM) reporting tools, including Procurement Plans to track material sourcing, contracting compliance, and bid support status.

Provide insightful analysis of material pricing to support Product Cost Review Boards for support requirements, identifying opportunities for cost optimisation aligned with project targets

Manage end-to-end sourcing tasks including Request for Quotation (RFQ) and Purchase Order (PO) placement using SAP

Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across the function

Ensure compliance with export regulations, third-party rights, and internal governance frameworks

What we are looking for

We are looking for someone who is not only technically capable but also forward-thinking and confident in building relationships across the business. You should be:

Proactive and self-driven, with the ability to take initiative and lead by example

A strong communicator, able to build trust with stakeholders and suppliers

Analytical and curious, with a passion for understanding problems and creating practical solutions

Collaborative, with a team-first mindset and the ability to work across functions

You really must have:

Degree-level education or equivalent experience/training (MCIPS qualification or working towards it is desirable)

Proven experience in procurement or subcontract management—ideally within Defence, Aerospace, or a similar regulated sector

Strong commercial acumen with negotiation, planning, and problem-solving skills

A good understanding of legal and commercial contracting principles

The ability to manage multiple priorities and contribute to both detail and strategic direction

Familiarity with SAP

It would be nice if you also had:

Knowledge of Export Compliance

Why join our procurement team?

At Leonardo, you will be part of a motivated team where your ideas matter and your growth is supported. You will enjoy autonomy in your role, access to development opportunities, and the chance to make a real difference in a globally recognised organisation.

If you're looking for a role that’s both challenging and rewarding—and want to be part of a forward-thinking, high-performing team

With a company funded benefits package, a commitment to learning and development, and a flexible approach to working hours focused on the needs of both our employees and customers, a career with Leonardo has never offered as many opportunities or been more accessible to as many people.

Flexible Working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us

Company funded flexible benefits: Access to private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle options (£500 annual allowance)

Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays, option to buy/sell leave and to accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per year

Pension: Award winning pension scheme (up to 15% employer contribution)

Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme with access to free mental health support, financial wellbeing support and network groups to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to diversity & inclusion (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity)

Lifestyle: Discounted Gym membership, Cycle to work scheme

Training: Free access to more than 4000 online courses via Coursera and Linkedin

International, multicultural, innovative, technological: this is Leonardo. The company’s passionate and talented team is strongly influenced by STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) expertise, with a diverse range of experience that enables colleagues to share knowledge and know-how across the generations.

Leonardo always wants to expand its talent pool, here you can find the right opportunity for you!