Procurement Manager

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Procurement professional to join our Procurement and Commercial Team within the Electronic Warfare (EW) Line of Business (Capability Green – Luton). As the accountable Procurement Lead for the Typhoon EW programmes, you will be responsible for delivering high-level contractual understanding, negotiation experience, relationship management, and contractual management.

This role involves actively working in a matrix organisation structure as the Procurement lead within the Combat Air Sector of our Electronic Warfare (EW) business, reporting directly to the Senior Procurement Manager. You will deliver strategic Procurement strategies for the overarching Typhoon platform (EW), document and implement appropriate Procurement strategies with the team to achieve both development and production objectives.

The successful candidate must have demonstrated performance in applying strategic and agile thinking to complex issues and a detailed understanding of manufacturing and production to influence a breadth of business decisions and create a compelling product offering with a flexible and motivated supply chain.

You will be responsible for developing robust contracts with a breadth of suppliers, which mitigate commercial risk, demonstrate competitive offerings, and address lifecycle factors while fostering and maintaining supplier relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the Procurement strategy and associated Procurement Plan (EW Typhoon) which must flex to consider all business capture options and include both legacy and future development programmes.
• Lead Procurement aspects of the Cost Model creation ensuring validity and robustness of Procurement aspects.
• Support specific contractual requirements and ensure that procurement offering is able to meet any customer governance expectations.
• Liaise with the internal Operations Supply Chain team to ensure the Procurement Strategy dovetails appropriately to support any push-pull requirements.
• Responsible for overseeing the management of the Continuity of Supply for the Praetorian Product (CSPP).
• Develop overarching Towed Decoy Strategy with appropriate functions and oversee the execution of the procurement strategy.
• Mobilise supplier Business Agreements and Service Level Agreements needed with strategic suppliers.
• Oversee strategic supplier competitions and establish multiple-source options where risk requires.
• Develop effective relationships both horizontally and vertically with the EW Typhoon Suppliers, Partners, and Subcontractors to influence successful outcomes.
• Translate customer/project requirements into Procurement documents where required contractually or to support Life Cycle Management (LCM) governance.
• Work with stakeholders, at all levels, in order to understand customer requirements and critical success factors.
• Understanding mechanisms of mitigating risk associated with entering into commercial agreements. Also, consider risk/resilience within the EW Typhoon supply base.
• Develop and negotiate robust contracts for services, intangible, and tangible deliverables using standard and non-standard formats.
• Ensure that the appropriate commercial protections are in place such as; effective Partnering Agreements, Supply Agreements, Software Licence Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)/Export Licences etc. and Manufacturing Licencing Agreements.
• Drives and leads strategies to influence business decisions throughout the project life cycle.
• Identify solutions for complex areas of potential risk/opportunity e.g. sub-contract risk, IPR, liability, and exchange rate exposure etc.
• Lead the generation and review of 'appropriate' specifications and Statement of Work documents.
• Promotes a culture of best practice and sharing of knowledge within the function and across the wider business.
• Management of Compliance and Governance, restrictions for all procured items and services.

Requirements

• Strong and effective communication skills, with the ability to develop and nurture internal and external relationships, promote customer intimacy, and team working.
• A record of accomplishment of delivering Sub-Contracted work packages.
• Qualified to degree level or equivalent or significant relevant work experience (studying towards or achievement of MCIPS is preferred).
• A good understanding of the Commercial and Legal Aspects associated with contracting within the Defence/Aerospace industry or a similar market sector.
• An ability to think 'outside of the box' offering solutions to enable the function to add value and innovation.
• Ability to engage and influence cross-functional/cross-site teams.
• Good communication skills – written, oral, and presentations.
• Stakeholders will be based both UK and overseas, travel and overnights will be required at times throughout the lifecycle.
• Presence, be it both within the office as well as at the supply base. Visibility is a key driver for this role to be a success.

Desirable

• A good working knowledge and understanding of Procurement within the Defence/Aerospace industry (or a similar sector) and ability to apply them with minimal supervision and direction.
• A good understanding of IPR associated with contracting within the Defence/Aerospace industry (or a similar sector).
• Degree or equivalent in Business Studies.
• Ideally MCIPS qualified or studying towards.
• SAP familiarity (or equivalent integrated business systems).

Security Clearance

Life at Leonardo

Our Procurement management team prioritises our people and puts a significant emphasis on training and development. This role not only provides a challenging role to deliver highly complex Procurement assignments, which in itself will provide job satisfaction, it will also provide the opportunity to grow and develop as an individual.

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.

• Pension: Award-winning pension scheme (up to 10% employer contribution).
• Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays, option to buy/sell leave and to accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per year.
• Flexible Working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part-time opportunities, please talk to us.
• Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, access to Mental Health support, Financial wellbeing support, network groups (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Reservists, Carers).
• Lifestyle: Discounted Gym membership, Cycle to work scheme.
• Company-funded flexible benefits: Access to private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle options (£500 annual allowance).
• Training: Free access to more than 4000 online courses via Coursera.
• Referral Incentive: You can earn a reward for successfully referring a friend or family member.
• Bonus: Scheme in place for all employees at management level and below.

For a full list of our Company benefits, please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global high-tech company and one of the key players in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, Leonardo has over 45,000 employees, of which 7,000 are based in the UK. At Leonardo UK, we believe that a diverse and inclusive work environment unlocks our people's full potential and drives innovation and creativity. We work hard to offer a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive place to work for all of our people, creating a culture where everyone can thrive, feel safe, and have a sense of belonging and connection.

This is a great opportunity to bring your talents and form an integral part of Leonardo's future. We can help you develop your skills and offer great opportunities to develop and grow, so why not join us.