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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies and manage supplier capabilities in a dynamic team environment.
- Company: Join MBDA, a leading defence organisation supporting the Armed Forces and promoting freedom.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, bonuses, flexible hours, and enhanced parental leave.
- Why this job: Be part of a growing team driving innovative technologies with a strong focus on collaboration and impact.
- Qualifications: CIPS qualification preferred; strong procurement experience and analytical skills required.
- Other info: Diversity is celebrated here; we support various employee-led networks for inclusivity.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 91000 £ per year.
We are looking to recruit a UK Procurement Category Manager responsible for the growing and challenging Development needs and activities within the ISP-S Team.
Salary: Circa £65,000 depending on experience
Dynamic (hybrid) working: Minimum 2 days per week on-site
Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.
What we can offer you:
- Company Bonus: Bonus of up to 21% of base salary
- Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
- Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
- Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave - enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
- Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more
The opportunity:
As MBDA volumes and programme coverage expands, there is a growing need to expand our supplier capabilities into new, novel and cutting edge technologies. Procurement value has more than doubled over the last two years and is forecast to continue to grow multiple times in the next 4 years. As a result of this growth, we need to ensure senior ownership of these categories from someone who can ensure we have appropriate Procurement Strategies and contractual coverage that deliver the growth in line with the growing Business needs. You will need to be strategic in your approach, leading through a Multi-Functional Team but able to step in to lead at a senior level. You should have good Procurement experience in a similar environment but ideally in a similar category. You should have strong influencing skills, demonstrate a history of great collaboration as well as strong commercial attention to detail. You will be working as a senior member of the ISP-S team within the UK supporting the delivery of this complex category.
What we're looking for from you:
- Ideally CIPS qualified but as a minimum should be able to demonstrate a very good level of professional procurement rigour and academic capability.
- Should be able to demonstrate a significant level of depth and breadth in Procurement strategic and operational experience.
- A very goal-oriented individual with strong cultural awareness, excellent team building capabilities who is capable of taking key strategic decisions.
- Excellent analytical/Excel capabilities and ideally experience of SAP.
- Ideally will have some experience of developing new capability through the Supply Chain and procurement within this Category.
Our company: Peace is not a given, Freedom is not a given, Sovereignty is not a given. MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom. We are proud of our employee-led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more. We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.
UK Category Manager employer: MBDA
Contact Detail:
MBDA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land UK Category Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in procurement and supply chain management, especially within the defence sector. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your commitment to staying updated.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement field, particularly those who have experience in the defence industry. Attend relevant events or join online forums to build connections that could provide insights or referrals for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your strategic decision-making and collaboration skills. Think of scenarios where you've successfully influenced stakeholders or led a team through complex procurement challenges.
✨Tip Number 4
Research MBDA's recent projects and initiatives to understand their business needs and how your skills can contribute to their growth. Tailoring your discussions around their objectives will show your genuine interest in the company.
We think you need these skills to ace UK Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the UK Procurement Category Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these needs.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your procurement experience, especially in strategic roles. Provide specific examples of how you've successfully managed categories or projects that relate to the job.
Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to mention your influencing skills, collaboration history, and attention to detail. Use quantifiable achievements to demonstrate your capabilities, such as cost savings or successful negotiations.
Tailor Your Application: Customise your CV and cover letter for this specific role. Use keywords from the job description, such as 'strategic procurement' and 'multi-functional team', to ensure your application stands out to recruiters.
How to prepare for a job interview at MBDA
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a UK Procurement Category Manager. Familiarise yourself with procurement strategies, supplier capabilities, and the specific challenges mentioned in the job description.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous procurement experience in detail. Highlight any relevant projects where you've successfully led teams or developed new capabilities within the supply chain.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be ready to explain how you approach strategic decision-making. Use examples from your past roles to illustrate your ability to lead multi-functional teams and make key decisions that align with business growth.
✨Highlight Collaboration Skills
Collaboration is key in this role. Prepare examples that showcase your influencing skills and your ability to work effectively with diverse teams. Emphasise your cultural awareness and team-building capabilities.
