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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage Facilities Management categories and deliver value for Leonardo UK.
- Company: Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security with over 53,000 employees worldwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, mental health support, and access to 4,000+ online courses.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team at a pivotal moment in category management and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Indirect Procurement experience and Category Management skills are essential; degree and CIPS are desirable.
- Other info: Role requires monthly travel to various UK sites; security clearance is mandatory.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Description
Location: Southampton, England, United Kingdom
We have an exciting new role working within our UK Indirect Procurement function. This role will be supporting the delivery of vital services in strategically important areas of the business. This role will ensure we acquire cost-effective, high-quality solutions that support our technology strategy while maintaining strong vendor relationships and compliance with procurement policies.
Your Impact
This role will ensure we acquire cost-effective, high-quality solutions that support our technology strategy while maintaining strong vendor relationships and compliance with procurement policies.
What You Will Do as Category Manager
You will be managing the delivery of complex strategic Services Procurement projects, including IT, with particular focus on Strategic Sourcing and contract negotiations to deliver optimum cost and value for Leonardo.
You will be responsible for managing significant (£Ms per annum) strategic spend. Reporting to the Senior Procurement Manager, actively managing delivery of Indirect Services procurement projects.
What You\’ll Bring
- IT / Indirect Services strategic sourcing, planning and execution
- IT / Indirect Services contract drafting, negotiations and management
- Excellent Stakeholder Management
- IT / Indirect Services Category Management experience
- Highly motivated, proactive, self-starter
- Procurement project management experience
- Excellent analytical skills
It would be nice if you had
- Security clearance
- Educated to degree level
- CIPS qualified
- Experience of cross site, cross functional collaborative working
- Ability to define and implement category strategies
- Excel, Word and PowerPoint skills
- Demonstrable change management capability
- Demonstrable change management capability
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.
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.
Be part of something bigger – apply now!
Primary Location
GB – Edinburgh
Additional Locations
GB – Basildon, GB – Luton – Cap. Green 300, GB – Southampton
Contract Type
Permanent
Hybrid Working
Hybrid
Seniority level
- Mid-Senior level
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Marketing and Sales
Industries
- Defense and Space Manufacturing, Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing, and Computer and Network Security
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Leonardo by 2x
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Category Manager employer: Leonardo
Contact Detail:
Leonardo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in Facilities Management and procurement. Understanding current market dynamics will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement and facilities management sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into the role and company culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your experience in category management and strategic sourcing. Be ready to explain how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and delivered value in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Leonardo's values and recent projects, especially in the UK Indirect Procurement function. Tailoring your conversation to align with their mission and demonstrating your enthusiasm for their work can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your indirect procurement and category management experience. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in FM services, strategic sourcing, and contract negotiations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that connects your background to the role. Emphasise your experience with managing suppliers and stakeholders, and how you can contribute to the Facilities Management category at Leonardo.
Showcase Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your project management experience and any qualifications like CIPS. Mention your ability to implement category strategies and manage change effectively.
Highlight Flexibility and Travel Readiness: Since the role requires travel to various sites, mention your willingness and ability to travel as needed. This shows your commitment and readiness to support the team across different locations.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo
✨Understand the Category Management Lifecycle
Familiarise yourself with the full Category Management lifecycle, as this role requires managing various aspects from strategy development to supplier management. Be prepared to discuss your experience in each phase and how you can contribute to optimising the Facilities Management category.
✨Showcase Your Procurement Experience
Highlight your indirect procurement and category management experience during the interview. Be ready to provide specific examples of successful strategic sourcing, contract negotiations, and supplier management that demonstrate your capability in handling an annual spend of £14M.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management Skills
Since stakeholder management is crucial for this role, prepare to discuss how you've effectively collaborated with cross-functional teams in the past. Share examples of how you’ve navigated differing priorities and built strong relationships to achieve common goals.
✨Prepare for Travel Requirements
As the role involves monthly travel to various UK sites, express your willingness and ability to travel. Discuss any previous experiences where travel was a part of your job and how you managed it alongside your responsibilities.
