Category Lead – Software in Preston

Location: Preston. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements - please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

As a Software Category Lead, you will lead in managing one of our software categories with a focus on the procurement lifecycle and category management of a range of products, projects and services across a number of business units. As the subject matter expert you will represent IPS, meeting with other business units and functional areas supporting in strategy creation and implementation/deployment to meet the operational needs of the business. This is an exciting opportunity to work with the breadth of Indirect Procurement across multiple categories and sectors.

• Handle procurement-related work in ServiceNow, including reviewing, prioritising and completing software, hardware and licensing tickets in a timely and accurate way.
• Manage day to day relationships with key software and hardware suppliers, ensuring proactive communication, clear expectations and consistent performance.
• Support the delivery of the Software & Hardware category strategy, making sure plans align with business and technology needs.
• Lead negotiations and renewals for software licensing and hardware agreements, securing strong commercial outcomes and ensuring compliance.
• Manage contracts throughout their lifecycle, including reviewing terms, tracking performance, handling changes and planning renewals.
• Work closely with various BAE Business Groups to understand requirements, support planning and provide category insights.
• Resolve issues across the software and hardware categories, such as licensing questions, supply delays, contract queries and vendor escalations.

• Experience of working with Microsoft, both directly and through a reseller.
• Experience procuring IT infrastructure such as servers, storage, networking equipment, end-user devices or data centre hardware.
• Strong experience in contract negotiations.
• Experience using procurement or ticketing systems.
• Knowledge of the wider technology and software market.
• Experience working with major infrastructure vendors (e.g., Dell, HP, Lenovo, Cisco, VMware).
• Understanding of cloud infrastructure commercial models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS).
• Knowledge of IT security requirements in procurement (e.g., accreditations, secure configuration).
• MCIPS qualification or working towards it.

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts - you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 17th February 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.