Senior Category Buyer in Caddington

The role of a Senior Category Buyer at Leonardo offers a wide variety of experiences and is both exciting and challenging in its nature. This role represents a unique opportunity for a high‑calibre candidate to thrive and grow within the Combat Air sector. This role involves actively working in a matrix organisation structure supporting a variety of complex assignments for Production in the Combat Air sector. The focus is the management of category commitments for requirements that require both tactical and strategic thinking. Demand associated with Production continues to grow within the Combat Air Sector and requires the appointed individual to translate complex, early concept customer requirements and ensure that these are flowed down to Suppliers for back-to-back campaigns and project execution. The ability to build, foster and create value with Suppliers is essential. This role requires the ability to manage internal and external relationships and experience of working cross-functionally in a matrix organisation to influence a breadth of business decisions throughout the Life Cycle Management (LCM) framework. The individual will have strong and effective communication skills, with the ability to develop and nurture internal customer relationships, promote customer intimacy and teamwork.

What you’ll bring:

• Lead the delivery of Procurement activities and other Procurement related services which may be required by the business.
• Lead relationships with Leonardo suppliers, holding reviews, ensuring performance management, risks and impacts.
• Translate customer / project requirements into commercial documents, particularly pertaining to production of bespoke complex electro/mechanical systems and sub-systems.
• Understand mechanisms of mitigating risk associated with entering into commercial agreements.
• Develop and negotiate robust contracts for tangible deliverables.
• Work in collaboration with cross functional stakeholders to ensure the flowdown of appropriate terms and conditions from customer contracts to enable compliance with contractual obligations and mitigate commercial / contractual risks.
• Promote customer intimacy in both internal and external relationships.
• Be the focal point for Suppliers regarding contract and supply base matters.
• Drive and lead strategies to influence business decisions throughout the project life cycle.
• Identify solutions for complex areas of potential risk / opportunity.
• Promote a culture of best practice and sharing of knowledge within the function and across the wider business.
• Construct and lead the contracts and supply chain management Life Cycle Management (LCM) deliverables.
• Work with stakeholders, at all levels, in order to understand customer requirements and critical success factors.
• Manage Export Compliance, restrictions and third party rights for all procured items and services.

What you really need:

• Requires technical training to degree standard, professional qualification and/or significant domain experience (studying towards or achievement of MCIPS is preferred).
• Demonstrated collaboration, communication, planning, problem solving, influencing, decision making and continuous improvement skills.
• 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.
• Relationship building skills with cross-functional colleagues, customers and suppliers.

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

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).

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.
• 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 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!