At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category strategies and manage supplier relationships to drive value and innovation.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team shaping the future of technology.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Extensive procurement experience and strong presentation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 59000 - 70000 £ per year.
Job
Description: Salary: £59,000 - £70,000 Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands.
The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market.
Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.
Your Impact We have an excellent opportunity for a Category Lead to join the optics Strategic Category Management Organisation within the Procurement & Commercial Function of the Electronics Division.
You will report to the UK Category Procurement Manager for Optics and Mechanical.
What you will do
- Develop and implement category strategies aligned to business objectives, taking ownership of category performance and proactively identifying opportunities for cost, value, and risk improvement.
- Help build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across projects, sites, and functions, acting as a trusted adviser and ensuring procurement priorities support operational needs.
- Serve as the lead commercial contact for strategic suppliers, managing supplier relationships and collaboration initiatives to drive continuous improvement and value creation.
- Facilitate and chair regular stakeholder meetings, coordinating cross-functional engagement and ensuring alignment on category plans, priorities, and outcomes.
- Analyse, manage, and present procurement and category data to identify trends, generate insights, and support evidence-based decision making, translating complex information to inform business decisions.
- Be responsible for developing the optics category strategy which will have an impact on a number of different sites across the UK.
- Be accountable for the timely execution of contracts within your category (or sub-categories) across the UK.
- Represent your category team across a number of projects to ensure that both production and new product development requirements are satisfied.
- Act as the lead for relationships with strategic suppliers who may serve multiple sites including responsibility for strategic business reviews.
- Work with the procurement capability and Supply Chain Development teams to ensure that we have a supply base which can meet the evolving needs of the business.
- Identify cost savings opportunities using various methods which you can confidently present to senior business leaders.
- Continual evaluation of the category strategy throughout the various product life-cycles, ensuring they are relevant and tangible across the relevant projects.
- Oversee complex price analysis by members of the team and benchmarking activities prior to leading negotiations.
- Ensure compliance with internal governance and customer flowdown requirements, supporting internal and external audits as required.
- Ensure that SAP is aligned to reflect the agreements that your team will implement.
What you’ll bring
- Extensive strategic Procurement experience, preferably including category management
- Product knowledge of optics
- Strong presentation skills
- Demonstrable working knowledge and understanding of Contract Terms & Conditions
- Experience in managing diverse stakeholders in a corporate environment
- A relevant business/ engineering degree and/or working experience in a similar role
- Significant experience in managing complex tenders
- Experience working in a highly regulated business environment
- Proficient level of MS Office based IT skills
- CIPS qualification preferred
- SAP user experience
- 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 Linked In 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.
Primary Location: GB - Edinburgh
Additional Locations: GB - Basildon, GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300, GB - Newcastle, GB - Southampton
Hybrid
Working: Hybrid International, multicultural, innovative, technological: this is Leonardo.
The company’s passionate and talented team is strongly influenced by STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) expertise, with a diverse range of experience that enables colleagues to share knowledge and know-how across the generations.
Leonardo always wants to expand its talent pool, here you can find the right opportunity for you!
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Category Lead employer: Leonardo UK Ltd
Leonardo UK Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Basildon where innovation meets collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will benefit from generous leave, flexible benefits, and opportunities to advance your career while working on cutting-edge defence technologies that make a real impact globally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Lead
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Leonardo UK Ltd.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Leonardo UK Ltd:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Leonardo UK Ltd. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Leonardo UK Ltd.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo UK Ltd
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Leonardo UK Ltd!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Leonardo UK Ltd. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Leonardo UK Ltd's culture.
