At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive cost-effective strategies and manage supplier relationships in a global aerospace company.
- Company: Join a safety-focused, innovative aerospace firm with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy work-life balance, mental health support, bonuses, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and long service awards.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by delivering savings and improving supplier performance.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in Maths & English, 3-5 years procurement experience, strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Overview
In this Category Lead role you will drive the lowest total cost of acquisition for your category while safeguarding quality, delivery, innovation and risk.
You will partner with internal stakeholders to shape category strategies and lead supplier relationship management.
You will implement long-term agreements to leverage group spend and boost contract compliance.
This position sits within a safety-focused, collaborative procurement environment at a global aerospace company.
You’ll have a meaningful impact by delivering savings, improving supplier performance, and supporting portfolio growth.
- Pay / Benefits
- work life balance
- mental health support
- performance related bonus
- career development opportunities
- long service awards
- enhanced holiday entitlement
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute sourcing strategies for large, complex projects with a focus on cost, service and quality
- Lead supplier relationships and manage performance across cost, service and quality
- Lead negotiations, RFQs and tenders for allocated projects
- Support and mentor Category Buyers in implementing category strategy
- Provide analytical market data and competitive insights for opportunities and pricing
- Collaborate with product streams and innovation teams for portfolio support and new product launches
- Deliver targeted savings and forecasted financial benefits, and design performance measures
- Produce supplier performance reports and manage stock/lead times with production
- Key requirements
- GCSEs including Maths & English; strong verbal and written communication
- 3–5 years procurement experience or equivalent in a customer-facing role
- Excellent vision and numeracy/literacy foundations
- Desirable: working towards CIPS qualification
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Influencing
- RFQ and tender management
- Supplier relationship management
- Cost analysis and savings delivery
Category Lead employer: Magellan Aerospace
Magellan Aerospace is an exceptional employer located in Llay, Wrexham, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises work-life balance and mental health. With a strong commitment to employee development, the company provides numerous career growth opportunities, enhanced holiday entitlements, and a business performance-related bonus, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the aerospace industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Lead
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Magellan Aerospace for a Category Lead. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Magellan Aerospace, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Magellan Aerospace, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Magellan Aerospace
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Magellan Aerospace.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Magellan Aerospace. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Magellan Aerospace love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
