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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead supply chain strategies and manage high-value contracts in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join BAE Systems Submarines, a leader in defence and engineering innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact while collaborating with top-tier professionals in the industry.
- Qualifications: Senior-level experience in supply chain or procurement, preferably in complex engineering.
- Other info: This is a 24-month contract role with a focus on strategic leadership.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 168000 £ per year.
Location: Barrow-in-Furness
Contract Type: 24-Month Contract (Inside IR35)
Working Hours: 37 hours per week (3 days onsite: Tuesday–Thursday)
Pay Rate: £74.26/hr Umbrella
Business Unit: BAE Systems Submarines
About the Role
We are recruiting a Supply Chain Lead to join BAE Systems Submarines in Barrow. This is a high-impact leadership role within the Strategic Cost Management function, responsible for driving end-to-end supply chain and subcontract strategy across multi-million-pound, high-value programmes. The successful candidate will operate at senior executive level, influencing internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers, commercial, legal, and technical leadership.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead development and execution of subcontract strategies aligned with programme objectives and value for money targets.
- Provide authoritative leadership and challenge on procurement governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
- Drive strategic supplier engagement and contracting excellence, from selection through to purchase order placement.
- Scrutinise and validate cost estimates (BoEs, EACs), leveraging cross-programme insights and lessons learned.
- Champion and embed a culture of cost transparency, accountability, and strategic value delivery across teams.
- Coach, mentor and upskill supply chain professionals; lead capability uplift across the function.
- Represent the function at senior governance boards, programme reviews, and executive-level engagements.
What We’re Looking For
Essential Skills & Experience:
- Senior-level leadership in supply chain, procurement, or commercial strategy, ideally within defence or complex engineering environments.
- In-depth knowledge of MoD procurement frameworks, Single Source Regulations (SSRs), and Qualified Subcontractor (QSC) requirements.
- Proven experience influencing C-suite stakeholders and negotiating high-value contracts.
- Strong commercial acumen and ability to manage end-to-end supplier performance and cost optimisation.
- Demonstrable capability in coaching, stakeholder engagement, and strategic influence.
Supply Chain Lead employer: Outsource UK
Contact Detail:
Outsource UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supply Chain Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the defence and engineering sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet people who work at BAE Systems or similar companies. Building these connections can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and challenges in supply chain management, particularly within the defence sector. Being knowledgeable about current issues will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've influenced senior stakeholders and managed high-value contracts in your previous roles. Tailoring your experiences to align with the responsibilities of the Supply Chain Lead position will showcase your suitability for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research BAE Systems' values and recent projects. Understanding their mission and how they operate will allow you to tailor your discussions and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
We think you need these skills to ace Supply Chain Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in supply chain management, procurement, and leadership roles. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to influence stakeholders and manage high-value contracts.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that addresses the key responsibilities of the Supply Chain Lead role. Emphasise your experience with MoD procurement frameworks and your success in driving strategic supplier engagement.
Showcase Leadership Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've coached and mentored team members in previous roles. Highlight any initiatives you've led that improved supply chain performance or cost optimisation.
Use Industry Language: Incorporate terminology relevant to the defence and engineering sectors, such as 'procurement governance', 'risk management', and 'cost transparency'. This will demonstrate your familiarity with the industry and its challenges.
How to prepare for a job interview at Outsource UK
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before the interview, make sure you have a deep understanding of the Supply Chain Lead role. Familiarise yourself with BAE Systems' projects and how they align with your experience in supply chain management, especially in defence or complex engineering environments.
✨Prepare for Leadership Questions
As this is a senior-level position, expect questions about your leadership style and experiences. Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've successfully led teams, influenced stakeholders, and driven strategic initiatives in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Highlight your experience with procurement governance, risk management, and contract negotiations. Prepare to discuss how you've optimised supplier performance and delivered value for money in past projects, as these are crucial aspects of the role.
✨Demonstrate Coaching and Mentoring Skills
Since the role involves coaching and upskilling supply chain professionals, be prepared to share your approach to mentoring others. Discuss any relevant experiences where you've developed talent within your team or organisation.
