Procurement Leader (Professional Services)

Job Title\: Procurement Leader (Professional Services)

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

Referral Bonus\: £1000

Grade\: GG10

You’re expected to have completed 12 months in role prior to applying for an advertised vacancy and you should also discuss the internal opportunity with your line manager to ensure sustained business continuity and to further support your career development.

We know there may be exceptional individual circumstances that impact this, in the first instance please discuss this with your line manager.

If you don’t feel you can talk to your line manager, you can contact your HRBP.

PLEASE NOTE\: Should you be invited for interview; you acknowledge that the Recruitment team will contact you and your line manager regarding your application for this opportunity.

Job Description\:

We are looking for a Procurement Leader to join our Professional Services Category Team. In this role, you will lead sourcing and supplier management activity across a diverse portfolio of Professional Services spend, working closely with senior stakeholders and strategic suppliers to deliver value, manage risk and support business objectives. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced procurement professional looking to broaden their category exposure, increase stakeholder influence and develop their leadership capability within a high-performing team.

This role plays a key part in supporting the delivery of category strategies and driving value through effective sourcing, supplier management, and stakeholder engagement across numerous Corporate Services sub-categories (i.e. Pensions & Investments, Legal Services, Group Insurance Risk, Marketing & Communications, Market Intelligence, Accreditation & Certification Services etc.). Working closely with the Procurement Manager, the position is responsible for analysing spend, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and delivering robust procurement activities in line with organisational policies and governance. The role also focuses on building strong supplier relationships, managing risk, and embedding sustainability and responsible sourcing practices, while ensuring high standards of health, safety, and compliance. Collaboration with internal stakeholders is essential to deliver efficient, fit-for-purpose solutions that maximise value and minimise risk. The successful candidate will identify and implement cost reduction, value creation and risk mitigation opportunities while supporting business objectives across the enterprise.

We welcome applications from high-performing procurement professionals looking to take the next step in their career. Development support and tailored progression plans will be available for successful candidates who demonstrate the potential to grow within the function.

Core duties\:

• Lead strategic sourcing and category initiatives across the Professional Services category in partnership with the Procurement Manager.
• Lead end to end procurement activity including tendering, negotiations, and contracting
• Develop and manage key strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders and leverage partnerships to identify collaborative opportunities for continuous improvement
• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching and support to Procurement Professionals and wider team members where required.
• Comply with all relevant policies, governance, and regulatory requirements
• Highlight supply chain risks and work with applicable stakeholders to mitigate the risks identified as far as reasonably practicable

Essential Skills\:

• Experience delivering end-to-end procurement activities within a complex organisation.
• Experience leading sourcing, tendering, negotiation and contracting activity.
• Strong commercial acumen with knowledge of supplier and contract management.
• Good project management, risk management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to influence and challenge stakeholders at varying levels of seniority.
• Understanding of external markets and the ability to leverage market intelligence to drive value.

The Professional Services Category Team\:

The Professional Services category team provides category management, strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management expertise in Corporate Services (through numerous sub-categories), Consultancy, Offload and Transport & Logistics; and are looking to add additional expertise in Professional Services to the team. The team’s enterprise-wide scope provides a unique vantage point on the entire business and the opportunity to work with senior stakeholders across the business to deliver changes with significant impact. The team culture is friendly and supportive, we prioritise personal development and continuous improvement as we strive to optimise the services we deliver and provide the maximum value to BAE Systems.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive\:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

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\: 15th September 2026