[Hiring] Director I - Procurement @BAE Systems

Role Description

The Category Director for MRO and Consumables is responsible for the strategic leadership and end-to-end management of the MRO and Consumables spend category. This role focuses on optimizing the procurement of non-production materials, facility maintenance supplies, and operational consumables across multiple sites. The primary objective is to drive total cost of ownership (TCO) reductions, mitigate supply chain risks, and implement sustainable sourcing strategies while ensuring 100% operational continuity for critical defense infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Category Management
  • Strategy Development: Develop and execute a multi-year category strategy for MRO and Consumables that aligns with BAE Systems' operational goals and financial targets.
  • Market Intelligence: Conduct continuous market analysis to identify emerging trends, new technologies, and potential suppliers to ensure a competitive and resilient supply base.
  • Spend Analysis: Perform deep-dive analysis of spend data to identify leakage, consolidate suppliers, and leverage volume for better pricing.
• Sourcing & Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
  • Strategic Sourcing: Lead complex RFx processes, from requirement gathering and supplier selection to contract negotiation and award.
  • Contract Lifecycle Management: Oversee the negotiation of Master Service Agreements (MSAs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs), ensuring strict adherence to legal and corporate governance standards.
  • Performance Management: Establish KPIs and conduct quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with strategic partners to drive continuous improvement and innovation.
• Operational Excellence & Compliance
  • Risk Mitigation: Identify vulnerabilities in the MRO supply chain (e.g., single-source dependencies) and develop robust contingency plans.
  • Compliance: Ensure all procurement activities comply with ITAR, EAR, and other relevant defense industry regulations and BAE Systems internal policies.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Facilities Management, Engineering, and Finance to ensure the category strategy supports the actual operational needs of the plant floor.
• Financial Stewardship
  • Cost Reduction: Deliver annual cost-saving targets through negotiation, demand management, and process optimization.
  • Budgeting: Provide accurate spend forecasts and budget projections to senior leadership. Actively manage rebate programs including forecasting and financial reporting.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in procurement or strategic sourcing, with at least 5 years specifically managing MRO, Indirects, or Consumables in a heavy industrial or aerospace/defense environment.
• Certification: CPSM, MCIPS, or PMP certification is highly desirable.

Requirements

• ERP Proficiency: Working knowledge of Oracle, Deltek or similar enterprise procurement systems. Experience in the use of Coupa or Ivalua preferred.
• Analytical Tools: Proficiency in data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) for spend analysis.
• Contract Law: Strong understanding of commercial contract law and negotiation tactics.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Influence: Ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Change Management: Proven track record of implementing new procurement processes or digital transformation initiatives.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, capable of presenting complex strategies to executive leadership. Maintain complete records and traceability of projects as they are executed.

Preferred Attributes

• Experience managing "Vendor Managed Inventory" (VMI) or "Just-in-Time" (JIT) programs for MRO.
• Knowledge of sustainable sourcing and "Green Procurement" initiatives.
• Previous experience operating within a matrixed global organization.