Job Title: Category Lead - CAPEX

Location: Preston, Various UK sites - Hybrid

This is a national field-based / home-based role with no requirement for daily office attendance. Success is driven by proactive engagement with project stakeholders across the UK, with travel ranging from Scotland to the South Coast depending on project needs.

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

Salary: Up to £56,000 per annum depending on skills and experience

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

The CAPEX Category Leader is responsible for the strategic and operational procurement of capital expenditure, supporting major investment projects across the business. This role plays a critical part in ensuring that CAPEX projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with technical, commercial, and governance requirements.

Working closely with project teams including; engineering, operations, & finance the CAPEX Category Leader leads end-to-end sourcing activities for high-value and complex equipment, services, and turnkey solutions. The role focuses on value creation through effective supplier selection, robust contract negotiation, risk management, and strong supplier relationship management

Core duties:

• You will engage early with key stakeholders in project teams to influence on procurement process and governance
• You will own the sourcing lifecycle once projects reach procurement stage: tendering, negotiation, contracting, governance and delivery follow-through
• You will partner closely with engineering and project stakeholders nationally, maintaining visible engagement and ensuring procurement governance remains embedded
• You will apply structured sourcing discipline and robust commercial thinking, including risk management, payment structures, contract controls and total cost of ownership evaluation
• You will embed practical tools and capability within the business (e.g., contract & specification templates, & scoring / evaluation matrix) to reduce risk
• You will be responsible for development and ownership of category strategy: leveraging spend and relationships across the business

Essential Skills:

• You will have proven capability in CAPEX procurement, with a track record of delivering sourcing events and negotiating robust commercial agreements across complex capital programmes
• You will be experienced in selecting and operating effective contracting strategies, including EPC, turnkey, and multi-lot delivery models within highly governed environments
• You will have extensive stakeholder management capability - able to engage, influence, and build alignment across multidisciplinary teams and senior leadership
• You will have Industry experience within manufacturing, utilities, chemicals, aerospace, automotive, nuclear, or other complex multi-site industrial environments is advantageous. Candidates from transferable CAPEX backgrounds will also be considered where governance and contracting experience is well-developed

The Procurement Team:

You will be joining an expanding team in which you can influence, shape and deliver the category plan, giving the opportunity to make this role your own In a role where no two days are the same, there is also potential for expansion, growth, and development within this role & team.

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: 1st June 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

#LI-NP1

#LI-Hybrid