Leonardo logo
Sub Contract Manager
full-timeSouthampton, Basildon

Summary

Location

Southampton, Basildon

Type

full-time

Explore Jobs

About this role

Job Description:

Your impact:

Step into a strategically focused Sub-Contract Manager role where you’ll help drive Leonardo’s corporate vision for Contract Management, working at the heart of a dynamic matrix organisation and supporting complex, high-impact projects. Reporting to the Senior Procurement Manager, you’ll shape and implement integrated procurement strategies across the full business lifecycle—guiding teams through bid, delivery and support phases while managing high-value sub-contracts and ensuring risks are expertly controlled. This is a standout opportunity for a high-calibre professional to thrive, influence key business decisions, and build strong relationships across Integrated Project Teams. The role comes with hybrid working opportunities, inter site travel and scope for wider UK and occasional overseas travel. If you’re a confident communicator with the ability to navigate complex procurement challenges and collaborate cross-functionally, we’d love to hear from you.

What you will do:

  • Provide leadership and governance in business winning and programme delivery with minimum supervision
  • Accountable for procurement activities within the appropriate business area
  • Lead the delivery of sub-contract management activities and other procurement related services which may be required by the business
  • Support the procurement interface with Project Management to develop the procurement value proposition and approach, flow down requirements and negotiation strategy
  • Support the development of procurement models presenting an acceptable balance between contract performance, risk and reward
  • Focal point for project and suppliers regarding contract and supply base matters
  • Promote customer relationships in managing internal and external relationships
  • Work with other functions to bring solutions and innovation into play early in the lifecycle and be a focal point for project and suppliers regarding contract and supply base matters
  • Draft and prepare complex contract documentation using standard and non-standard formats
  • Negotiate complex arrangements, incl. planning and creating negotiation strategies, agreements, resolving any complex issues and impasses
  • Ensure that the team is managing risks, liabilities and commitments of contractual agreements in the supply chain
  • Provide specialist knowledge of domain specific contract forms and terms, together with industry norms and legal parameters, for contract drafting and negotiation and for safeguarding the interests of the company
  • Problem solving across many areas of supply chain issues such as Trade Compliance, Dependency Management etc.
  • Promotes a culture of best practice and sharing of knowledge within the function and across the wider business

What you’ll bring

The candidate is required to demonstrate a high level of knowledge and in depth understanding of the application of procurement competencies to underpin the responsibilities of the role. Specific to the nature of this role the candidate will be required to evidence;

  • Demonstrated ability to work in complex workshare programmes with shared performance commitment and risk management elements
  • Demonstrated collaboration, communication, planning, problem solving, decision making and continuous improvement skills
  • Ability to engage and influence cross-functional/cross site teams
  • Led and managed challenging engagements with suppliers where commercial terms and problem solving are key to successful outcome
  • Experience of more complex issues such as Conflict of Interest, Intellectual Property, Variation of Price, Trade Compliance etc.
  • Experience of negotiating contractual terms and measures that protect the company interests but also deliver key capability and transparency for the customer and user community
  • A good working knowledge and understanding of Defence Industry procurement and ability to apply them with minimal supervision and direction
  • Relationship building skills with cross-functional colleagues, customers and suppliers
  • An ability to think ‘outside of the box’ offering solutions to enable the function to add value and innovation

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

  • Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
  • Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
  • Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
  • Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
  • Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
  • Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
  • Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
  • Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Be part of something bigger - apply now!

Primary Location:

GB - Basildon

Additional Locations:

GB - Southampton

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid

Other facts

Tech stack
Contract Management,Procurement Strategies,Risk Management,Negotiation,Problem Solving,Communication,Collaboration,Decision Making,Continuous Improvement,Relationship Building,Trade Compliance,Intellectual Property,Supply Chain Management,Customer Relationships,Innovation,Leadership

About Leonardo

Leonardo is a global security company that realises multi-domain technological capabilities in AD&S.

With over 60,000 employees worldwide, the company has a significant industrial presence in Italy, the UK, Poland, and the US. It also has a commercial presence in 150 countries through subsidiaries, joint ventures and investments. A key player in major international strategic programmes, it is a technological and industrial partner of governments, defence administrations, institutions and companies.

In 2024, Leonardo recorded consolidated revenues of €17.8 bn, new orders for €20.9 bn and invested €2.5 bn in R&D. Innovation, continuous research, digitalisation and sustainability are the pillars of its business worldwide.

Stefano Pontecorvo has been the Chairman since 9 May 2023 and Roberto Cingolani has been the CEO and General Manager since 9 May 2023.

Follow Leonardo on social media:

➡️https://x.com/Leonardo_live
➡️https://www.instagram.com/leonardo_company/
➡️https://www.youtube.com/leonardocompany

Team size: 10,001+ employees
LinkedIn: Visit
Industry: Defense and Space Manufacturing
Founding Year: 1948

What you'll do

  • The Sub Contract Manager will lead and govern procurement activities, ensuring effective contract management and risk control. They will also collaborate with project management to develop procurement strategies and negotiate complex contracts.

Ready to join Leonardo?

Take the next step in your career journey

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Sub Contract Manager do at Leonardo?

As a Sub Contract Manager at Leonardo, you will: the Sub Contract Manager will lead and govern procurement activities, ensuring effective contract management and risk control. They will also collaborate with project management to develop procurement strategies and negotiate complex contracts..

Why join Leonardo as a Sub Contract Manager?

Leonardo is a leading Defense and Space Manufacturing company.

Is the Sub Contract Manager position at Leonardo remote?

The Sub Contract Manager position at Leonardo is based in Southampton, England, United Kingdom and Basildon, England, United Kingdom. Contact the company through Clera for specific work arrangement details.

How do I apply for the Sub Contract Manager position at Leonardo?

You can apply for the Sub Contract Manager position at Leonardo directly through Clera. Click the "Apply Now" button above to start your application. Clera's AI-powered platform will help match your profile with this opportunity and guide you through the application process. You can also learn more about Leonardo on their website.