Principal Supplier Development Lead

Job Title:Principal Supplier Development Lead

Location: Scotstoun, Glasgow

Salary: £55,000 + executive benefits

Referral: £1,000

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.

Job Description:

As a Principal Supplier Development Lead, you will support the delivery of a supplier development programme across the Global Combat Ships (GCS) supply chain, working closely with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Programme and Procurement teams to improve supplier capability, resilience, readiness and performance. The role focuses on developing strong supplier relationships, conducting supplier assessments, managing risks, implementing intervention and continuous improvement plans, and driving operational excellence to enhance supply chain performance, reduce programme delivery risks, and support safe, reliable and sustainable business outcomes.

Core Duties:

• Assess supplier capability, capacity and operational readiness, identifying risks and implementing targeted improvement plans to strengthen resilience and ensure delivery commitments are met.
• Lead supplier development, performance improvement and continuous improvement initiatives, driving measurable gains in quality, cost, delivery and overall supplier effectiveness.
• Conduct supplier audits, reviews and root cause investigations, ensuring robust corrective and preventive actions are implemented and sustained.
• Monitor supplier performance, compliance and risk indicators, coordinating mitigation and recovery activities to minimise programme disruption and support business objectives.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Procurement stakeholders to drive supplier performance, enhance operational excellence, maintain effective reporting and support long-term supply chain capability and growth.

Essential Skills:

• Proven experience managing supplier performance, development and risk within complex manufacturing, engineering or supply chain environments.
• Strong knowledge of supplier quality and assurance standards, including ISO 9001, AS9100, APQP and related quality management frameworks.
• Experience conducting supplier audits, capability assessments and capacity reviews to identify risks and drive sustainable performance improvements.
• Expertise in Lean, Six Sigma and continuous improvement methodologies, with the ability to lead improvement initiatives and implement best practice.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills, with experience building effective relationships across suppliers, procurement, engineering, quality and operational teams.

The Global Combat Ships Team:

The Global Combat Ships team offers the opportunity to play a key role in strengthening and improving a complex, mission-critical supply chain. Working within a collaborative and highly skilled environment, you will partner with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Procurement and Programme teams to ensure suppliers have the capability, resilience and readiness required to support successful programme delivery. The team acts as the bridge between operational performance and strategic improvement, using data, industry best practice and strong stakeholder relationships to identify risks, solve challenges and drive sustainable improvements across the supply base.

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.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people, who are BAE Systems employees and have been in their current role for 12 months or longer.

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: 19th November 2026