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Category Director - Maintenance, Repair, & Operations (MRO)/Consumables

BAE Systems · Falls Church, VA

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Level
Director+
Team
Reliability
Base pay
$138k–$235k
Degree
Required
Experience asked
10+ years
Industry
Aerospace & defense
Posted
12 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A director-level reliability role at BAE Systems (aerospace & defense) in Falls Church, VA.

They ask for
10+ years · degree required
Tools it names
Casting
Base pay
$138k–$235k
Day to day
some off-shift / weekend coverage

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Reliability Engineer roles in the US: typical posted base $104k–$140k. This one lists $138k–$235k.

Median of the low and high ends of 254 live postings that list pay, out of 686 reliability engineer openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Virginia plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 9 other live reliability postings in Virginia.

Experience asked
More than usual (10+ vs 8+)

Similar roles usually ask 8+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • Root cause 40%
  • ✓ Casting 30%
  • TPM 30%
  • Tooling 30%
  • Lean 20%
  • Team leadership 20%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

It asks for 10+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverage

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

  1. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Reliability team at BAE Systems

    We found 5 people at this company and state: 5 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.

    Write to David → (free)
  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 4

    Apply with someone vouching for you

    If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.

  5. 5

    Bring proof to the interview

    One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: BAE Systems in Falls Church

No other open roles at this site right now · 5 people we found in reliability roles at BAE Systems.

Full description from BAE SystemsAs posted on their careers site.Show

Key Responsibilities

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

Education & Experience

  • ✓Degree: 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.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills 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.

Pay Information

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

About BAE Systems, Inc. BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.

Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration.

Show full description ↓

Job Description Role Summary

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.

Technical Skills

  • •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.

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