Alison Whittaker – Procurement

You can have two careers in one at BAE Systems – as Alison Whittaker has discovered.

"Being in such a large and diverse company gives you opportunities you would not get elsewhere. I started out in HR, and spent ten years there, but six years ago moved into Procurement. Now I am Procurement Manager on Typhoon Support based at Warton, but previously worked at Samlesbury site, near Preston and on the Hawk programme.

More than anything, I enjoy the difference you can make in Procurement, it’s one of the few jobs where you can see a real difference to the bottom line. We recently had an instance where the team saved £7.5 million, and that gives a real feeling of satisfaction.

I am part of Typhoon Procurement, which is a team of about 130 people, but I have a team of 12 working for me."

Professional qualifications

"When I joined BAE Systems I didn’t have a degree, but the company sponsored me and since joining Procurement I have also gained professional qualifications. There are lots of opportunities for personal development.

BAE Systems is still a male dominated environment – I sometimes end up as the only woman at a meeting – but it is changing, and there are lots of advantages. I’m a mum, and the maternity benefits and opportunities for flexible working hours are good; better than you would find in most other companies.

I love the diversity the company offers. You can move between sectors – air, sea and land – but still be part of BAE Systems, and no two days are the same."