SUBCONTRACTS OFFICER – C4 SYSTEMS, BAE SYSTEMS AUSTRALIA, 25

This rising young star loves procurement so much she’s trying to get more graduates into the profession. Marissa Brown joined the regional committee of CIPSA SA/NT branch in February 2007 as its “future talent forum co-ordinator”, and has also delivered lectures for final year commerce students at the University of Adelaide.

Brown, who was recently named CIPS Australia’s young procurement professional of the year, has been in the profession for just four years, all at BAE, but in that time she has achieved improvements for procurement and the overall business. These include successfully presenting a business case to the management board for a graduate conference, which is now an annual event. She also co-developed the BAE Systems procurement “Developing You Reach Program”, which offers a clear career path and core purchasing training.

In her current role Brown is responsible for a spend of about $30 million (£16.6 million).