Chief SRM & Enterprise Supplier Partnerships

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Etihad Airways is seeking a senior leader to head Supplier Relationship Management, shaping an enterprise-wide SRM strategy and a Centre of Excellence. You will drive governance, segmentation, risk, and performance while embedding digital, data and AI capabilities.

You will lead stakeholders across the airline and its suppliers, delivering measurable value and value leakage reduction while guiding a large-scale transformation across an $8bn spend and multi-billion-dollar capital pipeline.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of relevant experience, with at least 3 years in leadership roles, in the aviation industry.
• Proven ability to design and run enterprise-wide SRM, procurement or transformation programmes.
• Strong contract negotiation and financial management skills; ability to influence CXOs.
• Experience embedding digital, data and AI into core procurement or SRM ways of working.

Responsibilities

• Lead Etihad's enterprise-wide SRM transformation programme and SRM Centre of Excellence.
• Design and implement a business-led, procurement-enabled SRM framework that supports the airline's growth strategy.
• Establish supplier segmentation, performance, risk, and governance frameworks that maximise value.
• Lead executive-level engagement and strategic reviews with critical suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Drive supplier performance through clear KPIs, governance, and disciplined review cadences.
• Own the SRM digital ecosystem, including Supplier 360, data analytics, and AI-enabled insights.
• Build organisational capability and lead a high-performing team to embed world-class SRM practices across the business.

Skills

SRM leadership

Executive engagement

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Financial management

Digital & AI in procurement

People leadership

Data analytics

Aviation industry expertise

Education

MBA or related postgraduate

Lean Six Sigma or P3O certification desirable

Job description

Etihad Airways is seeking a senior leader to head Supplier Relationship Management, shaping an enterprise-wide SRM strategy and a Centre of Excellence. You will drive governance, segmentation, risk, and performance while embedding digital, data and AI capabilities.

You will lead stakeholders across the airline and its suppliers, delivering measurable value and value leakage reduction while guiding a large-scale transformation across an $8bn spend and multi-billion-dollar capital pipeline.