Ground Handling & Airport Services Procurement Lead

Air Arabia; Sharjah; On-site; AED 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Arabia is seeking a senior procurement professional to lead ground handling and airport services sourcing. You will drive strategy, negotiations, supplier partnerships, and contract governance across network hubs in alignment with SGHA standards.

Responsibilities include end-to-end sourcing, KPI-driven supplier management, and collaboration with stakeholders to secure incentives and optimize costs while ensuring operational continuity and service quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, engineering, commerce, or related field; MBA preferred.
• Strong understanding of IATA SGHA, ICAO charging principles, and Airport Economic Regulations.
• Familiar with ground operations and airport environment.
• Experience with Oracle Fusion, eSourcing, or CLM tools.
• Proficient in MS Office.
• Fluent in English; Arabic preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement group-wide ground handling category strategies, leading strategic sourcing initiatives, supplier consolidation, and preferred supplier partnerships to support network expansion, operational requirements, service excellence, and cost efficiencies.
• Conduct market intelligence, benchmarking, spend analysis, and supplier evaluations to identify sourcing opportunities and support informed procurement decisions.
• Support new station launches and operational readiness through supplier selection, contract establishment, and ground handling service implementation.
• Develop and evaluate business cases in collaboration with Ground Operations for self-handling opportunities at strategic hubs, enhancing operational control, service quality, and cost efficiency.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing and tendering activities, including RFI, RFQ, and RFP processes through Oracle Fusion sourcing platforms, ensuring transparent, competitive, and compliant procurement practices.
• Develop and standardize commercial and contractual frameworks to support effective supplier engagement, risk mitigation, and governance.
• Drive cost optimization, value improvement, and operational efficiency initiatives through benchmarking, spend analysis, and commercial negotiations, delivering measurable savings while supporting budgeting, forecasting, and the Group's low-cost carrier strategy.
• Lead the negotiation and execution of Ground Handling Agreements (GHA) in accordance with IATA SGHA standards, establishing optimal commercial models, including activity-based pricing, fixed-rate structures, and other cost-effective contracting mechanisms.
• Ensure comprehensive contractual coverage encompassing performance and productivity measures, SLAs/KPIs, liability and indemnity provisions, service scope, and operational requirements to safeguard business interests and service delivery standards.
• Negotiate aeronautical fees with airport authorities, including landing charges, navigation fees, passenger facility charges, and overflight fees, to achieve optimal cost structures across all operating stations.
• Partner with Network Planning, Commercial teams, airports, tourism boards, and other stakeholders to negotiate and secure airport incentives, route development funds, marketing support, fee concessions, and other commercial subsidies that enhance route viability and profitability.
• Negotiate and manage airport space lease and rental agreements, including operational, commercial, and office facilities, while overseeing the full contract lifecycle from award and implementation through renewals, amendments, and termination to ensure cost effectiveness, operational suitability, and contractual compliance.
• Establish and monitor supplier KPIs and SLAs, conduct regular performance and business reviews, and drive supplier accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives while managing escalations and dispute resolution to ensure operational reliability and contractual compliance.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate operational, commercial, and contractual risks while ensuring compliance with procurement policies, aviation regulations, contractual obligations, and responsible sourcing and sustainability requirements.
• Partner closely with Airport Operations, Finance, Legal, Network Planning, and other key stakeholders to provide commercial and procurement support for route launches, operational changes, and strategic business initiatives, ensuring alignment between operational requirements and commercial objectives.
• Drive the adoption of eSourcing and Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) systems while standardizing procurement templates, processes, and best practices to enhance operational efficiency, governance, and reporting transparency.

Skills

Procurement strategy

Strategic sourcing

Contract negotiations

Supplier management

Oracle Fusion

eSourcing tools

SLA/KPI management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

MBA preferred

IATA SGHA knowledge

Tools

Oracle Fusion

eSourcing tools

CLM tools

Job description

Air Arabia is seeking a senior procurement professional to lead ground handling and airport services sourcing. You will drive strategy, negotiations, supplier partnerships, and contract governance across network hubs in alignment with SGHA standards.

Responsibilities include end-to-end sourcing, KPI-driven supplier management, and collaboration with stakeholders to secure incentives and optimize costs while ensuring operational continuity and service quality.