Head of Supplier Relationship Management

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

Head of Supplier Relationship Management

• Full-time
• Division: Finance Division

Suppliers are critical enablers of Etihad's growth, transformation, and operational resilience. As Head of Supplier Relationship Management, you will lead the design and execution of Etihad's enterprise-wide SRM strategy, transforming how the airline collaborates with its most strategic suppliers to create value, drive innovation, and protect business performance.

This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for establishing a business-led, procurement-enabled SRM model, creating an SRM Centre of Excellence, and leading a large-scale transformation programme across approximately $8bn of annual spend and a multi-billion-dollar capital investment pipeline. You will drive supplier governance at executive level, embed robust performance and risk management frameworks, and leverage digital, data, and AI capabilities to shape the future of supplier partnerships across the group.

Key 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 and minimise value leakage.
• 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.

About You

You are a senior procurement, supplier management, or transformation leader with a proven track record of delivering enterprise-wide change in complex global organisations. You bring deep expertise in Supplier Relationship Management, executive stakeholder engagement, digital enablement, and value creation through strategic supplier partnerships.

You have significant experience within an airline, aviation, aerospace, airport, MRO, OEM, aviation services provider, or broader aviation ecosystem environment, with a strong understanding of the strategic supplier landscape, operational dependencies, regulatory requirements, and complexities of a global aviation network. You have successfully led large-scale transformation programmes, established governance and performance frameworks, and influenced senior stakeholders to deliver measurable commercial and operational value.

• At least 10 years of relevant experience, with at least 3 years in leadership roles, in the aviation industry
• Demonstrated ability to design and run enterprise-wide SRM, procurement or transformation programmes
• Master of Business Administration or related post-graduate qualification; certification in Lean Six Sigma or Programme and Project Offices (P3O) desirable
• Demonstrated ability to influence executive leadership (CXOs within Etihad and external organisations) and secure optimal outcomes in a complex, operational environment
• Strategic, analytical and commercially astute, with strong contract negotiation and financial management skills
• Experience embedding digital, data and AI into core procurement or SRM ways of working desirable
• Strong people leadership and relationship-management skills, able to influence at all levels to drive outcomes

Etihad Airways is more than the UAE’s national airline - we’re shaping the future of global aviation. From our hub in Abu Dhabi, we connect people across continents and cultures, while driving our “Journey 2030” ambition to double our fleet, expand our network and grow our people for a new era of excellence. Join us and become part of a vision where the world is your workplace and extraordinary experiences take flight.