Technical Contracts Lead - BFE

Etihad Airways; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Etihad Airways seeks a Technical Contracts Lead within Technical Procurement to steer end-to-end sourcing and contracting for high-value BFE products, including seats, IFE, lavs, galleys and more, with governance and stakeholder alignment.

Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers, optimise total cost of ownership, and mentor the team while coordinating with CAMO, Aircraft Programs, Legal and Finance to secure best outcomes for the airline.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years in procurement, category management or contracting roles.
• Aerospace, Aviation Technical background strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to drive multiple, strategic, high-value sourcing & contract engagements.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, able to translate complex data and requirements into clear strategies.
• Strong senior-stakeholder and executive influencing skills, able to engage OEM and MRO leadership and internal leadership teams.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end sourcing and contracting value streams for Etihad's portfolio of BFE products.
• Develop contract negotiation strategy and lead negotiations with suppliers.
• Prepare project plans and report status updates for key stakeholders.
• Act as trusted advisor to stakeholders in Technical, Product & Hospitality departments.
• Identify and implement process improvements leveraging digital tools and AI.

Skills

Procurement

Contract negotiations

Stakeholder management

Executive influencing

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelors in Business Administration, Engineering or related

Job description

The Technical Contracts Lead - BFE is a leadership role within Technical Procurement, and you will be responsible for overall technical sourcing, developing contract negotiation strategies, and ultimately contract execution. The incumbent will manage a strategic portfolio with total spend value exceeding $2bn over 5 years and will be a key enabler to Etihad's growth. The scope and breadth of the role spans procurement and contracting including of (but not limited to) First Class & Business Class seats, Economy Class seats, In-Flight Entertainment, In-Flight Connectivity, Lavs, Galleys, and other BFE products. You will ensure fit for purpose processes are established and within governance, manage the day-to-day sourcing, contracting and stakeholder management throughout the process. You will engage with senior leaders across Etihad including management, executives and C-suite. The role is accountable for ensuring internal alignment with Aircraft Programs, CAMO, Product & Hospitality, Legal, Finance and other stakeholders and lead commercial negotiations with suppliers to ensure the best outcome for Etihad Airways; you will have a key role in optimising Etihad's Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

Accountabilities

• Own the end-to-end sourcing and contracting value streams ensuring for Etihad's portfolio of BFE products with a focus on the complex, strategic, high-value projects.
• Ensure fit for purpose sourcing strategies are established, execute high-value RFPs and sourcing projects; work closely with end user(s) and stakeholders to ensure internal processes and approvals are followed including DoA, Investment Committee
• Develop contract negotiation strategy and own negotiations on contractual terms and conditions with suppliers whilst ensuring alignment with Etihad stakeholders, including at leadership and executive levels, to deliver optimal outcome for Etihad Airways. Prepare project plans and report on status updates for key stakeholders
• Has ownership for preparing contract summaries, schedules and other outputs as required to handover the contract to end-users.
• Be a trusted advisor and Procurement Business Partner to stakeholders in Technical, Product & Hospitality departments and others as required
• Identify and implement process improvement opportunities leveraging digital tools & solutions, including leveraging AI, Machine Learning, RPA; ultimately driving efficiencies and effectiveness in execution
• Lead other projects/initiatives as directed by line manager and/or Head of Department
• Coach and mentor staff across the department on contract and sourcing management
• With safety as our number one priority, ensure all relevant airworthiness regulations, policies and procedures are followed to support continuing airworthiness (CAMO function) of the airline.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10years in procurement, category management or contracting roles
• Aerospace, Aviation Technical background strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to drive multiple, strategic, high-value sourcing & contract engagements
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, able to translate complex data and requirements into clear strategies
• Strong senior-stakeholder and executive influencing skills, able to engage OEM and MRO leadership and internal leadership teams
• Bachelors in Business Administration, Engineering or related qualifications

Additional Information

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.