Head of Material Efficiency Tools

IAG Transform UK; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension

Performance bonuses

Job summary

IAG Transform UK seeks a Head of Material Efficiency Tools to lead a new strategic capability focused on material efficiency, inventory performance and supply chain optimisation across a leading airline group. This build-and-transform role sits at the intersection of Supply Chain, Inventory Management, Procurement, Logistics and Digital Transformation.

The successful candidate will shape the strategy, define the roadmap and collaborate with the AI Lab and technology teams to deliver measurable

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Logistics or related discipline.
• Extensive experience across Supply Chain, Inventory Management, Material Planning, Procurement, Logistics or Operations.
• Proven experience leading transformation, optimisation, digitalisation or continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Define and develop the Group's Material Efficiency and Supply Chain Transformation roadmap.
• Assess existing inventory, planning, procurement and logistics processes; identify opportunities for optimisation.
• Define and prioritise use cases for inventory optimisation, demand forecasting and procurement efficiency.
• Collaborate with AI Lab, data scientists and technology teams to translate requirements into digital/AI solutions.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives across Supply Chain, Maintenance and Digital/Technology teams.

Skills

Transformation leadership

Supply chain expertise

Inventory planning

Lean/Operational excellence

Digital/AI experience

Strategic thinking

Education

Engineering or related degree

Tools

ERP systems

Data analytics tools

Job description

About Us

We are part of International Airlines Group (IAG), one of the world’s leading airline groups and owner of some of the biggest brands in the sky. IAG Transform provides creative and innovative solutions to drive sustainable transformation by delivering procurement and airline services, as well as group-wide systems across IAG. Each operating company benefits from the Transform centralised model, driving efficiencies, automation, and economies of scale.

Purpose of the role

We are seeking a Head of Material Efficiency Tools to lead the development of a new strategic capability focused on material efficiency, supply chain optimisation and inventory performance across a leading airline group. This is a build-and-transform role that sits at the intersection of Supply Chain, Inventory Management, Procurement, Logistics, Maintenance and Digital Transformation. The successful candidate will act as a Subject Matter Expert and strategic leader, helping define material efficiency, assessing current inventory, planning, procurement and logistics processes, identifying opportunities for improvement, and shaping the digital tools and solutions required to deliver measurable business impact. Working closely with operational experts, data scientists, the AI Lab and technology teams, the successful candidate will translate business challenges into practical use cases and ensure that new tools and solutions are aligned with operational realities. The area is at an early stage of development, providing the successful candidate with the opportunity to shape the strategy, define the roadmap and build a new capability from the ground up.

Key focus areas

• Inventory management and optimisation
• Stock dimensioning and inventory planning
• Spare parts planning
• Demand planning and forecasting
• Procurement and purchasing efficiency
• Logistics and material flows
• Supply chain process optimisation
• Supplier performance
• Lean and operational efficiency
• Digital and AI-enabled solutions for material efficiency

Your responsibilities

Key Role Accountabilities: Head of Material Efficiency Tools

• Define and develop the Group's Material Efficiency and Supply Chain Transformation roadmap.
• Assess existing inventory, planning, procurement and logistics processes across the Group and identify opportunities for optimisation.
• Identify key business challenges, inefficiencies and gaps in current material management practices.
• Define and prioritise use cases for inventory optimisation, stock dimensioning, demand forecasting, procurement efficiency and supply chain performance.
• Work with the AI Lab, data scientists and technology teams to translate operational requirements into practical digital and AI-enabled solutions.
• Act as the Subject Matter Expert for supply chain and material efficiency throughout the development of new tools and solutions.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives involving Supply Chain, Procurement, Logistics, Engineering, Maintenance and Digital/Technology teams.
• Develop methodologies, processes and frameworks that can be scaled across multiple operating companies (OpCos).
• Drive stakeholder engagement and change management to ensure adoption of new tools and ways of working.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to demonstrate improvements in inventory levels, cost efficiency, planning effectiveness, procurement performance and operational reliability.
• Identify opportunities to leverage best practices and innovative approaches from other industries and sectors.
• Build and develop the Material Efficiency capability as the function matures.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Logistics, Business or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in Supply Chain, Inventory Management, Material Planning, Procurement, Logistics or Operations.
• Proven experience in areas such as inventory optimisation, stock dimensioning, demand planning, procurement efficiency or supply chain transformation.
• Experience leading or contributing to transformation, optimisation, digitalisation or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong ability to work across operational and technology teams and translate business requirements into practical solutions.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English, with the ability to communicate complex technical and business concepts clearly to senior stakeholders across the Group.

Skills and Capabilities

• Experience leading transformation or optimisation programmes
• Engineering or technical background
• Strong Supply Chain / Inventory / Procurement expertise
• Experience in a complex industrial environment
• Experience with inventory optimisation and material planning
• Exposure to Lean or operational excellence
• Consulting or project-based transformation experience
• Exposure to aviation or aerospace would be an advantage
• Experience working with digital, AI or advanced analytical solutions
• Strong strategic thinking combined with the ability to work hands‑on with operational teams.

Additional Information

• The opportunity to build and shape a new strategic capability within a leading global airline group.
• A highly strategic position with significant visibility across multiple operating companies.
• The opportunity to lead high-impact transformation initiatives across Supply Chain, Maintenance and Technical Operations.
• Exposure to AI, advanced analytics and innovative digital solutions without being an IT or Data Science role.
• The opportunity to bring best practices from advanced industrial and supply chain environments into aviation.
• Continuous development of technical, leadership and digital transformation skills in a collaborative and international environment.

What we offer

The chance to enjoy a challenging career in an exciting, fast-moving environment in a dynamic industry. The opportunity to work in a multi-cultural environment with great offices in many locations. We support our people in maintaining work/life balance, as well as providing the many benefits one would expect from a global organisation, including health insurance, pension and performance bonuses.

We are an equal opportunities employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

IAG Transform is a part of International Airlines Group (IAG). IAG is one of the world’s largest airline groups with 600+ aircraft carrying more than 122 million customers to 260 destinations across 91 countries each year. IAG brings together leading airline brands Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Level, Vueling. These are supported by IAG Loyalty that spans all its airlines and beyond, offering the global currency Avios and including BA Holidays, and IAG Cargo which delivers vital goods and produce around the world. These businesses are complementary to its core airline businesses. As the first airline group globally to commit to net zero by 2050, sustainability is a core part of IAG’s strategy. IAG Transform plays a critical role in driving transformation across IAG and the aviation industry, through expertise and capabilities in procurement, technology, AI, innovation, and transformation. We are based in London, UK, with a presence in Dublin, Madrid, Barcelona and Kraków. With us, your work will create real impact, from everyday improvements to breakthrough change that reshapes the way the world flies.