Head Of Procurement

Gatwick Airport Limited; Horley; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Staff parking

Discounts

Job summary

Gatwick Airport Limited is seeking a Head of Procurement to shape the airport’s commercial future. You’ll lead a hybrid, office-first function responsible for ~£500m annual spend, embedding procurement in business planning and major programmes.

Reporting to the Deputy CFO, you’ll drive strategic supplier relationships, governance, and value-for-money outcomes, and lead a team of around 16 FTE across capital and operational spend.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in large, complex operational environments with strategic procurement delivery.
• Experience leading category strategies, sourcing, contract negotiation and supplier relationships across operational procurement.
• Significant capital works procurement experience (>£200m p.a.) and familiarity with NEC contracts and UK construction supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver long-term Procurement and Supply Chain Strategy aligned with corporate objectives.
• Unify capital and operational procurement into one high-performing function with clear governance.
• Develop category strategies to maximise value for money and drive efficiency.
• Strengthen governance, assurance, and procurement compliance while simplifying processes.
• Build strategic supplier relationships to drive resilience, sustainability and value; position procurement as a customer of choice.

Skills

Strategic procurement leadership

Category strategy

Supplier relationship management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Chartered membership (CIPS/RICS)

Tools

NEC contracts familiarity

Job description

Competitive salary, £12,000 flex allowance, up to 40% discretionary bonus + benefits

Great journeys happen at London Gatwick. Where will your career take you?

London Gatwick is looking for a Head of Procurement to shape our commercial future. Reporting to the Deputy CFO, you'll lead the transformation of Procurement into a strategic, value-creating function across capital and operational procurement, responsible for around £500m of annual third-party expenditure and the full lifecycle of every contract.

Could you be the trusted advisor and inspiring leader who helps us build a stronger, smarter, more resilient supply chain while delivering value for money for the business?

This role takes an office first hybrid approach here at London Gatwick, with three days a week in the office, two days remote, managed around the needs of the business.

What is the role?

You'll define and deliver our long-term Procurement and Supply Chain Strategy, ensuring Procurement is embedded in business planning, investment decisions, commercial strategy and major programme delivery. You'll bring together capital and operational procurement into one high-performing function, with clear governance, stronger commercial leverage, greater consistency and improved business outcomes.

This is a pivotal senior leadership role where your influence will be felt across the airport. Working closely with executive leadership and senior stakeholders, you'll position Procurement as a trusted strategic partner that drives value, manages risk, improves supplier performance, strengthens market relationships to ensure we are seen as a customer of choice and supports the delivery of Gatwick's long-term ambitions.

The role will lead a Procurement team of c. 16 FTE.

What will you do?

• Develop and execute a long-term Procurement and Supply Chain Strategy aligned with Gatwick's corporate objectives
• Lead the integration and development of a unified Procurement function across capital and operational spend categories
• Build category strategies that maximise value for money, drive efficiency and support business performance
• Strengthen governance, assurance and procurement compliance while simplifying processes and improving the user experience
• Develop strategic supplier relationships that drive innovation, resilience, sustainability and long-term value and ensure we are seen as a customer of choice in the market
• Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing Procurement team with clear career pathways and strong commercial capability
• Represent Gatwick externally with suppliers, industry bodies and strategic partners, influencing market practice and strengthening the airport's commercial position
• Work collaboratively across the VINCI Airports, GIP businesses and regional airport network (Edinburgh and Belfast International) to identify opportunities for procurement optimisation, innovation and value creation.

How would you help us deliver measurable value, resilient supply chains, stronger supplier performance and better business outcomes year after year?

Do you have what we're looking for?

• A strong track record in large, complex operational environments, with demonstratable experience of developing and implementing strategic procurement and delivery frameworks/ models.
• Deep experience leading category strategy, sourcing, contract negotiation and supplier relationship management across operational procurement.
• Deep experience leading procurement of significant capital works across diverse capital portfolios (>£200m pa) as well as major projects (individual projects >£100m in value), with strong understanding of the NEC suite of contracts, and associated extensive knowledge of the UK Construction Supply Chain.
• Proven ability to drive value for money, cost optimisation and measurable commercial outcomes
• Experience working with senior leaders, shaping strategy and supporting capital, operational procurement and operational delivery
• Strong people leadership credentials, with the ability to build capability, motivate teams and create clear development pathways
• Chartered membership of CIPS, RICS or similar (highly desirable)
• Proven procurement and supply chain leadership across complex operational and capital settings (desirable)
• Extensive demonstrable technical knowledge of both operational and capital procurement best practice.
• Strong continuous improvement mindset, with clear experience of driving change to improve business outcomes is desirable.

Are you someone who builds strong relationships, simplifies complexity, and communicates with clarity and confidence?

What's in it for you?

Our employees tell us that working here is something special and no day is like another. Along with a competitive salary, employees enjoy a range of personal, health and financial benefits, including:

• Performance-based bonus scheme
• High street shops and restaurant discounts
• Discounted rail and bus travel to work
• Free staff parking

And so much more… as we offer a rewarding world of flexible benefits you can personalise around what matters most to you.

At London Gatwick we're also very well connected, just 30 minutes from central London and directly linked to over 100 towns and cities. Whether you prefer to travel by cycle, electric car, or train, we aim to make your journey to work as convenient and cost-effective as possible.

What's it like to work at London Gatwick?

At London Gatwick, our people are our biggest asset. We want our people to thrive and have the best experience while working with us. We know we are all at our best when we feel comfortable and included.

We are a workplace that places diversity, equity and inclusion at its heart. Our aim: to create a place where everyone belongs and has a voice, and we recognise we all play an important role in our success.

AI tools can be helpful when preparing your application or getting ready for interviews, but it's important that what you share reflects your own experience, skills and thinking.

Use of AI-generated content during the recruitment process may not give an accurate picture of your abilities and could impact our assessment.

Our process is designed to understand how you would perform in the role and the perspective you would bring.

London Gatwick supports an inclusive recruitment process, enabling you to perform at your best. Please make us aware as part of your application should you require any reasonable adjustments.

Head of Procurement • Horley, Surrey, United Kingdom