Junior Sourcing Specialist

dnata catering UK; Hounslow; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading air and travel services provider seeks a Procurement Specialist to oversee strategic sourcing and category management. You will develop category plans, negotiate terms with suppliers, and enhance procurement practices. Ideal candidates should have experience in sourcing and category management, strong negotiation abilities, and the capacity to work with cross-functional teams. The position offers opportunities for professional growth and various employee benefits, including free meals on site.

Benefits

Free breakfast, lunch and dinner on site

Discounted gym membership

Cycle to Work Scheme

Simply health Plan

In-house apprenticeship programme

Qualifications

• Experience in indirect food production is ideal.
• Ability to influence key decision makers.
• Experience delivering change in a project management capacity.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic category plans for procurement.
• Negotiate and manage commercial terms with suppliers.
• Engage with internal stakeholders for supply chain optimization.

Skills

Sourcing and category management experience

Good negotiation skills

Strong communication skills

Analytical approach

Project management experience

Education

CIPS qualification or relevant industry experience

Tools

eProcurement platforms

Job description

Who are we?

Dnata is one of the world’s largest air and travel services providers. We provide a comprehensive range of inflight catering, onboard retail, supplychain andlogistics services at all major and regional airports across the UK. Dnata Catering provide expertly crafted inflight catering services, delivering fresh and high-quality meals at major and regional airports across the UK.As the leading Halal caterer in the UK, we also provide tailored experiences to meet each customer’s unique needs. We’re a leader in VIP catering, offering bespoke inflight to private and charter clients.

The Role

Working alongside our team of procurement specialists, your role is key as you take responsibility for the strategic sourcing and category management for accountable categories. Developing clear category management strategies, you will maximise value across the end to end product selection sourcing process. The emphasis is on buying the right products to fit the longer-term needs of our customers and the business whilst achieving total cost solutions rather than a simple quick, price focussed fit.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting the senior team in the delivery of the overall procurement business strategy, with direct accountability for specific categories
• Develop strategic category plans to drive commercial, quality and service objectives of the business
• Implement consistent and robust Supplier Performance Management for category vendors, driving continuous improvement initiatives, forecasts/re-forecasts and ongoing relationship development to optimise the value and performance of each supplier
• Negotiating and managing commercial terms for all suppliers that fall within scope, integrating into central contractual agreements to synergise benefits and maximise sustainable value
• Consolidating expenditure and suppliers wherever appropriate, to maximize volumes and minimise complexity
• Negotiation and drafting of contracts are in place and maintained for all key, accountable vendors
• Use technology to drive procurement best practice such as electronic tendering and auctions
• Ensuring suppliers are reporting contracted SLA’s and KPI’s, putting in place recovery measures for failure
• Enhancing all procurement practices in sourcing and supplier management through the implementation of the Scanmarket eSourcing platforms, including but not limited to all tenders, contracts and supplier information in order to underpin category opportunities where appropriate
• Engagement with key internal stakeholders, presenting opportunities & impacts associated with supply chain optimisation Following up on delivery queries, shortages etc. with suppliers
• Supporting the menu development process for accountable airlines in collaboration with your internal stakeholders, such as Sales, Facilities, Fleet and Commercial, through new product/service sourcing and pricing
• Adhering to company compliance procedures and the development and implementation of functional processes, guidelines, policies and projects relative to accountable category activities

Required Skills

• Ideally sourcing and category management experience within indirect food production
• Market knowledge, procurement best practice
• Good negotiation skills and an ability to influence key decision makers
• Experience of delivering change, ideally is qualified in project management such as Prince2
• Track record of commercial acumen
• Strong communication, interpersonal and presentation skills
• Highly analytical and methodical approach
• Ability to structure workload, to plan and multi-task efficiently

Preferred Skills

• Competent with eProcurement platforms and IT solutions
• CIPS qualification or relevant industry experience

What's in it for you?

• An opportunity to be part ofthe Emirates global family.
• Free breakfast,lunch and dinner on site
• Free tea and coffee
• Simply health Plan
• Refer a Friend Scheme
• Discounted gym membership at over 2000 gyms nationwide
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Opportunity to enhance your learning through our inhouse apprenticeship programme

Ifyou're invited to interview, please let us know if there are any adjustments we can make to ensureyou're cleared for take-off and able to perform at your best.We’re committed to making the recruitment journey as smooth and inclusive as possible.

Our roles attract high volumes of applications, so it may take us a little time to taxi through them all. We aim to respond to every application within 14 days. If youhaven’t heard from us by then — or if you have any questions about this or other opportunities — feel free to contact a member of our Talent crew for further assistance.

We appreciate your patience while we navigate the runway!