Senior Group Manager

JR United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the airline industry is seeking a VP Airports (Group Senior Manager) to oversee procurement activities and drive cost efficiencies in London. The successful candidate will lead a team of procurement professionals, develop sourcing strategies, and negotiate contracts with vendors. This strategic role requires a strong background in supply chain management, leadership skills, and the ability to manage complex supplier relationships.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in procurement or supply chain management, 5 years in a senior role.
• Proven track record in strategic procurement execution.
• Strong project management and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee procurement activities related to ground operations.
• Design and support strategic transformation roadmaps.
• Negotiate and manage high-value contracts with vendors.

Skills

Strategic procurement planning

Vendor management

Contract negotiation

Supply chain optimization

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

Master's preferred

Job description

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IAG GBS (Global Business Services) is part of the International Airlines Group, one of the world’s leading airline groups, with 546 aircraft flying to over 270 destinations, carrying more than 100 million passengers each year.

IAG GBS provides a plug-and-play platform of scalable, best-in-class procurement, finance, and IT business services to IAG’s operating companies, including Aer Lingus, IAG Loyalty, British Airways, IAG Cargo, Iberia, Iberia Express, LEVEL, and Vueling.

The company is headquartered in Krakow and has operations in London, Madrid, Barcelona, and Dublin.

Job Description:

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic VP Airports (Group Senior Manager) to join our team in London, United Kingdom.

This key leadership role will oversee all procurement activities related to ground operations, drive cost efficiencies, and optimize supply chain processes.

• Design and support the execution of strategic transformation roadmaps and category plans, working closely with IAG’s businesses to meet organizational goals and ground operations requirements.
• Lead and mentor a team of procurement professionals, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement local and global sourcing strategies for all external spend to secure critical resources for the category.
• Negotiate and manage high-value contracts with vendors, ensuring optimal terms and conditions.
• Collaborate with business areas to identify, challenge, harmonize, and simplify specifications and processes across operating companies to maximize group buying power.
• Support tier 1 projects with operating companies, working with strategic suppliers to grow and develop supplier markets.
• Implement and optimize supply chain processes to enhance productivity and reduce operational costs.
• Analyze market trends, industry best practices, and emerging technologies to drive procurement innovation.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and company policies in procurement activities.
• Manage stakeholder relationships across operating companies, ensuring robust challenge while delivering business plans.
• Manage supplier risk to protect the group from financial, operational, and reputational damage.
• Resolve commercial and contractual disputes with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, especially those with high complexity or spend.
• Provide regular reports and presentations to senior management on procurement performance and key metrics.
• Maintain/update procurement trackers, including DAL, Contracts Repository, and Contracts Database.
• Undertake commercial modeling and analysis (RFP bids, contract changes, etc.).

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field; Master's preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in procurement or supply chain management, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record in strategic procurement planning and execution.
• Strong expertise in vendor management, contract negotiation, and supply chain optimization.
• Extensive experience in budget management and cost control.
• Demonstrated leadership and team development skills.
• Excellent project management skills for managing multiple priorities.
• Advanced data analysis and reporting skills.
• In-depth knowledge of ground operations in transportation or logistics.
• Familiarity with global procurement practices and regulatory compliance.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence at all organizational levels.
• Experience in fast-paced, dynamic environments focused on continuous improvement.