Job Description

The purpose of this role is to lead the Procurement function for all third party Operational and Technology expenditure (Opex) across the business currently amounting to c£1.1bn of spend. This team manages the end-to-end procurement process to ensure maximum value is returned to the business from the supplier base.

The role will be accountable for bringing operational rigour and excellence within procurement and lead a strategic procurement team across key value driver for the business. You will have strong expertise in providing leadership steer for operational delivery excellence while also leading change within the Procurement function in a complex environment. You will be responsible for continuing the evolution of your procurement organisation into a robust and trusted strategic delivery partner for Heathrow’s businesses and proactively adding value by positively influencing business strategy formulation and execution through best-in-class procurement operations.

• The Operations and Technology director will be accountable for the running and management of all operations and technology procurement, the function’s direction, purpose and strategic role within the business.
• Leading and managing Heathrow’s Operations and technology procurement function, accountable to the procurement director for the overall outcomes of that procurement activity, creating and maintaining a culture to drive efficiencies along with the capability of securing year on year business value across the third party spend Capex (where applicable in technology) and Opex.
• Build and maintain the reputation of procurement as a highly professional and strategic value driver, with appropriate external validation and increasing satisfaction among key customers and suppliers.
• Accountability for the end-to-end procurement lifecycle – from strategy through implementation to supplier management and close down. Ensure robust strategies are in place for critical sourcing activities, carry out the procurement tendering and renewals process to reduce cost and add Strategic value to the business, and develop a strategic and operational supplier management framework is in place to foster continuous development of key relationships, ensures delivery efficiency from optimal supplier performance and drives innovation and business value.
• Manage and run core Procurement processes (Governance, Reporting, Resourcing Management, Market Intelligence and Segmentation) and systems to deliver Procurement activities in an efficient way, maximises business self-service, a potential Centre of Excellence where possible and providing a central advisory service for all of Heathrow.
• Leading the liaison with external stakeholders including suppliers, partner authorities and Government, and demonstrating excellent influencing skills for areas of joint strategy and decision making (related to policy, innovation, driving new practices and progress) in alignment with HAL business strategy. Acting as ‘the face of Heathrow’ to relevant external stakeholders, managing market perceptions and positioning the organisation as a leading player in the sector.

• A highly experienced procurement professional with the seniority and career profile to be instantly credible, both within the business, to their own team and with external stakeholders.
• Inspirational leadership of large and diverse teams
• A strong track record of achievement in large, complex operating business environments, with a proven ability to deliver.
• Able to demonstrate continuous improvement and delivery of results in a variety of procurement settings.
• A broad base of knowledge with expertise in public and private sector procurement and the economics of procurement and markets, as well as having excellent commercial understanding.
• Evidence of an ability to evaluate procurement strategy and operational delivery through the lens of customer experience.
• High degree of organisational ability, with a disciplined approach to the structure and management of contracts.
• Strong negotiating skills, with sound financial and commercial judgement, proven delivery of cost savings and value adding benefits from procurement activities and supplier relationships.

Ideally you will also have:

• Experience of working effectively with business unit executives across an organisation as a strategic value driver.
• Good interpersonal skills to engage with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinker with the ability to understand the context of their own goals within the broader objectives of the business.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of advanced procurement systems and processes, including e-Procurement tools.

There’s something so special about working at the world’s most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air of excitement. Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities.

Every day, you’ll discover a world full of fresh possibilities and end the day buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences. A world full of pride for what we do and no end of exciting career prospects to explore.

It brings out the best in all of us. And inspires everyone to deliver on our ambitious plans. Together, we’re working to welcome millions more passengers while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability.

Join us on that journey and we'll help you achieve your ambitions too. Supporting you to learn, encouraging you to be yourself, backing you to achieve more than you might ever have imagined. Because there’s no place like Heathrow.

Our rewards

We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. As well as performance-based annual bonuses and our longer-term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances and market-leading pensions. With family friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools, we’ll support you to be at your best inside and outside work. And of course, we’ll provide varied learning and development opportunities too. Here you’ll find everything you need for a fulfilling career journey that can take you in exciting directions.

Working Location

Our Hybrid working approach offers the opportunity for colleagues in some roles to work from home for an average of two days a week, providing the flexibility to work in an agile way whilst ensuring we deliver for the operational needs of HeathrowWorking arrangements vary from team to team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You’ll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.

Sustainable Travel to work

Heathrow’s Sustainable Travel Guide sets out easy and sustainable travel options that everyone can access.

Equal Opportunities

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger – not least because we welcome passengers from all corners of the globe, every single day. Heathrow is an accessible place to work. With five diversity networks, we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality.