At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategy for aircraft maintenance and negotiate high-value contracts.
- Company: Join IAG, a leading airline group with a focus on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy health insurance, pension, performance bonuses, and a supportive work/life balance.
- Other info: Opportunities for travel and career growth in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic industry while working with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: 5-10 years in strategic procurement or aircraft maintenance services required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
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
- Category Strategy & Execution
- Develop and implement a unified procurement strategy across group companies for Wide Body aircraft Base Maintenance.
- Execute the procurement strategy by running RFP, preparing and negotiating contracts, and contributing to business case preparation.
- Align sourcing initiatives with business objectives, cost efficiency, procurement best practices, and transformation goals.
- Supplier Management & Harmonisation
- Lead third-party MRO performance, including cost control of both fixed price and over and above, and overall turn-around time to deliver the aircraft maintenance checks on budget and on time.
- Manage risks and work with OpCos to address operational challenges.
- Drive supplier benchmarking and comparative analysis across OpCos to identify inefficiencies and harmonization opportunities.
- Negotiate group-wide agreements to maximise leverage and rebates.
- Commercial & Contractual Excellence
- Own high-value sourcing initiatives including RFP design, supplier selection, negotiation, and contract finalization.
- Collaborate with legal and finance teams to ensure robust contractual compliance and risk mitigation.
- Champion specification simplification and standardisation across business units.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Governance
- Act as a strategic partner to senior stakeholders, influencing decisions and enabling value creation through procurement.
- Maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, serving as the primary point of contact for category-related decisions.
- Establish governance frameworks for external spend and supplier performance monitoring.
- Data-Driven Optimisation
- Use spend intelligence and analytics to identify rate leakage, contractor dependency, and opportunities for role-based optimisation.
- Promote a shift from named contractor selection to skill-based resource planning (where applicable).
Your skills, experience and qualifications
- Minimum 5–10 years in strategic category procurement or aircraft maintenance services.
- Proven success in delivering savings and value through sourcing initiatives, especially in aircraft maintenance services.
- Strong understanding of aircraft base maintenance services; understanding of aircraft line maintenance services is a plus.
- Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
- Ability to operate effectively under tight deadlines and finite resources.
- Willingness to travel across OpCos and MRO as needed.
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.
Category Lead - Aircraft Heavy Maintenance, MRO in London employer: IAG Transform UK
As a part of International Airlines Group (IAG), we offer an exceptional work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration in the dynamic aviation sector. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our supportive culture, competitive benefits including health insurance and performance bonuses, and opportunities for career advancement across our global offices. Join us to be a key player in driving sustainable transformation while enjoying a healthy work/life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Lead - Aircraft Heavy Maintenance, MRO in London
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with IAG Transform UK for a Category Lead - Aircraft Heavy Maintenance, MRO. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Lead - Aircraft Heavy Maintenance, MRO in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at IAG Transform UK, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At IAG Transform UK, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at IAG Transform UK
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with IAG Transform UK.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with IAG Transform UK. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like IAG Transform UK love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
