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
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their procurement strategies and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves a lot of contract discussions, being able to articulate your value and negotiate effectively will set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Lead - Aircraft Heavy Maintenance, MRO in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Category Lead - Aircraft Heavy Maintenance. Highlight your experience in strategic procurement and aircraft maintenance services, and don’t forget to showcase those negotiation skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific achievements in procurement and how they align with our goals at IAG Transform.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills:In your application, emphasise your ability to engage with senior stakeholders. Share examples of how you've influenced decisions and created value through procurement in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with IAG Transform!
How to prepare for a job interview at IAG Transform UK
✨Know Your Procurement Strategies
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of procurement strategies, especially in the context of aircraft maintenance. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully implemented similar strategies in the past and how they align with the company's goals.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of high-stakes negotiations you've led, particularly in the MRO sector. Highlight your approach to contract finalisation and how you ensured compliance while maximising value for your previous employers.
✨Understand Stakeholder Engagement
Familiarise yourself with the importance of stakeholder management in procurement. Be prepared to share how you've influenced decisions and built strong relationships with both internal teams and external suppliers.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Demonstrate your ability to use data analytics in procurement. Bring examples of how you've identified inefficiencies or opportunities for optimisation through spend intelligence, and be ready to discuss how this can benefit the company.
