Supplier Operations Manager

Introduction Be part of this city within a city. Every year, millions of people travel through Heathrow. Joining our Engineering team means being at the heart of a complex operation whose size, scale and reputation for innovation are unique. We make sure the airport is always running smoothly and keep passengers and planes moving.

Our team touches all aspects of airport life – from water to energy, rail to roads, baggage systems to runways. The scope and variety of what we do is vast, spanning mechanical, electrical, water, civil, rail and environmental disciplines. Together we are responsible for the performance of 500,000 assets worth £14bn. It means there are always a wide range of interesting development, construction and maintenance projects to get involved with. And a lot of ways to develop your skills, career and reputation.

You’ll be part of a close-knit, driven team, taking on work that you can take real pride in and feel passionate about. It’s an exciting place to be, where every day, you’ll discover a world of fresh possibilities and you’ll be mentored by world-class experts every step of the way.

Job Description This is an excellent opportunity to lead commercial and supplier operations activity across Engineering, ensuring contracts deliver against safety, quality, performance and financial objectives. As Supplier Operations Manager, you will play a key role in driving commercial awareness, managing budgets, identifying opportunities, mitigating risks and supporting the delivery of EBITDA targets, while ensuring robust controls and governance are in place across the function.

Your role will involve

• Lead the commercial and operational governance of supplier contracts, ensuring delivery against cost, performance, compliance, risk, health & safety and environmental objectives.
• Drive financial performance across a £100m+ cost base through robust budget management, forecasting, cost control and identification of risks and opportunities.
• Challenge supplier costs, contract delivery and value for money through audits, commercial reviews, quantity surveying activities and performance analysis.
• Partner with Engineering, Baggage, Finance, Procurement and Capital teams to develop and implement cost-saving initiatives while maintaining or improving asset performance.
• Support contract procurement and retendering activities, ensuring contracts are fit for purpose, commercially effective and aligned to long-term operational and asset strategies.
• Lead and develop a team of Commercial Coordinators, fostering a collaborative, customer-focused culture that champions continuous improvement, innovation and business performance.

Essential These skills are essential

• Proven track record of delivering business improvement and change within a complex environment, achieving operational and commercial performance improvements while reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
• Strong commercial acumen with demonstrable experience of driving commercial best practice and applying procurement and contract management principles.
• Highly analytical problem solver with the ability to assess complex issues, challenge constructively and develop innovative yet pragmatic solutions.
• Strong stakeholder management, collaboration and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and drive outcomes across multiple teams.
• Experience managing budgets, forecasting and financial performance, with a focus on identifying opportunities, controlling costs and managing risk.
• Ability to lead change and role model behaviours that promote continuous improvement, accountability and high performance.

Desirable:

• Degree qualified and/or membership of a relevant professional body, such as RICS or an equivalent commercial, procurement or quantity surveying profession.
• Experience delivering compliance requirements within a complex operational environment.
• Broad understanding of asset management, operational systems and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong leadership capability with the ability to create a clear vision, motivate teams and inspire others to achieve business objectives.
• Experience working within infrastructure, engineering, transport, aviation, quantity surveying, or other asset-intensive environments.

About Us There’s something so special about working at the world’s most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air o…