Head of Powerplant - London, United Kingdom - Selint Aviation - Executive Search

Description

Overview

A leading group of airlines is looking for a "Head of Category – Engines" (Head of Powerplant), to be located in London, Madrid, Dublin or Barcelona.

The role is responsible to define and execute the sourcing strategy and maintenance activities of Group airlines' engines. You also support the Group's in house MRO. You will be accountable for the spend management of a multimillion budget, and the identification and execution of savings opportunities.

You will closely work with senior executives of the Group airlines and MROs (CTOs and directors of engineering) and take ownership for delivering a robust business and financial plan that maximises value to the Group, delivers the savings target, and ensures your category continues support the group's operational requirements.

You will use your solid and extensive network of senior contacts in the Engine OEM and MRO supplier market and wider industry to help unblock and speed up initiatives to achieve delivery of agreed targets.

You will be a skilled negotiator with a demonstrated ability to negotiate complex, multiyear engine maintenance agreements (with particular emphasis on PBH contracts). You will be able to smoothly resolve complex negotiations with internal and external stakeholders. It is expected you will have strong credibility with suppliers and be able to quickly demonstrate this with senior internal stakeholders.

Leading an expert team of procurement professionals, you will be responsible for inspiring and motivating the team, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and development, retaining talent and driving them to deliver outstanding results. Ultimately, we expect you to challenge the status quo in a constructive manner and drive change.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate complex, multiyear engine maintenance agreements (with particular emphasis on PBH contracts). Commercially and technically lead negotiations with a focus on achieving favorable terms and conditions, while effectively resolving any disputes that may arise.
• Analyze and assess the key drivers in engine maintenance contracts, such as PBH, NTE, T&M, utilizing strong technical, business, and financial acumen.
• Identify new opportunities to reduce cost, increase profitability, improve the time-to-market and deliver on the Group's sustainable agenda.
• Accountability for operating companies tier 1 (high strategic/high risk/high spend) projects. Work with strategic suppliers to grow and develop supplier markets.
• Support the fleet team in sourcing engines and long-term maintenance contracts as part of aircraft selection activity.
• Ensure supplier performance management is robust, effective and compliant.
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for all external spend related activity.
• Define and implement a 3-5-year Engines category plan, ensuring alignment with business goals and internal stakeholder.
• Lead a global team of engine procurement and technical experts, focusing on capability development, workload management and continuity planning.
• Accountability for supplier risk to protect the operating companies and the Group from financial, operational and reputational damage.
• Provide commercial innovation to internal stakeholders through interaction with the supply base.
• Work with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to resolve commercial and contractual disputes.
• Ensure that all Procurement activity is carried out in line with Group and operating company governance principles.
• Develop effective working relations with key interfaces across the Group and operating companies including the line, finance, legal and other stakeholders.
• Develop group level strategies for optimum use of assets and identify synergy opportunities.

Job requisites

• At least 15 to 25 years' experience in an MRO/airline/OEM engineering organisation in either a technical or procurement role, with at least 5 years in a senior position.
• Educated at University with Engineering degree.
• Established network across OEMs and MRO suppliers at senior level.