Job Description/Specification:
Qatar Airways Group is seeking a strategic and commercially driven Head of Ground Services Procurement to lead procurement activities across Ground Handling, Cargo Handling, and Ground Support Equipment (GSE) categories. This senior leadership role is responsible for developing category strategies, managing high-value sourcing initiatives, strengthening supplier relationships, and delivering commercial value while supporting the airline's operational excellence and long-term growth.
The ideal candidate will possess extensive procurement leadership experience, deep knowledge of aviation ground services markets, and a proven track record of negotiating complex, high-value contracts while collaborating with executive stakeholders across the business.
About This Role
As the Head of Ground Services Procurement, you will lead category management, strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, contract negotiations, sustainability initiatives, and procurement transformation projects while ensuring compliance with Qatar Airways' procurement policies and delivering measurable business value.
Key Responsibilities
📦 Category Strategy & Strategic Sourcing
- Develop and implement category strategies for Ground Handling, Cargo Handling, and Ground Support Equipment.
- Lead strategic sourcing initiatives that deliver long-term commercial value.
- Conduct market analysis, supplier benchmarking, and procurement planning.
- Identify innovative sourcing opportunities to improve operational performance and cost efficiency.
- Develop category plans aligned with corporate objectives.
🤝 Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
- Build and manage strategic supplier relationships to maximize performance and innovation.
- Develop and implement Tier 1 Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) programs.
- Monitor supplier performance, service quality, and contract compliance.
- Establish supplier risk management frameworks and contingency plans.
- Promote continuous supplier development and collaboration.
💰 Contract Negotiation & Commercial Management
- Lead negotiations for complex, high-value procurement contracts.
- Manage commercial agreements covering products, services, and operational requirements.
- Balance commercial opportunities with operational and contractual risks.
- Deliver cost savings, cost avoidance, and value creation initiatives.
- Ensure procurement activities comply with organizational governance and policies.
📊 Procurement Performance & Business Analytics
- Track procurement KPIs, project benefits, and commercial performance.
- Prepare executive reports, sourcing recommendations, and market intelligence.
- Monitor procurement project delivery and strategic outcomes.
- Develop data-driven procurement insights to support executive decision-making.
👥 Stakeholder Management
- Build strong relationships with executive leadership, operational departments, Finance, Legal, and business stakeholders.
- Act as a trusted procurement advisor to senior management.
- Influence procurement strategies through effective communication and collaboration.
- Lead cross-functional sourcing and negotiation teams across the organization.
🌱 Procurement Governance & Sustainability
- Ensure procurement activities comply with corporate policies and ethical standards.
- Embed sustainability principles into sourcing strategies and supplier selection.
- Promote responsible sourcing, lifecycle cost analysis, and environmental considerations.
- Support procurement transformation initiatives and continuous process improvement.
Minimum Requirements
Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, Engineering, Logistics, Finance, or a related discipline.
- Professional procurement certifications such as CIPS, CPSM, CSCP, or equivalent are highly desirable.
Experience
- Minimum 10 years of procurement, sourcing, and category management experience.
- Extensive experience managing Ground Handling, Cargo Handling, or Ground Support Equipment procurement within the aviation industry.
- Proven experience negotiating high-value commercial contracts exceeding USD 10 million.
- Strong background in supplier relationship management and procurement transformation.
Preferred Skills
- Deep knowledge of aviation procurement markets and supplier networks.
- Exceptional negotiation and commercial management skills.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and executive communication abilities.
- Experience leading procurement teams and cross-functional sourcing initiatives.
- Strong analytical, strategic planning, and risk management capabilities.
Technical Skills
- Strategic Procurement
- Category Management
- Strategic Sourcing
- Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
- Contract Negotiation
- Aviation Procurement
- Ground Handling Procurement
- Spend Analysis
- Risk Management
- Procurement Strategy
Core Competencies
- Strategic Leadership
- Commercial Acumen
- Negotiation
- Stakeholder Management
- Decision Making
- Relationship Building
- Analytical Thinking
- Risk Management
- Change Management
- Results Orientation
Who Can Apply?
This opportunity is suitable for professionals currently working as:
- Head of Procurement
- Procurement Manager
- Category Manager
- Strategic Sourcing Manager
- Supply Chain Manager
- Procurement Business Partner
- Commercial Procurement Manager
- Aviation Procurement Manager
- Contracts Manager
- Senior Category Lead
Professionals from the Aviation, Airlines, Airports, Ground Handling, Cargo Logistics, Supply Chain, Transportation, Engineering, Logistics, and Procurement Consulting industries are encouraged to apply.
CV Tips
Highlight:
- Leadership of strategic procurement and category management programs.
- High-value contract negotiations and commercial savings delivered.
- Supplier relationship management and procurement transformation initiatives.
- Experience with aviation ground handling, cargo services, or airport operations procurement.
- Executive stakeholder engagement and cross-functional leadership achievements.
Application Tips
- Quantify procurement achievements, including contract values, annual spend managed, cost savings, and supplier performance improvements.
- Highlight expertise in strategic sourcing, category management, SRM, and commercial negotiations.
- Include procurement certifications such as CIPS, CPSM, or CSCP where applicable.
- Demonstrate experience leading procurement transformation, sustainability, and governance initiatives.
- Optimize your CV with ATS-friendly keywords such as Head of Procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, supplier relationship management, SRM, aviation procurement, ground handling, cargo handling, contract negotiation, procurement strategy, spend management, and supply chain management.
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