Job description

Zenon are delighted to be supporting the UK’s most loved Airline with their need for a Manager – Inflight Services Supplier Relationships on a permanent basis based at their company headquarters at London Gatwick Airport.

Reporting to the Head of Inflight Services, this role is accountable for supplier performance and contractual management as well as driving commercial performance of a £40m+ annual budget across Inflight Service Charges, Catering, Laundry, Systems and associated services.

This is a highly varied role that offers a range of engaging responsibilities. The client is seeking an experienced and influential individual who can excel in the following day to day activities:

• Oversee budgeting and financial planning for strategically important In-Flight services, ensuring achievement of relevant budgets.
• Lead Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) activities with global suppliers, fostering a commercial and performance-driven culture across the IFS organization.
• Manage RFP tender activities, including scoping services, negotiating contracts, and conducting in-depth financial analyses in collaboration with the Procurement Category Management team.
• Ensure accurate auditing and approval of invoices and expenditures, adhering to internal audit requirements and approved systems/processes.
• Provide support to the IFS team in commercial discussions and performance management while acting as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for financial "what-if" scenarios and budget analysis.
• Drive financial performance for non-food catering budgets, implementing strategies to mitigate overspending and improve efficiency.

If you are an experienced manager with exceptional influencing and analytical skills, we would love to hear from you. Key qualifications and characteristics we are looking for include:

• Proven experience as a skilled networker with the ability to influence and manage internal and external stakeholders through various approaches.
• Background in aviation catering unit operations.
• Commercial acumen and comfort in handling complex data for decision-making, budget preparation, and tracking.
• Excellent time management, planning, and organizational skills with a proactive approach to seeing tasks through to completion.
• Senior-level business experience, ideally with broad exposure to in-flight service management, delivery, and support services.
• Resilience under pressure and adaptability in ambiguous situations, consistently finding effective solutions.
• Ability to assess complex business scenarios and offer customer-centric recommendations while considering cost implications.
• Successful track record in project/programme management and delivering significant change in complex commercial and operational environments.
• Willingness to travel at short notice.
• Strong understanding of In-flight product and service supply chains and processes.

If you possess these skills and capabilities and are ready to embrace an exciting opportunity, apply now to become a valuable member of our client’s exceptional In-Flight Services team!

Why Choose Zenon Aviation?

In the ever changing and dynamic marketplace, Zenon Aviation knows that the support and care we provide to candidates is vital in assisting you in achieving your career aspirations. Our team of dedicated consultants will deal with you application efficiently and more importantly confidentially, providing a professional and reliable service.   

If the above opportunity is of interest to you, please forward your CV.

All applications will be handled in the strictest confidence and unless you hear from us within 5 days of your application, please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Zenon Recruitment Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

Requirements:

• Proven experience as a skilled networker with the ability to influence and manage internal and external stakeholders through various approaches.
• Background in aviation catering unit operations.
• Commercial acumen and comfort in handling complex data for decision-making, budget preparation, and tracking.
• Excellent time management, planning, and organizational skills with a proactive approach to seeing tasks through to completion.
• Senior-level business experience, ideally with broad exposure to in-flight service management, delivery, and support services.
• Resilience under pressure and adaptability in ambiguous situations, consistently finding effective solutions.
• Ability to assess complex business scenarios and offer customer-centric recommendations while considering cost implications.
• Successful track record in project/programme management and delivering significant change in complex commercial and operational environments.
• Willingness to travel at short notice.
• Strong understanding of In-flight product and service supply chains and processes.