Head of Contracts & Procurement

Job description / Role

Key Result Responsibilities
* Provides leadership and direction to plan and implement procurement strategies related to purchasing, inventory control and distribution of CAPEX, day-to-day operational items and other non-trading items for the Group.
* Designs, develops, implements, and monitors the performance of robust Procurement and Sourcing strategies that link to the core business deliverables, and support Air Arabia Group whilst leveraging the marketplace and supplier community to achieve large and sustainable cost reductions, long-term supply stability, and minimization of supply risk.
* Collaborates with stakeholders to develop and continuously enhance the procurement operational policies and procedures (SOPs), systems, process flow, and financial approach to manage the expectations of the Air Arabia Group from a sourcing and supply base perspective.
* Ensures proper implementation and adherence to procurement SOP s in the respective departments in line with standardization and in compliance with Air Arabia Group’s policies and procedures.
* Engages with internal stakeholders and utilizes available sources and financial data to identify sourcing needs and opportunities including supplier rationalization, tenders, and contractual specifications; creates sourcing schedules, and identifies suppliers/service providers.
* Advises the stakeholders and supports them to achieve effective sourcing solutions to cater for their procurement and operational items and equipment in a timely and cost effective manner whilst maintaining appropriate quality standards and specifications.
* Leads the market analysis, tendering process, contracts negotiation and management process for goods; ensures complex purchasing projects and services procured are conducted in an ethical manner consistent with the Air Arabia Group policies and applicable standards.
* Establishes and successfully manages global and local supplier relationships; develops and manages supply chains, solutions, and related improvement projects to maintain strong insights into the market conditions, explore new opportunities, and ensure constant reliable supply for Air Arabia needs.
* Partners with Stakeholders such as Finance and Legal to prepare function-related contracts and service level agreements and monitors the performance of the respective suppliers, vendors and service providers against agreed standards. Coordinates with other teams to evaluate the vendor/subcontractors RFQs when necessary.
* Manages the end-to-end life cycle of vendor relationship from procurement to performance management by ensuring proper negotiations take place with various suppliers and purchasing decisions are critically made to obtain maximum discount without compromising the quality of all products and services.
* Develops and implements short/long term purchasing and stock plans in line with the business needs and budget whilst maintaining the required stock levels.
* Efficiently manages the ad-hoc requirements when needed to reduce cost and maintain corporate image.
* Reviews, evaluates, verifies and manages annual Business unit/department wise CAPEX and operational items and other items budget requirements to ensure alignment with Group’s annual strategy and financial viability.
* Ensures that the CAPEX budget variations are kept within agreed +/- % of variation from original approved requirement.

Requirements

* Looking to recruit an experienced professional for Head of Contracts & Procurement position for Air Arabia Group

Qualifications (Academic, training, languages)
* Bachelor degree in Supply Chain Management/Economics/Business Management/Industrial Engineering or a Related Field, Especially Those Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS); a Master’s degree is preferred.
* Project Management certificate or alternately the proven corresponding working experience is essential.
* Cost Control, Compliance, Budgeting and Quality Assurance certificates and trainings are an added value and some may be treated as conditional for this role.
* Capable of using technology systems & tools; proficient in Microsoft suite and Procurement Software.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills: reporting,
* Capable of providing and presenting detailed presentations.
* Fluent in English Language, Arabic is a plus.

Work Experience
* 12+ years’ experience in any service industry, preferably Airlines, 5 years of which at least in a senior role leading the Procurement and/or Contracts department.
* Specialized industry knowledge in procurement & inventory management systems such as: Supply Management Software (Database Management, Inventory Management, Financial Analysis, Point of Sale, Procurement, Project Management, and Enterprise Resource Planning, and General Office Programs), etc.
* Experienced in acquisition, vendor relationship, and performance management pertaining to: tender submissions, contracts, and SLAs including those of technical nature.
* Understanding of Supply Chain Management Procedures and Logistics with previous experience in purchasing and inventory control.
* Experienced in designing, implementing, and monitoring policies, procedures and operating manuals as per business needs and in line with adopted regulations and approved quality standards.
* Hands on cost-estimation analysis and managing budgets expenditure.
* Employs technical expertise and interpersonal relations to interact with stakeholders, customers, vendors and external parties to execute new initiatives that support company’s objectives.
* High accuracy and attention to both results and details.

About the Company

Air Arabia (PJSC), listed on the Dubai Financial Market, is the Middle East and North Africa's first and leading low-cost carrier flying to over 100 destinations across the world. Air Arabia was the first airline to introduce the low-cost carrier concept in the region and is on a mission to serve all Arab countries and beyond, constantly undergoing aggressive route expansion, taking advantage of its ideally located hubs in the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Egypt and Jordan. Over the past thirteen years, Air Arabia, through continuous market research and customer feedback, provides a range of value added services to millions of passengers who chose to fly with Air Arabia's fleet of A320 aircraft. The airline commenced operations in October 2003 and achieved financial break-even from its very first year of services and has been profitable ever since.