Senior Category Manager-Security Equipment

Description

Join Heathrow as a Senior Category Manager - Security Equipment and play a key role in shaping the procurement approach for critical security screening equipment and maintenance services that support the safe and efficient operation of one of the world's busiest airports.

This is an exciting opportunity to work within one of the world's most dynamic and high-profile operational environments. Working at the intersection of procurement, technology, infrastructure and security, you will lead complex commercial initiatives that support Heathrow's operational and security priorities. Combining market insight, strategic sourcing expertise and a passion for innovation, you will drive supplier performance and influence decisions across a critical portfolio.

This is a unique opportunity to influence major procurement decisions within a globally recognised organisation. Collaborating with senior stakeholders, suppliers and cross functional teams, you will develop category strategies, lead sourcing activities and support the delivery of programmes that enhance operational resilience, performance and passenger experience.

Success in this role will be measured by your ability to build trusted stakeholder relationships, develop innovative commercial solutions, manage supplier performance and apply market insight and procurement expertise to deliver sustainable business value. We are looking for a strategic and commercially minded procurement professional who enjoys solving complex challenges, influencing decision making and driving continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Developing and delivering innovative category strategies that leverage market insight, emerging technologies and commercial best practice to create value and support Heathrow's operational objectives.


• Leading sourcing and procurement activities across high-value spend categories, from early market engagement and commercial analysis through to contract award and implementation.


• Managing category pipelines and procurement priorities, ensuring business requirements, risks and opportunities are effectively addressed.


• Building influential relationships with stakeholders across Heathrow to align procurement strategies, governance requirements and business objectives.


• Providing commercial management and advice on sourcing approaches, route to market strategies, funding models, supplier selection and risk management.


• Developing effective commercial agreements and supplier performance frameworks, ensuring contracts deliver operational resilience, value for money and continuous improvement.


• Managing strategic supplier relationships and governance processes to maximise value, drive innovation and mitigate risk throughout the contract lifecycle.


• Coaching and supporting colleagues while promoting collaboration, procurement excellence and best practice across the wider function.

Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Ability to develop and implement category strategies, manage procurement pipelines and deliver measurable commercial value through strategic sourcing and supplier management.


• Strong relationship building and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders, align priorities, challenge constructively and drive business outcomes across a complex stakeholder environment.


• Experience leading complex sourcing activities, commercial evaluations and negotiations across high value spend categories, delivering value while balancing operational and business requirements.


• Ability to manage strategic supplier relationships, contractual performance, governance and continuous improvement initiatives to maximise value and mitigate risk.


• Strong commercial judgement with the ability to identify, evaluate and manage commercial, operational and supplier risk while ensuring compliance with procurement governance and regulatory requirements.


• Ability to leverage market intelligence, supplier capability assessments and emerging trends to identify opportunities, drive innovation and improve business performance.


• Ability to lead, coach and develop a small team whilst fostering a collaborative, high performing and customer focused culture.


• Ability to work seamlessly across teams, promoting knowledge sharing, mutual support and a one team approach to delivering business outcomes.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• MCIPS qualified (or able to demonstrate equivalent professional capability).


• Experience procuring operational equipment and service contracts.


• Experience operating within a highly regulated or operationally critical focused environment.


• Experience working with complex procurement and contracting models, including framework agreements and work packages.


• Experience delivering commercial solutions that meet business affordability targets and operational requirements.


• Experience leading and managing supplier partnerships.


• Experience in people management.