Aircraft Procurement and Trading Manager

Reports to: Head of Procurement Aircraft Trading

The Aircraft Trading division of the Procurement and Aircraft Trading Team (APD) is responsible for key supplier relationships between the group airlines and aircraft manufacturers, aircraft operating lessors, flight simulator manufacturers and flight training providers, as well as end-of-life aircraft retirement and disposal activities. The teams scope covers new and existing business activities and requires involvement and coordination with internal and external stakeholders through all stages of product and service evaluation, acquisition, negotiation and contracting along with longer term contract and relationship management.

• Management of key supplier relationships and procurement activity on behalf of group airlines (Cathay Pacific Airways (passenger and cargo), HK Express, Air Hong Kong) with particular focus on the procurement categories of flight training devices and both flight and technical training 
• Lead the implementation of strategies for the acquisition, maintenance, update and disposal of flight training devices, the procurement of flight and technical training as well as the leasing of third-party training capacity taking into account key internal stakeholders such as flight operations. 
• Lead and coordinate the preparation of and conduct of requests for proposals and full scale commercial and contractual negotiations as well as their amendments and restructuring.
• Taking the lead in the identification and evaluation of competing product and service offerings, including running complex multi-party tenders through negotiation and contracting. 
• Supplier relationship management throughout the duration of the business relationship, ensuring key supplier performance is tracked and leading regular business review meetings to make sure key suppliers remain accountable for their quality and performance. 
• Identify and implement value extraction opportunities from the supplier relationship, contributing to and driving cross-functional category strategies and steering groups. 
• Identification and delivery of year-on-year value and procurement savings through ensuring that key suppliers are continually delivering relevant goods and services that meet dynamic expectations. 
• Provision of transactional support and coordination for all intra-group activities involving the categories of flight training devices and both flight and technical training. 
• Internal and external direction setting and reporting, with the ability to support and influence the decision-making process and senior management. 
• Advising the business on the latest spanet developments in the simulation and training spheres. 
• Overseeing the rollout and effective usage of outsourcing for appropriate procurement activity.
• Drive innovation in the category in terms of sourcing approaches and leverage the introduction of new technology to streamline and improve in-category processes. 

• Experienced professional in airline procurement with sound knowledge of the aviation simulation and training equipment industry and demonstrated ability to define and implement strategies. 
• University graduate - ideally in the business, legal, technical or finance domains - with at least 7-10 years of relevant industry experience and a proven track record.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to evaluate competing product and service offers including financial modelling skills in support of decision-making processes. 
• Experience in contract origination and negotiation, with and without legal support, and ability to express oneself verbally and in writing, identifying and mitigating risk exposure for the group. 
• Comprehension of procurement methodology and processes, including strategic category and supplier management. Prior experience with the Ariba platform will be an advantage. 
• Excellent people and presentation skills, including the ability to negotiate and influence internal and external stakeholders. Able to develop strong relationships with suppliers quickly.
• Ability to work independently, under pressure, and to tight deadlines. 
• Approachable and decisive with high attention to quality and detail.

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