Senior Category Manager

Overview

In this role, you lead end-to-end sourcing and commercial management for critical engineering services at Heathrow, shaping supplier partnerships to deliver long-term value and strong operational performance. You will own high-value tender activity from market engagement to mobilisation, collaborating with Engineering, Legal, Insurance and Finance to meet governance and regulatory requirements. The role focuses on resilience, innovation and cost-effective outcomes for the airport’s engineering needs. You will work with cross-functional teams to drive impact across safety, reliability and sustainability initiatives.

Pay / Benefits

• competitive salaries
• performance-based bonuses
• Share in Success Bonus plans
• generous annual leave
• market-leading pensions
• private health insurance

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies aligned to engineering and operations
• Lead end-to-end sourcing for high-value spend (RFI/RFP, evaluation, negotiation, contract award, mobilisation)
• Shape commercial agreements with clear KPIs, SLAs and pricing models
• Advise on contracting routes, CAPEX vs OPEX, affordability and risk
• Build and manage strategic supplier relationships, governance and continuous improvement
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Legal, Insurance and Finance to ensure compliant sourcing decisions

Key requirements

• Significant category management and strategic sourcing experience in engineering, infrastructure, FM or similar environments
• Proven track record in leading complex tenders to implementation with measurable value and risk management
• Strong commercial judgement; experience drafting/negotiating contracts and using various procurement models
• Credible supplier relationship management and stakeholder influencing; ability to lead and coach others
• MCIPS qualification (desirable)

• stakeholder influencing
• problem-solving
• leadership and coaching
• category management
• end-to-end procurement
• contracting models

…