Supply Chain Buyer (IT Category)

NATS is the UK’s leading air navigation service provider, handling over 2.4 million flights each year. We provide air traffic control services from two control centres and at airports around the UK. We also provide a wide range of commercial products and solutions internationally. Our people are at the heart of our purpose to advance aviation and keep the skies safe.

Job Purpose/Overview

This role will support the implementation of the category strategies for a selected portfolio of spend across all of the NATS’ businesses. This will include undertaking demand management and sourcing activity to support delivery of category objectives, providing data analysis to support the category in identifying opportunities to enhance value and providing operational support for purchase order, supplier and contract management.

Other Duties

• Undertake end to end sourcing activity for the IT Category areas, in accordance with NATS’ Supply Chain process, using a variety of sourcing options including e-auctions.
• Take responsibility for specific sub-categories and/or suppliers at the direction of the Supply Chain manager and be the interface internally and externally for those relationships. Ensure all contracts are legally & ethically compliant.
• Undertake effective supplier on-boarding and due diligence activity.
• Provide support for order management activity, including the creation, maintenance and management of catalogues, and to act as the key interface between the category, stakeholders and Supply Chain Services, to resolve issues and identify efficiencies.
• Provide data and reports to the category team, and use analysis to identify opportunities for potential cost savings and transactional efficiencies.
• Renew Outline Agreements and create contracts in Ariba.
• Resolve operational day-to-day supplier related queries and issues.
• Act as the front line SCM interface for NATS’ internal customers and suppliers for the nominated category.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of the end to end Supply Chain process, developing strong working relationships with Supply Chain teams and business stakeholders, to provide support and optimise category performance, as well as continually enhance value for money (risk, cost and performance).
• Actively support supply chain projects and initiatives.

Essential Skills and Experience

• A Supply Chain & Procurement professional with knowledge of Supply Chain and purchase order systems and processes, in particular SAP, Ariba and e-sourcing systems.
• Ideally with indirect category procurement experience in a centralised procurement function, focussed on IT.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages e.g. Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint.
• Experience working with internal and supplier stakeholders.
• Membership or working towards membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. CIPS)
• Demonstrable knowledge and skill in:
  • Effective engagement with key stakeholders.
  • Tail-end spend management and tactical sourcing, including e-auctions and negotiation.
  • Category strategy development
  • Spend analysis and reporting.
  • Delivery of ‘bottom line’ savings.
  • Within “blue chip” & FTSE 100 companies.

Management

• Provides expert advice and guidance on end to end supply chain processes.
• Acts as key interface with stakeholders across NATS and its suppliers.

Spend Information

• Responsible for managing up to £2m of tactical spend.
• Supply Chain delegated authority of £50k per transaction.
• Holds contractual responsibility for the whole lifecycle of contracts within spend remit.

Targets

• Responsible for:
  • Delivering savings against the agreed Supply Chain savings methodology.
  • Ensuring NATS’ governance requirements are adhered to.
  • Ensuring compliance to Supply Chain process and policies.
  • Delivery of personal objectives related to projects

Additional Vacancy Information:

Please submit a Covering Letter and CV when applying for this role.

We are proud to offer a fantastic total reward package to help you thrive both personally and professionally – for more information on what NATS can offer you please visit – Why NATS?

We have adopted agile working to provide greater flexibility and increased choice over working arrangements, with the opportunity for this role to work in our modern office facilities as well as remotely. We also welcome discussions on flexible and part-time working arrangements. Find out more here.

If you share our passion to advance aviation and keep the skies safe – we would like to hear from you whatever your age, sex, race, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, visible or invisible disability. Individuals that bring different perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds help us be at the forefront of our industry.

Apply Now