Commercial Manager

About the job

Together, we’re working to welcome millions more passengers, while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability. At Heathrow, you can be part of this – providing solutions that make every journey better for millions each year. That means ensuring we meet the changing needs of the passengers, colleagues and partners who use our airport to work, travel, trade, shop, eat, explore and connect. Our Solutions team covers project management, process improvement, business change, technology, cyber defence, masterplanning, infrastructure and procurement. It brings together people with the skills to deliver prestigious and often large-scale projects, from transforming terminals to making big reductions in our carbon emissions.

Every day will test your skills and give you the opportunity to make your mark. You might be working with the technology and data that power our city within a city, driving vital commercial agreements with everyone from retailers to airlines, or improving the unique infrastructure that includes everything from 200 buildings to 250 HV substations. It’s a collaborative environment, where you can rely on the support of the experts around you as you take on projects you’ll both take pride in and feel passionate about.

Job Description

Working in Procurement at Heathrow offers a unique environment - from baggage systems and terminal buildings to runways and underground train systems, it’s a city that never sleeps. As well as helping to keep our 24/7 operation running smoothly, your work will support our £multi-million capital investment programmes to deliver transformative improvements.

You will manage procurement of infrastructure, helping Heathrow get value for money through obtaining contracts for goods, services and works.

You’ll play your part in delivering on our sustainability and decarbonisation objectives, as we work towards net zero in the air and on the ground. Maximising value, minimising risk, revenue generation and improved airport operations are all central to every procurement contract we design. This means collaboration is key. Our team works with 1,500 active suppliers from across 19 countries, 40% of which are SMEs.

The ideal candidate will have a background in end-to-end delivery sourcing, procurement, implementation and contract management(pre and post), whilst demonstrating strong collaboration with stakeholders to create procurement strategies. You will have experience working with pre and post contracts strategies in a commercial environment, managing supplier partnerships and working cross-matrix to deliver projects to meet business affordability targets.

Your role will involve

• Leading and influencing the programmes strategic sourcing activities for large value, complex spend areas to ensure they align with the broader business objective and market strategies.
• Ensuring innovative delivery sourcing, procurement, implementation and contract management but with a commercial sensible approach and an aim to add value.
• Constructively challenging business plans and strategy documents to ensure the robustness of the approach that maximises commercial opportunity and mitigates risk.
• Collaborating with stakeholders on managing contracts and supplier relationships to maximise commercial and contractual benefits.
• Supporting and maintaining all necessary agreed processes for supplier management, claims management, benefits and savings and continuous improvement targets whilst meeting all contract, regulatory, risk-reward and exit strategy requirements.
• Improving passenger service with consideration of accessibility, ease of experience and sustainable offerings.

These Skills Are Essential

• Holding or working towards a professional qualification (MRICS, CIPS, APM, CEng or a willingness to commit to pursuing).
• Demonstrable commercial and contract management experience (pre and post contract essential)
• Experience in a variety of construction based contract environments, ideally in NEC-based contract environments, using a range of reimbursement models.
• Evidence of project delivery to meet business affordability targets.
• Ability to demonstrate relationship building with internal and external stakeholders/suppliers.

Ideally, you'll also have:

• Experience managing teams and motivating staff to deliver to a high level.
• Experience in an airport environment.

About Us

There’s something so special about working at the world’s most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air of excitement. Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities.

Every day, you’ll discover a world full of fresh possibilities and end the day buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences. A world full of pride for what we do and no end of exciting career prospects to explore.

It brings out the best in all of us. And inspires everyone to deliver on our ambitious plans. Together, we’re working to welcome millions more passengers while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability.

Our rewards

We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. As well as performance-based annual bonuses and our longer-term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances and market-leading pensions. With family friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools, we’ll support you to be at your best inside and outside work.

Working Location

Our Hybrid working approach offers the opportunity for colleagues in some roles to work from home for an average of two days a week, providing the flexibility to work in an agile way whilst ensuring we deliver for the operational needs of Heathrow . Working arrangements vary from team to team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You’ll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.