Senior Category Lead

About FlightSafety International

FlightSafety International is the world’s premier professional aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators, visual systems and displays to commercial, government and military organizations. The company provides training for pilots, technicians and other aviation professionals from 167 countries and independent territories. FlightSafety operates the world’s largest fleet of advanced full-flight simulators and award-winning maintenance training at Learning Centers and training locations in the United States, Canada, France and the United Kingdom.

Purpose of Position

The Category Leader, Sr. is responsible for the development and execution of Supplier and Category strategies driving long-term improvements in service, quality, cost, delivery, and innovation, enhancing the competitive and commercial performance of FlightSafety International and its customer base. This role will have a focus on third-party labor categories including staff augmentation, IT project labor, IT managed services and strategic consulting. The Category Leader, Sr. will create and execute Category strategies by establishing and growing critical relationships with multiple senior level business partners both internal and external, executing sourcing events, conducting complex vendor negotiations and ensuring proper administration and execution of contracts. This role will also play a key role is defining and implementing third-party labor engagement policies and procedures and support communication and training efforts for key internal stakeholders.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The following duties are essential to the successful and satisfactory performance of this job. Other duties may be assigned.

•    Develop, maintain, and execute the portfolio of Category and Supplier Strategies.
•    Lead procurement and sourcing processes while maintaining strict compliance with FlightSafety International purchasing systems, processes, and policies. 
•    Apply tools, techniques, and processes to develop robust strategies, manage supplier relationships, identify areas of improvement and drive corrective actions.
•    Manage suppliers to meet business objectives, partnering with these suppliers to build capabilities that meet the expanding needs of the business through effective service, quality, cost, delivery, and innovation performance.
•    Build relationships with key stakeholders to ensure their objectives are supported through the understanding of the overall business needs.
•    Communicate with senior level team mates to share category strategies and key details around projects associated with the assigned categories.
•    Lead supplier sourcing by identifying, evaluating, and selecting vendors. 
•    Lead negotiations of terms and conditions with vendors to secure optimal pricing, service levels, and quality standards, leveraging your extensive experience to maximize value for the organization.
•    Manage the contract drafting and review process, acquiring the appropriate approvals prior to execution.
•    Facilitate effective supplier partnerships through proactive engagement, program management and key performance indicator (KPI) driven performance measurement to optimize collaboration and business outcomes.
•    Ensure supplier contract compliance and internal process compliance through regular monitoring and assessment. Identifies areas of improvement, recommend relevant training programs and communication strategies to increase compliance and optimize performance.
•    Stay informed on emerging technologies, market trends, and regulatory changes that may category procurement strategies and recommend adjustments as needed.

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Business Administration, or Procurement/Supply Chain Management

Minimum Experience

5 to 10 years professional experience in procurement, project management or supply chain management

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• High degree of financial and problem-solving ability.
• Analytical and data management skills, including the ability to development management reporting and executive presentations.
• Supplier relationship management experience.
• Strong understanding of procurement philosophies, methodologies, policies and procedures, required. 
• Ability to foster strong relationships with suppliers, teams, and senior leadership.
• Experience with drafting, negotiating, and managing contractual agreements.
• Ability to effectively communicate with and influence stakeholders at senior levels of the organization. 
• Proven relationship-building skills internally and externally.
• Proficiency in data analysis and market research techniques, using insights to inform strategic decision-