Category Lead

**Company Description**
IAG GBS (Global Business Services) is part of International Airlines Group, one of the world’s leading airline groups, with 546 aircraft flying to over 270 destinations, carrying more than 100 million passengers each year.

IAG GBS provides a plug and play platform of scalable, best in class procurement, finance and IT business services to IAG’s operating companies which include Aer Lingus, British Airways, IAG, IAG Cargo, IAG Loyalty, Iberia, Iberia Express, LEVEL and Vueling.

The company is headquartered in Krakow, and has operations in London, Madrid, Barcelona and Dublin.

Lead procurement for a sub-category within IT Infrastructure, Networks, and Hardware, ensuring effective, compliant, and strategic procurement across IAG operating companies (primarily airlines) while optimizing the Group’s buying power.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Develop and implement 3-5 year category plans and local/global sourcing strategies.
- Lead category planning, sourcing, risk management, and act as the main contact for senior stakeholders.
- Manage supplier relationships to mitigate financial, operational, and reputational risks.
- Drive commercial innovation and resolve complex supplier disputes.
- Support high-impact, high-spend projects and develop supplier markets.
- Ensure supplier performance management is effective and compliant.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to harmonize specifications and processes, maximizing Group efficiencies.
- Ensure procurement aligns with governance principles and Group policies.
- Build strong relationships with business leaders, finance, legal, and suppliers.
- Contribute to cross-departmental strategic and leadership activities.

**Key Interfaces**: Business leaders, Finance, Legal, and Suppliers.

**Infrastructure Overview**:
Infrastructure forms the backbone of an organization’s IT operations, encompassing hardware, software, networks, and cloud-based resources essential for delivering IT services. Its key components include:

- ** Networks and Connectivity**:
Systems like LANs, WANs, wireless networks, and internet connectivity, supported by hardware such as routers, switches, firewalls, and VPNs for secure and efficient communication.
- ** Hardware**:
Physical components, including servers, storage devices, and end-user devices (e.g., laptops, desktops, mobile devices), along with data center support systems like power and cooling infrastructure.
- ** Services and Platforms**:
Core IT services such as DNS, directory services, virtualization platforms, and security systems (e.g., firewalls, identity management).
- ** Cloud Infrastructure**:

- ** Management and Monitoring**:
Tools ensuring performance, scalability, and security, such as network monitoring, automation tools (e.g., Ansible, Terraform), and configuration management.

**Qualifications**
- Proven experience partnering with senior leaders and executives in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
- Extensive procurement expertise in global organizations, preferably in IT Infrastructure, Networks, and Hardware categories.
- Skilled in navigating change across people, processes, policies, and technology.
- Degree or strong knowledge of international procurement practices.
- Demonstrated commercial acumen, including contract negotiation and dispute resolution.
- Expertise across the commodity lifecycle, with awareness of market trends and supplier landscapes.
- Exceptional leadership skills to inspire, build, and lead high-performing teams.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with solid business and financial acumen.
- Skilled in influencing, aligning diverse views, and breaking barriers to foster effective collaboration.
- Adept at prioritizing and providing direction in ambiguous, high-pressure situations.
- Capable of thriving under tight deadlines, limited resources, and uncertainty.
- Open to travel and working across multiple locations.

**Additional Information**
What we offer
- The chance to enjoy a challenging career in an exciting, fast-moving environment in a dynamic industry
- The opportunity to work in a multi-cultural environment with great offices in many locations. We aim to provide all our people with a work/life balance, as well as the many benefits offered by a global organisation, including health insurance, pension and performance bonuses
- We are an equal opportunities employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law