Head of IT Category

OverviewClosing Date - Monday 8th December 2025NATS 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.Purpose of the RoleTo lead the creation and implementation of category strategies for a selected portfolio of spend across all of the NATS' businesses. To prioritise and manage end to end supply chain activity to support delivery of business and category objectives. To lead the performance management for nominated supplier contracts. To deputise for the corresponding Head of Supply Chain (line manager) as required.AccountabilitiesLead and prioritise team resources to effectively deliver end to end supply chain activity and projects to time and budget, in line with the agreed category strategies, for defined areas, in accordance with NATS' governance, policy and process.Define, create, implement and regularly review global, business wide Supply Chain category and commodity strategies in line with NATS' business strategy for nominated spend areas.Ensure effective supplier on-boarding is undertaken, supplier capability and resilience are continuously reviewed, and appropriate due diligence is undertaken, maintained and monitored across defined spend area.Manage category performance in terms of delivering demonstrable value improvement including tangible cost savings, risk, service and quality, across spend in remit.Ensure that contractual relationships with suppliers within spend remit, are developed, managed and measured in accordance with Supply Chain's SPRM framework and that appropriate and auditable standards, controls and governance frameworks are in place and continually maintained. Ensure all contracts are legally & ethically compliant.Ensure category, contractual and project targets and objectives in terms of cost, delivery, quality and service, are met and reported as appropriate.Build and develop strong, collaborative internal and external relationships (in line with ISO 44001 standards) at all levels, to provide support and guidance, ensure business requirements are understood, managed and fulfilled and optimise category performance.Provide effective coaching, mentoring and leadership to team members.Lead on Project and / or bid specific supply chain activity aligned to category strategies.Lead or actively support general supply chain projects and initiatives as required.Qualifications, Experience, Skills and Personal QualitiesA Supply Chain & Procurement professional with extensive category and contract management experience.Qualified to Degree / MBA level with membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. CIPS).Well versed in the application of best practice procurement processes and tools.Excellent planning and organisational skills, including project management.Demonstrable knowledge and skill in :Multi-million pound complex contract negotiations across all areas of spend (typically up to £80m).Leading cross-functional teams and projects.Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with proven ability of influencing at senior levels.Delivery of value improvement and specifically 'bottom line' savings.Within "blue chip" & FTSE 100 companies.Regulated business requirements.Demonstrable behaviours aligned with level 3 of the NATS' 'Our Behaviours' framework.Additional Vacancy InformationThis role requires a minimum of 2-3 days per week on site presence at our office in Whiteley, Hampshire, (as business needs dictate) and we require candidates to live within a reasonable commuting distance from this location.DimensionsDirect ReportsSenior Supply Chain Manager : Category Team Leader for our Corporate and Commercial Sourcing team. The role has up to 6 direct reports and oversees all third party spend in corporate and commercial areas.ManagementProvides expert leadership, advice and guidance on end to end supply chain processes.Acts as key interface with all users of the specified category and associated contracts across NATS.BudgetsResponsible for managing up to £80m of complex, technical spend.Supply Chain delegated authority of £1m per transaction.Holds contractual responsibility for the whole lifecycle of contracts within spend remit.TargetsResponsible for :Delivering defined proportion of Supply Chain savings target against the agreed Supply Chain savings methodology.Ensuring NATS' governance requirements are adhered to.Ensuring compliance to Supply Chain process and policies.Additional Vacancy InformationWe 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. 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.Department : Commercial & CorporateLocation : Whiteley, Hampshire, GB, PO15 7FLCountry / Region : GBPostal Code : PO15 7FLJob Code : 903Salary Range : £82,000 - £92,000 + additional Car allowance, BUPADate : 1 Oct 2025 #J-18808-Ljbffr