Category Lead, Ground Handling

Job Summary

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Commercial Services, the Category Lead, Ground Handling will be the primary individual responsible for sourcing Porter’s Ground Handling services as well as other airport operational goods and services.

 

This individual contributor role is a new and exciting position on the procurement team. We are looking for an individual with strong category leadership and negotiation skills and someone who is a self-starter with a results-oriented approach. The successful candidate will have a solid background in Ground Handling with experience obtained from either a procurement or airport operational role, aligning with our broader goal of driving innovation and efficiency across the organization.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and Implement Category Strategies: Create and implement comprehensive category strategies specifically tailored to Ground Handling including Passenger and Ramp handling operations and other airport operations-related spend categories. Increase amount of spend under management via spend analysis and stakeholder engagement.
• Manage Procurement Projects of Varying Complexities: Handle procurement projects ranging from low complexity initiatives to high complexity initiatives such an enterprise-wide Ground Handling RFP. Present RFP outcomes and business cases to Porter’s Senior Leadership Team.
• Conduct Complex Supplier Negotiations: Lead and manage complex negotiations with Ground Handling service providers and other airport operational suppliers to achieve the best value for Porter.
• Contracting: Negotiate and draft IATA Standard Ground Handling Agreements and other airport operational vendor contracts, ensuring compliance with terms and mitigating risks.
• Vendor Management: Oversee relationships with current and prospective suppliers, ensuring they meet Porter's standards for quality, cost and delivery. Track and analyze vendor performance, addressing any issues and implementing improvement plans as necessary. Expand suppliers’ network to ensure competitive proposals are received.
• Business Collaboration: Collaborate closely with internal teams such as Flight Operations, Legal, Finance and Accounts Payable to ensure seamless procurement processes and integration and work on spend initiatives. Actively participate in Porter’s Safety Management System (SMS) including reporting hazards and incidents encountered in daily operations; understand, comply and promote Porter’s Safety Policy.
• Liaison - Serve as liaison between vendors and internal stakeholders to facilitate problem resolution.
• Monitor Market Trends: Stay informed about market trends, advancements in technology and best practices in procurement to maintain a competitive edge including attending industry-related events and frequent interaction with key market players.
• Cost Management: Maintain understanding of business budgets and challenges, develop total-cost-of-ownership models, ensure cost-effective purchasing decisions and financial accountability. Identifying cost-saving opportunities within existing supplier relationships. Create and maintain purchasing tracking models.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure all procurement activities comply with corporate policies and regulatory requirements, managing risks effectively.
• Reporting and Analysis: Prepare and present detailed reports on procurement activities, vendor performance and cost savings to senior leadership.

Behavioural Competencies

• Concern for Safety: Identifying hazardous or potentially hazardous situations and taking appropriate action to maintain a safe environment for self and others.

• Teamwork: Working collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals.

• Passenger/Customer Service: Providing service excellence to internal and/or external customers (passengers).

• Initiative: Dealing with situations and issues proactively and persistently, seizing opportunities that arise.

• Results Focus: Focusing efforts on achieving high quality results consistent with the organization’s standards.

• Fostering Communication: Listening and communicating openly, honestly, and respectfully with different audiences, promoting dialogue and building consensus.

Qualifications

• University degree in supply chain, logistics, operations, business administration, finance, commerce, engineering or similar field is desired
• Previous experience in ground handling and airport operational services procurement or operations
• Strong business acumen
• Assertive negotiation, leveraging and networking skills
• Solid aptitude for data analysis and decision-making
• Superior verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly
• Strong leadership capabilities with demonstrated ability to meet deadlines
• Working knowledge of Google software (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and Microsoft suite of applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with an emphasis on Excel
• Preference given for working knowledge of Coupa and Microsoft Dynamics GP or other P2P/ERP systems

Location

Toronto Downtown Office (250 Yonge Street) #LI-Hybrid

Company Description