Head of Department Jobs in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Key Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Supply Chain team, fostering collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Define and communicate the department’s vision, goals, and strategic objectives in alignment with company priorities.
Provide leadership in the development of procurement, logistics, and inventory management strategies to optimize supply chain operations.

Oversee the procurement process for all materials, components, and parts required for aerospace propulsion systems.
Strategic Sourcing: Develop and implement strategic sourcing strategies to ensure the procurement of high-quality, cost-effective materials from a diverse and reliable supplier base. Identify and evaluate new suppliers, ensuring alignment with long-term business goals.
Supplier Relationship Management: Foster and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key suppliers. Continuously assess supplier performance, conduct supplier evaluations, and establish performance metrics to ensure that suppliers meet or exceed quality, delivery, and cost expectations.
Negotiate contracts and manage supplier performance, ensuring compliance with established agreements and quality expectations.
Mitigate risks associated with supplier disruptions and ensure robust contingency plans are in place.

Ensure optimal inventory levels are maintained, balancing the need to minimize costs while avoiding stockouts that could disrupt production.
Lead logistics operations to ensure timely transportation and delivery of components and finished products, minimizing transportation delays.
Oversee distribution strategies for finished products to customers, ensuring timely and accurate deliveries.

Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Product Management teams to develop accurate supply chain forecasts based on production schedules and customer demand.
Align procurement activities with production timelines, ensuring materials are available when needed and that supply chain plans are responsive to changing demands.

Proactively identify and evaluate potential supply chain risks, including geopolitical, supplier, and logistical risks.
Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies, ensuring business continuity during supply chain disruptions.
Lead efforts to diversify the supplier base and evaluate the capabilities of existing suppliers to ensure reliability.

Drive cost savings initiatives across procurement, inventory, and logistics operations.
Work closely with finance and senior leadership to manage budgets, reduce costs per unit, and optimize inventory holding costs.
Implement lean practices and continuous improvement processes to increase efficiency and reduce waste across the supply chain.

Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory standards, including those set by FAA, EASA, and other aerospace certification bodies.
Work closely with the Quality Assurance and Engineering teams to ensure that procured materials and components meet safety and quality standards.
Monitor supplier adherence to technical, regulatory, and quality standards, taking corrective action when necessary.

Foster strong collaboration with internal teams, including Manufacturing, Final Assembly Line, Engineering, and Product Management, to align supply chain efforts with operational needs.
Maintain transparent communication with senior management regarding supply chain performance, including procurement progress, inventory levels, supplier performance, and risk management activities.
Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including suppliers, logistics providers, and customers, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of products.

On-Time Delivery: Achieving key performance indicators for on-time material deliveries, accuracy of shipments, and alignment with production timelines.
Cost Efficiency: Meeting budgetary targets for procurement, inventory management, and logistics, with clear cost reductions and optimization initiatives.
Supplier Performance and Quality: Maintaining high standards in supplier quality, ensuring low defect rates and adherence to contracts.
Inventory Management: Ensuring optimal inventory turnover, with a focus on reducing stockouts and excess inventory.
Risk Management: Effectively mitigating supply chain risks, resolving disruptions quickly, and implementing business continuity plans.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that all materials and components comply with aerospace regulatory standards, with no lapses in quality or certification.

Qualifications and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).
At least 10 years of experience in supply chain management, with a focus on procurement, logistics, and inventory management in a manufacturing or aerospace environment.
Proven experience in leadership roles, with a track record of building and leading high-performance teams.
Expertise in Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Relationship Management: Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic sourcing strategies, negotiate favorable contracts, and build long-term supplier partnerships that drive performance and cost reductions.
In-depth knowledge of aerospace industry regulations, including FAA, EASA, and other certification requirements.
Strong negotiation, contract management, and supplier relationship skills.
Advanced knowledge of supply chain planning software, ERP systems, and data analysis tools.
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to assess and mitigate supply chain risks.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior leadership, internal teams, and external partners.

Head of Department Full Time