Head of Supply Chain

• Downstream Contracting and Commercial Alignment
  Work with the Head of Commercial to establish and maintain appropriate downstream contracting arrangements, ensuring flow-down terms and back-to-back agreements are in place where required
  Ensure downstream supplier commitments are appropriately aligned with upstream customer obligations, managing any gaps or misalignments proactively
  Provide commercial input into supplier negotiations, drawing on an understanding of customer contract requirements and organisational risk appetite
  Support the commercial team on bid and proposal activity where supply chain inputs, costs, or subcontractor arrangements are required

• Supply Chain Strategy and Innovation
  Develop and implement supply chain strategies that support efficient, scalable, and cost-effective delivery of the organisation’s growth agenda
  Identify innovative approaches to supplier engagement, sourcing, and delivery that enable the organisation to remain competitive and agile in a fast-moving market
  Assess and manage supply chain risk, developing mitigation strategies to protect the organisation from exposure arising from supplier dependencies, capacity constraints, or market conditions

• Policies, Governance and Group Interface
  Develop, implement, and maintain supply chain policies, procedures, and systems appropriate to the needs of a growing international organisation
  Navigate NATS Group governance frameworks and approval processes, ensuring supply chain activity is appropriately steered and compliant with Group requirements
  Interface with NATS Group Supply Chain to establish clear processes and service level agreements, enabling the Growth organisation to efficiently and effectively leverage Group ISO certification, preferred supplier arrangements, and shared supply chain resources in a proportionate manner
  Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, ethical, and sustainability requirements across the supply chain
  Maintain accurate supplier records, documentation, and audit trails to support governance and compliance obligations

Essential Skills and Experience:

Essential:

• Significant experience in a senior supply chain, procurement, or vendor management role, ideally within a technology, engineering, aerospace, or similarly complex international environment
• Proven track record of managing the full supplier lifecycle, including sourcing, negotiation, onboarding, performance management, and exit
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience negotiating supplier contracts, rates, and terms and structuring downstream contracting arrangements
• Experience developing and implementing supply chain strategies, policies, and governance frameworks, ideally in a scaling or greenfield environment
• Ability to build and operate a supply chain function independently, with a self-starting mindset and comfort working from a blank sheet with limited precedent
• Experience working in a matrix organisation, with a proven ability to drive outcomes through influence rather than direct authority
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate ambiguity, complexity, and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Experience interfacing with Group or parent organisation governance structures and leveraging shared services or preferred supplier frameworks
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with confidence engaging at a senior level across commercial, operational, and finance functions

Desirable:

• Experience in aviation, air traffic management, aerospace, or large-scale government or defence supply chains
• Familiarity with ISO certification frameworks and the role of supply chain in maintaining organisational accreditation
• Knowledge of export controls, trade compliance, or regulatory requirements relevant to international technology supply chains
• Experience managing hardware procurement or technology supply chains in an international context
• Professional certification in supply chain or procurement (e.g. CIPS, APICS/ASCM or equivalent)
• Availability and willingness to travel internationally as required

Additional Vacancy Information:

We 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? - NATS

Please note: All staff at NATS are subject to UK Security Vetting and Clearance (SC) and must maintain valid clearance throughout employment. We are unable to progress applications where an applicant does not meet eligibility requirements for clearance. For further guidance click here Security Clearance - 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.

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, visible or invisible disability. Individuals that bring different perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds help us be at the forefront of our industry.