Junior Sourcing Specialist

Join to apply for the Junior Sourcing Specialist role at dnata

Dnata is one of the world’s largest air and travel services providers. We provide a comprehensive range of inflight catering, onboard retail, supply chain and logistics services at all major and regional airports across the UK. Dnata Catering offers expertly crafted inflight catering services, delivering fresh and high-quality meals. As the leading Halal caterer in the UK, we also provide tailored experiences to meet each customer’s unique needs and lead in VIP catering, offering bespoke inflight services to private and charter clients.

The Role

Working alongside our team of procurement specialists, your role is key as you take responsibility for the strategic sourcing and category management of accountable categories. You will develop clear category management strategies and maximize value across the end‑to‑end product selection and sourcing process, emphasizing long‑term fit over short‑term price focus.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the senior team in delivering the overall procurement business strategy, with direct accountability for specific categories.
• Develop strategic category plans to drive commercial, quality and service objectives of the business.
• Implement consistent and robust Supplier Performance Management for category vendors, driving continuous improvement initiatives, forecasts/re‑forecasts and ongoing relationship development.
• Negotiate and manage commercial terms for all suppliers within scope, integrating into central contractual agreements to synergize benefits and maximize sustainable value.
• Consolidate expenditure and suppliers where appropriate to maximize volumes and minimize complexity.
• Negotiate and draft contracts for all key, accountable vendors.
• Use technology to drive procurement best practice such as electronic tendering and auctions.
• Ensure suppliers report contracted SLAs and KPIs, putting in place recovery measures for failures.
• Enhance procurement practices in sourcing and supplier management through implementation of the Scan market e‑Sourcing platform.
• Engage with key internal stakeholders, presenting opportunities and impacts associated with supply chain optimisation and following up on delivery queries and shortages with suppliers.
• Support the menu development process for accountable airlines in collaboration with internal stakeholders through new product/service sourcing and pricing.
• Adhere to company compliance procedures and develop and implement functional processes, guidelines, policies and projects related to accountable category activities.

Required Skills

• Ideally sourcing and category management experience within indirect food production.
• Market knowledge and procurement best practice.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to influence key decision makers.
• Experience delivering change, preferably qualified in project management such as Prince
  2.
• Track record of commercial acumen.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Highly analytical and methodical approach.
• Ability to structure workload and plan and multi‑task efficiently.

Preferred Skills

• Competent with e‑Procurement platforms and IT solutions.
• CIPS qualification or relevant industry experience.

What’s in it for you?

• An opportunity to be part of the Emirates global family.
• Free breakfast, lunch and dinner on site.
• Free tea and coffee.
• Simply health Plan.
• Refer a Friend Scheme.
• Discounted gym membership at over 2000 gyms nationwide.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Opportunity to enhance learning through our in‑house apprenticeship programme.

If you’re invited to interview, please let us know if any adjustments we can make to ensure you are cleared for take‑off and able to perform at your best. We’re committed to making the recruitment journey as smooth and inclusive as possible.

Our roles attract high volumes of applications, so it may take us a little time to taxi through them all. We aim to respond to every application within 14 days. If you haven’t heard from us by then—or if you have any questions about this or other opportunities—feel free to contact a member of our Talent crew for further assistance.

We appreciate your patience while we navigate the runway!

Associate

Full‑time

Purchasing, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing

Airlines and Aviation, Food and Beverage Manufacturing, Manufacturing

Hounslow, England, United Kingdom