Manager, Vendor Management

Finnair is a diverse community of professionals who work ambitiously with a big heart and commitment. A strong safety culture is our priority and at the core of our everyday work, never taking it for granted. We are committed to doing our share in solving the climate challenge by determinedly following our science-based pathway to decarbonize our operations. We find meaning in our purpose: to enrich lives by bridging the world, and our identity and service mindset stems from our iconic brand’s Nordic heritage. Our values – Commitment to care, Working Together, Simplicity and Courage – guide us in everything we do.

Operations division's task is to execute Finnair's flight operations safely, economically and in a reliable manner. Finnair Technical Operations is responsible for the airworthiness of Finnair fleet. The key objectives of Technical Operations are safety, reliable flight operations and cost-efficient maintenance processes. The Supply Chain Management team integrates the subcontracted services portfolio to ensure seamless and performant material flows.

We are now looking for business relationships-oriented and enthusiastic

Manager, Vendor Management   in Supply Chain Management

to work closely with key vendors, having overall responsibility for the quality, delivery and cost effectiveness of the vendors’ services. As the owner of complex service contracts, you will be responsible for the tactical steering of key vendors and the management of the contractual framework. To develop contracted services and support the internal business areas, you are responsible to drive overall performance development initiatives and progress tracking with stakeholders in a wide matrix organization. Furthermore, your role is to support line managers when implementing continuous improvement actions.

Main responsibilities:

• Lead and own supplier relationship management towards external vendors.

• Ensure and report upon continuous performance in accordance with the contractual framework.

• Track and execute commercial actions as part of the commercial ownership.

• Develop the contractual framework of subcontracted services portfolio.

• Take tactical steering decisions and implement the related actions in collaboration with the vendors.

• Run request for proposal processes and lead contract negotiations.

• Implement and track the success of improvement actions in liaison with internal and external stakeholders to enhance performance, quality, availability or cost efficiency.

• Support business development to explore business expansion across new business initiatives.

We expect you to have:

• Strong negotiation skills and ability to build and develop successful vendor relationships,

• Strong managerial mindset with a skill to navigate in a complex business environment

• Knowledge of procurement, contract management and continuous development,

• Excellent team spirit and cross-functional cooperation skills,

• Ability to influence people and drive change initiatives effectively,

• Analytical approach and business-oriented mindset to ensure overall added value for Finnair,

• Ability to challenge the status quo, think creatively and develop convincing innovative ideas,

• Ability to manage workload, define successful action paths and meet deadlines,

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English language on advanced negotiation level,

• Bachelor or Master degree from relevant field (commercial or technical),

• Ability to travel.

In addition we consider the following skills as an advantage:

Knowledge of aircraft maintenance processes and related airworthiness authority requirements, work experience in aircraft component maintenance business, in particular flight hour or cost-per-landing services and expert knowledge of data analytics and related tools (MS Excel, Power BI, Snowflake, or similar).

We offer you an exciting opportunity to work in the fast-changing aviation and international travel industry in a culture that drives and enables professional development and continuous improvement. You will be supported by internally highly rated supervisory work with modern leadership practices that we constantly develop.

We are happy to enable our employees to enrich their lives and fulfil their travel dreams by offering a wide leisure travel benefit. We also support the health and wellbeing of our employees through our own Sickness Fund insurance benefit, gyms around the Finnair campus and activities organized by our hobby clubs.

For additional information about the role, please contact Eike Pauli, Head of Supply Chain Management, by email: [email protected].

Please submit your application as soon as possible, but no later than on Sunday 14 th of July 2024 .

Please note that the hiring process includes a pre-employment drug test and a security clearance.

Our people are key to our success and the foundation that makes Finnair unique. We are committed to creating a safe work environment where all our people can thrive and succeed. We cherish diversity and strive to employ people with different backgrounds and experiences, to bring together multiple views to foster our business success. According to our employee survey, respecting diversity is at a high level in our work community. You are welcome to join Finnair as your authentic self.