Head of Industrialization and Operational Procurement

Airbus•Bingen, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Head of Industrialization and Operational procurement will be a strategic leader responsible for leading the critical process of industrializing our flagship product as well as driving the operational efficiency of our supply chain. This role encompasses leadership of both Manufacturing Engineering and Operational Procurement functions. This position will drive process optimization, ensure operational readiness for new product introductions (NPI), and manage the supply chain demand forecast as well as the efficiency from a technical and operational perspective to ensure on-time, high-quality delivery to production.

Requirements

Manufacturing or Industrial Engineering degree
Minimum of 10 years of experience in a manufacturing environment with a strong background in supply chain and production
Strong leadership and team management skills
Expert knowledge of industrial processes, production systems, and manufacturing engineering principles
Deep understanding of operational procurement, supply quality, and supply chain optimization
Excellent verbal and written communication skills to coordinate between technical teams, management, and suppliers
Experience with ERP/MRP systems, PLM (Product Lifecycle Management), and project management tools

Nice To Haves

Certifications in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Supply Chain Management (e.g., APICS)

Responsibilities

Drive product Industrialization & Manufacturing engineering:
Lead the industrialization of the product, which is a top company priority to support production ramp-up
Manage the deployment and execution of all design changes and engineering releases into the production environment, minimizing disruption and ensuring adherence to quality standards and contractual schedule
Redefine and lead the execution of our make-or-buy strategy to outsource non-core production activities and establish a leaner production system
Oversee and streamline all Manufacturing Engineering activities, including: o Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) reviews o Manage the definition, design, procurement, and qualification of all necessary manufacturing tooling, jigs, fixtures, and production equipment o Improve production cycle time, batch approach and sequence of manufacturing o Development and validation of manufacturing Instructions
Lead Operational Procurement & Supply Management:
Manage the Operational Procurement team, including Supply Officers, to ensure timely and effective order placement, tracking, and delivery of all necessary components and materials to production
Manage supply chain demand and forecast in accordance with the Operational plan
Lead Supply Chain Quality Managers team to manage and improve supplier operational performance
Team leadership and management
Directly manage a multidisciplinary team across Manufacturing Engineering and Operational Procurement
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, safety, quality, and collaboration across the operations and engineering teams
Set clear objectives, key performance indicators (KPIs), and development plans for the team
Ensure cross-functional alignment with Engineering, Quality, and Production teams
Report directly to the Head of Operations on the status of industrialization projects, operational readiness, and key performance metrics