Regional Procurement Strategist - Material & Aerostructures

Airbus•Herndon, VA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Regional Procurement Strategist role is at a key interface between the Direct Procurement Commodities in Europe and the North American aerospace industry. The position holder will build deep knowledge of, and establish a broad network with the regional aerospace industry, and develop and deliver relevant regional strategic recommendations and insights into the Commodities’ global strategies. Primary Responsibilities: Internally facing, the position holder shall: - be the regional focal point for a specific Procurement Commodity. - proactively position himself/herself as a trusted source of relevant information for, and develop a strong network within, the Commodity. He/she shall connect and regularly interact with the Commodity's central Strategy Team (PxY) and the leaders of the various Multi Functional Teams (Pxx, Pxxx); - capture and continuously maintain a deep understanding of the Commodity's Market Segment Strategies and its specific future global needs. He/she shall interpret these from a regional perspective and then provide relevant inputs to the Market Segment Strategy Leader, with whom he/she shall exchange regularly; - drive the generation of such relevant inputs based on his/her comprehensive experience as well as from insights gathered through researching, scouting, investigating specific topics, assessing supplier production site(s), attending industry events, gathering product / industry / competitor intelligence, seeking information from government agencies and industry reporting/news; - create and continuously update/enrich a Regional Commodity Landscape (RCL). The landscape shall highlight: existing capabilities, profiles of companies with relevant potential to become Airbus suppliers and/or relevant subtiers to Airbus suppliers according to Airbus’ needs, key industrial and market drivers incl. competitors’ supply base. It shall also contain insights into the actual or potential activities of other industry actors in R&D of relevant technologies to the commodity, Federal and State Government financial investment strategies, competitiveness of the region versus other regions, etc; - identify potential and/or lower-tier suppliers that are not (yet) contracted by the Commodity for recommendations to the Commodity teams as new bidders for Requests for Information and Calls for Tender. - proactively contribute to establishing and continuously optimizing the harmonized routines, processes, ways of working of the North American RPO Strategists team. He/she shall share his/her acquired best practices, tools, ways of working, etc. to drive constant optimization&standardization and increasing value-add to the Commodity and Airbus overall. Externally facing, the position holder shall: - become the initial go-to person in the region for aerospace companies in the Commodity segments, and connect them with Commodity contacts as relevant; - proactively shape and entertain a wide network and relationships with aerospace companies in the commodity segment (with a primary focus on those companies not yet under contract by the commodity); plan, arrange, and perform industrial site visits at relevant supplier sites. Leveraging these relationships and his/her profound knowledge of the Commodity needs, he/she shapes and develops a portfolio of suppliers that may become relevant for the execution of the Commodity’s Market Segment Strategies in the medium term, in full alignment with the Commodity. - proactively select and attend conferences & events that enable connecting with relevant aerospace companies and where relevant market insights can be gathered; - be the key internal contact for state and federal agencies with respect to introducing new suppliers to Airbus; - execute targeted and collateral scouting for potential new suppliers and their relevant technologies / innovations, in line with the Commodity strategies; - develop and guide potential suppliers in the process of becoming an Airbus supplier. Where required, he/she shall work on a development plan for such potential suppliers that will contribute to enabling them to answer Request For Information (RFI) / Call For Tender (CFT) in line with Airbus requirements (“Champions roadmap”: understanding Airbus requirements and what working with/for Airbus means/requires). - develop active and strong relationships with industry experts, state and national aerospace associations, state and federal agencies that will support the RCL as well as the scouting for new suppliers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Business, Engineering or related field or equivalent years of relevant work experience
Minimum of 10 years of experience in a Strategic Procurement role within an aircraft or sub-assembly manufacturing domain.
Commercial Aerospace and/or Defense Procurement experience is required.
Extensive experience in strategic analyses and strategy development is required.
Demonstrated knowledge of the US, Canada and Mexico aerospace manufacturing supply chain is essential.
Analytical skills are required.
Excellent communication skills and stakeholder relationship management is essential.
Self-starter, entrepreneurial and visionary with the ability to adapt, improve processes, and find solutions to challenges.
Understand business strategies and experience in developing regional flow down strategies.
Expertise in technology scouting, sourcing, contracting and supplier management,
Ability to prepare business cases and understand financial and operational risk
Ability to operate in a demanding environment in an autonomous manner.
Ability to work in large multicultural matrix organizations
Excellent communication skills, in written and verbal English
Strong verbal and written communication skills are a requirement to efficiently interact with senior business managers and stakeholders
Excellent people and stakeholder relationship management
Technical expertise in assessing and scoring aerospace suppliers is desired.
Usage of advanced analytical and visualization tools (e.g. Boxarr, QlikSense, LookerStudio, etc) is required.
Proficiency with all Google Suite applications (e.g. Sheets, Slides, Docs, GMail, GMeet) etc. is required.
Candidates will be required to be an integral part of a multicultural and transnational Multi-Functional Team environment.
Candidates will be required to interact with senior supplier management and senior Airbus management and make oral and written presentations in order to present projects, achievements and goals.
Working for the internal customers and external suppliers.
Communicating regularly and effectively.
Engaging and convincing communication on a frequent basis with internal and external parties.
able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings.
able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on production floor including safety warnings or alarms.
able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications.
able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts.
able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.
able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.
able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools.
able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer.
able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving.
able to stand for discussions in offices or on production floor.
able to travel independently and at short notice.
able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces.
This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Additional Languages is a plus (French, German or Spanish)

Responsibilities

be the regional focal point for a specific Procurement Commodity.
proactively position himself/herself as a trusted source of relevant information for, and develop a strong network within, the Commodity.
capture and continuously maintain a deep understanding of the Commodity's Market Segment Strategies and its specific future global needs.
drive the generation of such relevant inputs based on his/her comprehensive experience as well as from insights gathered through researching, scouting, investigating specific topics, assessing supplier production site(s), attending industry events, gathering product / industry / competitor intelligence, seeking information from government agencies and industry reporting/news
create and continuously update/enrich a Regional Commodity Landscape (RCL).
identify potential and/or lower-tier suppliers that are not (yet) contracted by the Commodity for recommendations to the Commodity teams as new bidders for Requests for Information and Calls for Tender.
proactively contribute to establishing and continuously optimizing the harmonized routines, processes, ways of working of the North American RPO Strategists team.
become the initial go-to person in the region for aerospace companies in the Commodity segments, and connect them with Commodity contacts as relevant
proactively shape and entertain a wide network and relationships with aerospace companies in the commodity segment
plan, arrange, and perform industrial site visits at relevant supplier sites.
proactively select and attend conferences & events that enable connecting with relevant aerospace companies and where relevant market insights can be gathered
be the key internal contact for state and federal agencies with respect to introducing new suppliers to Airbus
execute targeted and collateral scouting for potential new suppliers and their relevant technologies / innovations, in line with the Commodity strategies
develop and guide potential suppliers in the process of becoming an Airbus supplier.
develop active and strong relationships with industry experts, state and national aerospace associations, state and federal agencies that will support the RCL as well as the scouting for new suppliers.