Supplier Development Manager - Customer Services

Airbus•Herndon, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Aftermarket Supplier Development Manager (SDM) is part of Airbus Customer Services and executes local missions for Airbus Customer Services supply chain and quality teams. The role provides proximity, responsiveness, and industrial expertise to develop aftermarket suppliers across the United States. The SDM works closely with Supply Chain and Quality Managers responsible for monitoring aftermarket suppliers and, on request, assesses supplier capability and capacity, identifies weaknesses in industrial processes, monitors short- and long-term improvement and development, and helps implement containment, mitigation, and corrective actions. The position supports supplier performance and customer satisfaction and includes training and development to attain required competencies. The SDM leads supplier development missions and projects to improve quality, cost, and delivery across Airbus Customer Services segments, including Fleet Efficiency, Upgrades, Aircraft Lifecycle, FHS, Satair, Airbus Corporate Jet, and Asset Management. The role coordinates and performs assessments of supplier capacity, capability, industrial maturity, and performance, including derisking and surveillance, aftermarket capacity management for spares and repairs, recovery assessments, and approval and surveillance assessments for OEMs and MROs. The position identifies and monitors industrial risks, such as volume fluctuations, long-term support needs, industrial changes, and organizational restructuring, and proposes mitigation strategies to SCQMs. It also communicates supplier performance and development plans, supports Airbus Customer Services operations in America with supplier information, and connects with the Aftermarket Supplier Management and line-fit Supplier Development communities. The role reports directly to the Head of Supplier Management in America, with a day-to-day reporting line to the Head of Airbus Aftermarket Supplier Development in Europe. The SDM manages multiple suppliers and can act autonomously while being operationally guided by the Customer Services commodity in Europe; key decisions and complex resolutions are referred to the Lead SCQM. The position is on-site, involves work with suppliers across the United States, and requires frequent domestic and international travel. Authorization to work in the United States is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a similar field; equivalent work experience may be considered in lieu of education.
At least 8 years of professional experience in procurement operations, including monitoring, auditing, or developing suppliers or operations, or equivalent experience.
Must be a Qualified Assessor/Auditor.
Valid driver’s license.
Significant experience in supply chain or procurement operations.
Good knowledge of customer support and airline operations.
Good knowledge of EASA Part 145 and Part 21 regulations.
Good knowledge of supplier surveillance methods.
Significant experience in performance improvement projects, such as 8D/9S.
Collaborative, team-oriented approach and stakeholder-management skills.
Ability to work effectively in a multilingual, multicultural environment.
Ability to coordinate work by people with different technical skills and experience.
Ability to lead problem definition in a matrix organization without direct management authority, using communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong personal organization and rigor.
Clear, concise communication at all levels of supplier organizations and Airbus, with the ability to summarize complex industrial situations and influence decisions.
Stress resistance.
Fluent English.
Authorization to work in the United States.
Ability to travel by car and airplane, sit, stand, walk, and view a computer monitor for long periods; hearing and vision are required.

Nice To Haves

10 or more years of relevant professional experience.
Aerospace industry and/or manufacturing experience.
Knowledge of quality regulations, practical problem solving, international management system standards, authorities, regulations and standards, quality management systems, auditing and assessment, risk management, and continuous improvement (Lean Six Sigma).
Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
CPIM certification (Certified in Production & Inventory Management).
Knowledge of FHS, Satair, and Upgrade business.
Knowledge of SSC, including ASR/GRISS, and Services Side letter.

Responsibilities

Lead supplier development missions and projects to improve aftermarket supplier quality, cost, and delivery performance across Airbus Customer Services segments.
Coordinate and execute supplier assessments of capacity, capability, industrial maturity, and performance.
Conduct or support derisking and surveillance assessments, including Transfer of Work, industrial ramp-up, and out-of-production programs.
Perform Aftermarket Capacity Management assessments for spares and repairs.
Conduct recovery assessments, including 8D, supplier events, and industrial improvement assessments.
Support Process Capability Assessments for OEMs and Customer Fleet Services Assessments for MROs.
Identify and monitor industrial risks, including volume fluctuations, long-term support, industrial changes, and organizational restructuring, and propose mitigation strategies to SCQMs.
Monitor supplier short-term improvement and long-term development.
Intervene on supplier industrial issues to implement containment, mitigation, and corrective actions.
Communicate supplier performance and development plans to internal and external stakeholders.
Provide supplier information and connect with the Aftermarket Supplier Management and line-fit Supplier Development communities to support Customer Services operations in America.
Coordinate work across suppliers and Airbus stakeholders, referring key decisions and complex resolutions to the Lead SCQM.
Travel to supplier facilities and other locations as required.