Category Buyer

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Job Description:

Airbus is looking for a Category Buyer to join our procurement team based in Herndon, VA.

In this role, you will be responsible for Indirect Procurement activities at Airbus Americas, with a focus on the assigned sub commodity:  PLM, Customer Services, Sales & Data  commodity. 

The senior buyer drives the global procurement strategies for their sub-commodity, supporting the alignment between Airbus divisions in North America and in Europe and the operational compliance to the General Procurement processes. The senior buyer leads multi-functional teams to achieve this goal.

The senior buyer is accountable for and contributes to cross-divisional General Procurement activities ensuring due process and bundling opportunities are realized. 

The senior buyer is also accountable for cross-functional project management including stakeholder communication related to business-critical General Procurement processes and the systems that support them. 

Meet the team:

The Procurement team's mission is to acquire indirect goods and services for Airbus commercial aircraft and helicopters, playing a major role in generating value and supplying to the overall competitiveness of the company. Our team members ensure on-time delivery and on-quality of equipment and systems, drawing on their expertise in Industrial, Operations & Quality Management, and strong relationship building skills to problem-solve and proactively mitigate supply chain issues.

Your Working Environment:

The Washington, D.C. metro area is home to multiple Airbus offices: In our nation’s capital you will find the Airbus Experience Center, a collection of interactive, multimedia exhibitions highlighting the extensive role the company plays in the aviation, aerospace and defense industries in the U.S. and around the world. The D.C. area is also home to our regional corporate headquarters – located adjacent to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) - it makes flying in a breeze!

Your Challenges:
Procurement Strategy for sub commodity PLM, Customer Services, Sales & Data (30%)

• General Procurement focal point for Management and Operations for the IT & digitalization stakeholders within the Airbus entities in North America region (USA & Canada) for assigned scope
• Support Internal Customer (IC) organizations (or teams) and General Procurement in creating and formulating the sourcing strategy
• Drive, monitor and develop local multi-functional teams (MFTs) to maximize visibility on procurement planning and align strategies with the global General Procurement commodities.
• Establish and ensure regular two-way communication with key functional and local customers; manage the integration with assigned General Procurement commodities in North America and worldwide.
• Supplier Relationship Management - Responsible for building relations with suppliers of assigned commodities, and identifying new vendors when applicable.

Commodity management (20%)

• Manage the procurement plan, the Quarterly Business review, Contract expiration, compliance to the Buying Policies and other operational KPIs for the team to support the Key Account Manager
• Lead key initiatives for General Procurement that may impact beyond their own team

Drive Sourcing Projects (Call for Tenders - CFT) (30%)

• Lead Commodity Multi-Functional teams (MFT) and Multi Divisional Teams (MDT) in call for tender process for assigned sub commodities. Values of projects will vary, but generally around $1,000,000 per event. Some CFT values may be well over $1,000,000 in certain cases.
• Develop procurement plans and identify opportunities within assigned sub-commodity which support savings program targets at Airbus in North America. Escalate blockages to Key Account Manager, as needed.
• Manage the relationship with internal business partners, across multiple Airbus divisions and countries, to achieve target levels of customer satisfaction.
• Responsible for Operational and Regional Sourcing activities with focus on an assigned commodity.
• Perform "Local for Local" procurement activities in alignment with the global commodities’ strategy, based on GP terms and regulations.
• Support “Global for Local” procurement activities to provide local insight and support to global and other regional buyers leading sourcing projects
• Responsible for creation, negotiation and management of contract terms and conditions and communicated with all stakeholders.

Procurement & Process Tools Expert (10%)

• Drive compliance to Airbus General Procurement and related processes through robust communication with internal customers.
• Resolve general procurement process blockages and recommend solutions to operational and contractual problems.
• Monitor and, when needed, initiate actions to facilitate timely payment to the supplier minimizing disruption of Airbus processes.
• Report savings to the Shared Services organization in a timely way through the standard mechanisms.
• Expert experience in procurement tools (i.e. SAP, Coupa, etc) is preferred.

Additional Responsibilities (10%):

• Drive indirect procurement contributions to projects affecting assigned teams / organizations / commodities. Ensure strong liaison with all GP in the Americas, GP in Europe and relevant business partners.

Your Boarding Pass:

Education:

• A Bachelors’ Degree in Business Administration, Engineering or a related field is required. Equivalent combination of education and experience can be substituted in lieu of a degree.

• Fluency in written and verbal English.  Fluency in French, German and/or Spanish is highly desirable.

Experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years in Procurement or related functions. Preferred experience with an increasingly higher level of authority and accountability.

• Certifications in project management & purchasing are preferred (i.e. PMP, CPP)

Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities:

• Knowledge of Business Case Analysis & Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Approach.

• Procurement process and advanced negotiation skill.

• Project Management – Excellent skills to motivate multi-functional teams in situations of often conflicting objectives (Internal Customer, Supplier, Budget) to perform in-country RFx and procurement projects.

• Knowledge of North American supplier base and cost structure.

• Awareness on applicable Laws (labor, IP, international trade).

• Preferable knowledge of additional functions including: finance, negotiation and communication skills.

• Proven leadership capabilities and team working skills that can be applied in a complex matrix organization

• Analytical capacities to synthesize large quantities of complex data to generate meaningful insights

• Capable of living up to the Airbus Integrity Principles, consistently demonstrating ethical leadership behaviors 

• Proactive nature and strong self-initiative in an unstructured environment

• Ability to identify and solve complex problems and manage conflict

Communication Skills (Spoken, Written, Influencing, Proficiency in Other Languages):

• Ability to influence and support ‘positive behavior change’ within a multinational company at all levels

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a senior executive audience (internal and external)

Travel Required: 15 % Domestic and International

Eligibility: Eligible for employment in the US 

Physical Requirements: 

• Onsite:85 % 

• Vision: able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings.

• Hearing: 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. 

• Speaking:  able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications.

• Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts. 

• Carrying: able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs. 

• Lifting:  able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.

• Pushing / Pulling:  able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools. 

• Sitting:  able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer. 

• Squatting / Kneeling:  able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving.

• Standing: able to stand for discussions in offices or on production floor. 

• Travel:  able to travel independently and at short notice. 

• Walking (include routine walking such as to a shared printer to retrieve documents):  able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces.

• Personal Protective Equipment required:  Required PPE includes, but is not limited to, Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Respirators/Masks, and/or Protective Gloves as required by site and/or customer site

• Administrative position only PPE required: Steel-toed shoes are required for all shop floor visit, appropriate hearing/eye protection may also be required when visiting the shop floor.

Take your career to a new level and apply online now!

A full job description will be provided to candidates whom progress to interview stage or any candidate upon request.

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.

Company:

Airbus Americas, Inc.

Employment Type:

US - Direct Hire

Experience Level:

Professional

Remote Type:

Flexible

Job Family:

Sourcing, Buying and Ordering

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Job Posting End Date: 12.25.2025

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