Airbus

Operational Procurement Manager

Columbus, MS Full time

Airbus is committed to providing reasonable accommodations as an Equal Opportunity Employer to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation to complete your application, please contact us at USCareers@airbus.com

Job Description:

Are you an expert in Supply Chain with a passion for precision and a track record of leadership? Airbus Helicopters, Inc. is seeking a dynamic Operational Procurement Manager to drive our mission-critical procurement operations. In this high-impact role, you won’t just manage a department; you will be the architect of a resilient supply chain that supports some of the most advanced aircraft in the world.

As a key leader reporting directly to the Head of Operational Procurement, you will oversee an annual spend of approximately $250M, managing a team of 6–12 exempt professionals. You will be the bridge between supply and demand, ensuring that our production lines never miss a beat while maintaining strict compliance with SBA and ITAR regulations.

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 contributing 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:

On the eastern border of Mississippi you’ll find Columbus, home to our Helicopter manufacturing and assembly lines and Center of Excellence for the entire North America region. It’s here that we produce the UH-72A Lakota Helicopters for the U.S. Army in addition to the H-125 aircraft for civil and commercial customers.

How We Care For You:

  • Financial Rewards: Competitive base salary, incentive compensation which may include profit sharing schemes, retirement savings plan and the ability to participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”)

  • Work/Life Balance: Paid time off including personal time, holidays and a generous paid parental leave program.

  • Health & Welfare: Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical (traditional and high-deductible health plans), prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan (“EAP”) and other supplemental benefit coverages.

Your Challenges:

Procurement Operation:  50%

  • Facilitate and support internal customer business needs          
  • Develop and maintain supplier relationships
  • Analyze root causes to lead resolution to a permanent fix that will mitigate a repeat of overdue deliveries.
  • Monitors contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
  • Resolve supplier invoice discrepancies.
  • Lead purchase order execution and product delivery, ensuring placement of on-time schedule agreements, billing adjustments, terminations mitigation & cost reduction goals execution.
  • Collaborate with material planning team to ensure order policy and other key drivers are kept up to date to align with supplier capacity and capability while continuing to support operations.
  • Works cross functionally with Engineering, Quality, Materials, Finance, Customer Service, Production Planning and Operations in support of business goals around output, efficiency, and cost of inventory.

Management of Operational Teams:  25%

  • Instruct and train personnel in correct and updated job procedures and methods.  Responsible for establishing training of new and existing software systems to existing and new personnel.
  • Plan the workload of assigned employees to ensure accomplishment of specific objectives.
  • Ensure that operational buyers are putting order acknowledgements into SAP to facilitate Supplier Evaluation Development (SED)’s maintenance of accuracy of data regarding On Time Delivery (OTD) of the supplier to confirm performance.
  • Define and optimize Head Count for the department. Interview and select new people.
  • Ensure full flow of E&C’s rules according to Group Policy

Organization Performance (KPI’s):  25%

  • Develop / Monitor / Maintain KPI’s to support business decisions
  • Ensure On time delivery performance improvement (Missing parts, OTD).
  • Monitor forward-looking trends, supplier risks, and drop in demands using procurement tools for advanced risk mitigation.

Your Boarding Pass (Required):

  • Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Supply Chain Management or related field of study or equivalent years of experience
  • 7 years of experience in procurement or supply chain management,
  • 3 years of management experience
  • Ability to prepare reports and maintain records
  • Ability to overcome obstacles / complex problem solving
  • Managing teams
  • Knowledge of compliance requirements
  • Microsoft Office / GSuite
  • SAP / ERP Systems
  • High level technical understanding of manufacturing processes

Travel Required:

  • 5% Domestic and International

Citizenship:

  •  Must be a US Person under ITAR definition (US citizen, green card holder, or person covered under our existing ITAR license)

Physical Requirements:  

  • Onsite: 95%
  • Vision: able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings. Daily
  • 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.  Daily
  • Speaking:  able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications. Daily
  • 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. Daily
  • Carrying: able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 5-10lbs Daily
  • Lifting:  able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 5-10lbs Daily
  • Pushing / Pulling:  able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools. Daily
  • Sitting:  able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer. Daily
  • Squatting / Kneeling:  able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving. Several times a week
  • Standing: able to stand for discussions in offices or on production floor. Daily
  • Travel:  able to travel independently and at short notice. Monthly
  • Walking (include routine walking such as to a shared printer to retrieve documents):  able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces. Daily
  • Personal Protective Equipment required:  Occasionally may be required PPE includes, but is not limited to, Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection if visiting the shop floor.

Take your career to a new level and apply now.

A full job description will be provided to candidates who progress to the 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 Helicopters, Inc.

Employment Type:

US - Direct Hire

Experience Level:

Professional

Remote Type:

On-site

Job Family:

Financial Expertise

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Job Posting End Date: 05.23.2026

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Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Airbus complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits and training. Airbus expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered. Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

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Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to emsom@airbus.com.