Category Buyer

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

• Notice: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
• Notice: Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination (English)
• Aviso: Transparencia en el Pago No Discriminación (Spanish)

Job Description:

Airbus is an international pioneer in the aerospace industry. We are a leader in designing, manufacturing and delivering aerospace products, services and solutions to customers on a global scale. We aim for a better-connected, safer and more prosperous world.

A commercial aircraft manufacturer, with Space and Defence as well as Helicopters Divisions, Airbus is the largest aeronautics and space company in Europe and a worldwide leader.

Airbus has built on its strong European heritage to become truly international - with roughly 180 locations and 12,000 direct suppliers globally. The company has aircraft and helicopter final assembly lines across Asia, Europe and the Americas, and has achieved a more than sixfold order book increase since 2000.

Airbus Commercial Aircraft is looking for a Category Buyer to join our North American General Procurement team, based in Wichita, KS (with the possibility to be located in Mobile, AL or Herndon, VA).

Meet the team:

The Customer Support team provides aircraft operations support throughout the aircraft's operational life. The team coordinates, implements and monitors all services customized to meet the customer’s specific needs, to ensure a positive customer relationship. Our Field Service teams provide technical support so our customers can operate safely and efficiently. Being based at our customers' facilities enables us to have a strong customer relationship and understanding of the airline's technical and operational needs.

Your working environment:

Located on the Wichita State University (WSU) innovation campus is Airbus’ first dedicated engineering facility outside of Europe. Our team of 200 support staff and engineers focus on aerostructure design including analysis of aircraft primary structures, such as wings and fuselages, for all major Airbus products across the globe.

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.

• Individual Development: Upskilling and development opportunities through our global Leadership University, including unlimited access to 10,000 e-learning courses focusing on ways to develop your employability, certifications, career path as well as the opportunity to participate in accelerated development programmes and both national and international mobility.

Your challenges:

Procurement Strategy & Category Management: 35%

• General Procurement focal point for Management and Operations for the any internal customers within the region (i.e. Mobile Final Assembly Line, Corporate office, etc.) for assigned scope

• Support Internal Customer (IC) organizations (or teams) and General Procurement in creating and formulating the sourcing strategy by providing data about local suppliers.

• Work closely with the global General Procurement commodities and drive local multi-functional teams (MFTs) to maximize visibility on procurement planning.

• 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.

• "Local for Global" - Identification of key/niche areas where the company can plan offshoring and manage the complete outsourcing cycle in alignment with commodity strategy. Act as primary procurement contact for these suppliers in alignment with the assigned commodity.

• Supplier Relationship Management - Responsible for building relations with suppliers of assigned commodities, and identifying new vendors.
  

Drive Sourcing Projects (Call for Tenders): 35%

• Lead Commodity Multi Divisional Teams (MDT) in RFP/RFI Process for assigned commodities. Values of projects will vary, but generally around $1,000,000 per event. Some RFP/RFI values may be well over $1,000,000 in certain cases.

• Develop procurement plans and identify opportunities within assigned commodities which support savings program targets at Airbus Americas. Escalate blockages to Key Account Manager or Regional Director, as needed.

• Manage the relationship with internal business partners, across multiple Airbus divisions, to achieve target levels of customer satisfaction.

• Responsible for all 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.

Team Leadership: 10%

• Provide leadership and coaching to less experienced team members

• Provide support & input to General Procurement Directors/Key Account Manager to set realistic and achievable goals for the team based on commodity strategy, suggested operational improvements.

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, Ariba, Coupa, Oracle, etc) is preferred.
  

Additional Responsibilities: 10%

• Drive non-flying 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 or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:

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

Licensure/Certifications:

• 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):

• Fluency in written and verbal English

• Additional Languages appreciated (German, Spanish and French etc.)

• 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)

Technical Systems Proficiency:

• Proficient in G Suite Tools.

Travel Required:

• 15% Domestic and International
  
  

Eligibility:

• Eligible for employment in the US

Physical Requirements:

• Onsite or remote: Onsite a minimum of 60% of the time at the Wichita Engineering office.

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

• Hearing: able to hear in order to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear 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; daily.

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

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

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

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

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

• Standing: able to stand for discussions in offices; daily.

• Travel: able to travel independently and at short notice; 10% of the time.

• 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: 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.

Equal Opportunity:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status

As a leader in our field, Airbus provides relocation assistance for qualified positions and a comprehensive compensation and benefits package.

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.

NOTE: 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.

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

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

-

Job Posting End Date: 03.21.2025

-

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.

By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus.
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 .