Supplier Development Manager

Job Description:

An opportunity for a Supplier Development Manager has arisen within Airbus Defence and Space, Getafe (Madrid).

The selected candidate will join the Supply Chain & Quality Management Team within Airbus Defence & Space. The department is responsible for ensuring end-to-end supply chain robustness, driving continuous improvement, and boosting supplier performance across a wide spectrum of technologies and industries (including aeronautics, astronautics, and defense). Working in a highly dynamic, multidisciplinary, and international environment, you will lead field missions, support critical recovery plans, and partner with suppliers-from executive leadership down to the shop floor-to elevate supply chain maturity and safeguard operational performance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The main tasks of the jobholder will be:

• Conduct supplier assessments and field missions to identify operational weaknesses, capacity constraints, and key improvement axes across end-to-end manufacturing and supply chain processes.
• Define and execute Corrective, Improvement, and Development (CID) action plans, setting clear objectives with key internal stakeholders and supplier management.
• Deploy continuous improvement methodologies and quality tools (such as Lean, Six Sigma, 8D/PPS, APQP, pFMEA, SPC, and DMAIC) at supplier sites to improve process capability and build a strong quality mindset.
• Lead complex technical initiatives, including Transfer of Work (TOW) and New Product Implementation (NPI) projects, while mitigating future supply chain risks proactively.
• Provide operational recovery support during critical supplier performance issues to ensure delivery and quality targets are met.
• Manage cross-functional assessment teams and coordinate directly with global suppliers across all organizational levels, ensuring effective stakeholder alignment and change management.

SKILLS

Is your profile aligned to the following list of skills? Apply! We are looking forward to knowing you:

• Education: Engineering degree (Aeronautical, Industrial, Mechanical, or related technical discipline) or Business Management with a strong industrial background.
• Experience: Senior profile with at least 5 years of proven experience in Supply Chain, Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, or Procurement within aeronautic sector.
• Soft skills: Outstanding communication, negotiation, and influence capabilities; strong ownership and problem-solving mindset; high adaptability to lead multidisciplinary teams and navigate intercultural environments.
• Languages: Advanced / Negotiation level in English (mandatory). Knowledge of Spanish and/or German will be considered a distinct advantage.
• Technical knowledge: Deep understanding of manufacturing processes and systems; expertise in APQP tools (pFMEA, SPC, MSA, Control Plans), APICS fundamentals, and end-to-end project/supply chain management.
• Valuable / Nice to have: Six Sigma Black Belt or Shainin accreditation; experience in audits/assessments; familiarity with Procurement IT tools; proficiency in multiple languages.
• Other requirements: Willingness to travel regularly (~40% travel, primarily to supplier sites in the Madrid area, with flexibility for short-notice missions worldwide).

WHICH BENEFITS WILL YOU HAVE AS AIRBUS EMPLOYEE? At Airbus we are focused on our employees and their welfare. Take a look at some of our social benefits:

• Vacation days plus additional days-off along the year.
• Attractive salary.
• Hybrid model of working when possible, promoting work-life balance.
• Collective transport service in some sites.
• Benefits such as health insurance, employee stock options, retirement plan, or study grants.
• On-site facilities (among others): free canteen, kindergarten, medical office.
• Possibility to collaborate in different social and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
• Excellent upskilling opportunities and great development prospects in a multicultural environment.
• Special rates in products & benefits.

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.

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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 [email protected].

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.