Strategic Sourcing Manager

Job description

The Lead Strategic Sourcing professional is an experienced procurement expert acting as an individual contributor, without direct managerial responsibility. Their primary mission is to identify, evaluate, and develop new sources of supply on a global scale in order to strengthen the competitiveness, resilience, and performance of the Safran Aerosystems supplier base. Much of this workload will require an independent thinker capable of performing the necessary research to self-educate in products, commodities and/or suppliers previously unknown.

Working closely with their counterpart based in Europe, the position contributes to defining and implementing sourcing and selected commodity strategies for the Group's the tier one company's and the related business unit's various commodities. The role also provides expertise to the Commodity Managers within the operating entities by supplying market analyses, strategic recommendations, and supplier development opportunities.

The position combines market intelligence, supplier evaluations, leadership and support for commodity strategies, contract negotiation support (as assigned by direct manager), and management of cross-functional projects involving Procurement, Supplier Performance Management (SPM), Engineering, Quality, and/or Supply Chain. The position holder is recognized for their autonomy, ability to influence, ability to make recommendations and decisions through expertise, credibility, and fact-based recommendations rather than formal authority

Key Responsibilities

Global Sourcing and Supplier Base Development

• Continuously identify, research, evaluate and document new suppliers globally to meet Safran Aerosystems' current and future needs.
• Conduct market studies to identify the best opportunities in terms of competitiveness, industrial capabilities, technologies, and resilience.
• Develop an in-depth understanding of international supplier markets and regional industrial ecosystems.
• Propose opportunities to diversify sources of supply and reduce critical dependencies, thereby reducing overall supplier risk and cost.
• Monitor economic, technological, and geopolitical developments that may impact procurement and supply strategies.
• Identify and recommend potential partnerships, acquisitions, or strategic investment opportunities that could strengthen Safran Aerosystems' supply base and capabilities.
• Build and maintain a global pipeline of potential suppliers to anticipate future needs and support Safran Aerosystems' growth strategies.

Supplier Evaluation and Qualification

• Develop a solid understanding of Safran Aerosystems products, technologies, and manufacturing processes before engaging with suppliers.
• Proactively learn through Technical Teams, industry resources, publications, and online research to build the required expertise.
• Lead or participate in on-site supplier evaluations in accordance with Safran standards and requirements, including but not limited to AeroExcellence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Good knowledge of aerospace industrial processes.
• Knowledge of or experience with the Aero Excellence approach.
• Proficiency in APQP principles and associated quality tools.
• Good understanding of Supply Chain and industrial logistics issues.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
• Professional procurement or supply chain certifications (CPSM, CSCP, or equivalent).
• Fluency in English and French. Any additional language is an advantage. ________________________________________ Key Competencies

Technical Competencies

• International strategic sourcing
• Supplier development
• Commodity strategies
• Supplier evaluation and qualification
• Commercial negotiation
• Contracting
• Cost and TCO analysis
• Supplier risk management
• APQP
• Aero Excellence
• Supply Chain and industrial logistics
• Aerospace industrial processes Behavioral Competencies
• Strong autonomy
• Influential leadership
• Cross-functional project management
• Ability to build alignment without hierarchical authority
• Initiative and ability to drive proposals
• Strategic vision
• Results orientation
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to operate in an international and multicultural environment
• Analytical and pragmatic mindset ________________________________________ Expected Leadership
• Strong autonomy in identifying and developing sourcing opportunities.
• Ability to influence and persuade without hierarchical authority.
• Entrepreneurial and results-oriented approach.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Intellectual curiosity and continuous monitoring of global supplier markets.
• Ability to balance strategic vision with operational execution.
• Natural leadership in facilitating multidisciplinary project teams.