Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.
Safran Electronics & Defense offers its customers onboard intelligence solutions allowing them to understand the environment, reduce mental load and guarantee a trajectory, even in critical situations, in all environments: on land, at sea, in the sky or space. The company harnesses the expertise of its 13,000 employees towards these three functions: observe, decide and guide, for the civil and military markets.
What does the role look like?
This is a unique opportunity to set and drive the purchasing and supplier performance vision for an international aerospace business at the forefront of innovation. You will shape strategies that enhance cost competitiveness, strengthen supply chain resilience, and ensure full alignment with Safran Group's global ambitions.
In this highly visible leadership position, you will build and nurture an agile, high performing global supplier network capable of supporting both today's operational needs and tomorrow's breakthrough aerospace programs. Your leadership will directly influence the long term success, sustainability, and technological advancement of the Actuation Systems GBU.
You will also steward the governance and processes of the end to end Supply Chain across our global Actuation sites, driving seamless collaboration between local Supply Chain teams and the Purchasing & Supplier Performance organisations. Through your direction, these teams will operate as one cohesive global ecosystem, delivering consistency, excellence, and meaningful impact across the business.
What will your day-to-day responsibilities look like?
*Define and deploy the Actuation Systems GBU purchasing strategy in coordination with Safran Electronics & Defense and Safran Group central purchasing organisations
*Control supplier cost evolution through sourcing strategies, resourcing decisions, supplier diversification, and vertical integration initiatives
*Develop and manage a portfolio of strategic suppliers to support operational performance and next-generation aerospace programs
*Set, monitor, and drive supplier performance objectives across quality, cost, delivery, innovation, and compliance
*Anticipate supplier-related risks and lead mitigation and recovery plans
*Apply Safran Group escalation and governance processes for underperforming suppliers
*Lead supplier development initiatives, including deployment of the Aero Excellence framework and supplier capability assessments
*Maintain and enhance standardised processes for end-to-end Supply Chain management, including Sales, Inventory, Operational Planning and Procurement functions based locally in the Actuation plants.
*Lead and develop global purchasing and supplier performance teams across multiple international sites
*Act as a key interface with internal stakeholders including operations, engineering, quality, finance, and program management
*Promote a performance-driven culture aligned with Safran leadership principles
*Geographic Scope: Global
*Business Impact: Cost competitiveness, supplier performance, industrial continuity, and program execution
*People Leadership: International purchasing and supplier performance teams
What will you bring to the role?
Essential skills:
*Proven leadership experience in international, matrix organisations
*Excellent expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, and partnership development
*Demonstrated capability in supplier performance management and industrial development
Desirable skills:
*Extensive experience in industrial purchasing within the aerospace and/or defence sectors
*Strategic, analytical, and results-oriented leadership style
*Strong communication and influencing skills
*A forward looking leader who is results driven, collaborative, and highly resilient.
*Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage, align, and motivate cross functional teams.
*A mindset centered on innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
*Fluent in English; French language capability is an advantage