Head of Direct Procurement - Aerospace (Americas)

Head of Direct Procurement – Aerospace (Americas)

Company Overview

Tier 1 to the world’s leading industry manufacturers (Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, Bombardier, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, Honda Aircraft Company, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, Thales), Latecoere serves aerospace with innovative solutions for a sustainable world. The Group operates in all segments of the aerospace industry (commercial, regional, business, defense and space) in two business areas: Aerostructures (doors, fuselage, wings and empennage, struts & rods) and Interconnection Systems (wiring, avionic racks, onboard equipment, electronic systems).

Position Overview

The Head of Direct Procurement –Americas is responsible for leading contributing to and executing the procurement strategy, supporting operations, and supplier management for all direct materials and components supporting aerospace manufacturing and programs across the American region. This role ensures a competitive, resilient, and high-performing supply base that meets stringent aerospace requirements for quality, delivery, cost, and compliance.

This leader will drive long-term sourcing strategies, supplier partnerships, risk mitigation, cost-out initiatives, and operational excellence while partnering closely with engineering, operations, programs, quality, and global supply chain teams.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of a regional direct procurement strategy aligned with corporate aerospace goals and global supply chain priorities.
• Own procurement strategy for key commodities such as aerostructures, machined parts, sheet metal, l, , composites, equipment, electronics, raw materials, hardware.,.
• Support business growth, new program launches, and operational goals through robust sourcing and supplier readiness plans.

Supplier & Commodity Management

• Develop and manage a high-performing Americas supply base that meets AS9100, NADCAP, ITAR, FAA, and other regulatory standards.
• Oversee supplier selection, qualification, performance, and relationship management.
• Drive long-term agreements (LTAs), commercial negotiations, and supplier performance improvement.
• Implement supplier development programs to improve quality, on-time delivery, capacity, cost, and innovation.

Operational Excellence

• Lead a team of commodity managers, buyers, supplier development engineers, and procurement specialists by fostering skills and capabilities
• Drive standardized procurement processes, digital tools, and data-driven decision making.
• Ensure alignment with operational requirements for production, inventory levels, and material availability across Americas sites.

Cost, Risk, and Compliance

• Deliver annual cost reduction, productivity, and value-engineering targets.
• Evaluate total cost of ownership (TCO) and implement should-cost, make-buy, and negotiation modeling.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks in areas such as geo-political instability, capacity constraints, regulatory exposure, single/sole-source suppliers, and logistics disruptions.
• Ensure compliance with corporate ethics, export controls, and government regulations.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Program Management, Finance, and Global Supply Chain teams to meet program requirements and timelines.
• Partner with R&D and engineering teams on early supplier involvement (ESI) in new product development (NPI).
• Support executive leadership with reporting, analytics, business reviews, and strategic planning.

Team Leadership & Development

• Build, lead, and mentor a regional procurement organization.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Develop talent pipelines and succession plans for critical procurement roles.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field (MBA preferred).
• 10–15+ years of progressive experience in direct procurement, strategic sourcing, or supply chain within aerospace or high-precision manufacturing.
• Minimum 5 years in leadership roles managing multi-site procurement teams.

Technical & Functional Skills

• Deep knowledge of aerospace supply markets, cost drivers, and regulatory requirements (AS9100, NADCAP, ITAR, DFARS).
• Experience negotiating complex contracts, long-term agreements, and multi-million-dollar supplier portfolios.
• Expertise in ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, or similar) and procurement analytics tools.

Leadership Capabilities

• Strong communication and executive presence for interactions with senior leadership and customers.
• Exceptional negotiation, strategic thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders across multiple sites.

Other

· Must be eligible for Controlled Goods clearance via Ottawa/USA.

Work Environment

• Position can be based in any of our manufacturing facilities in USA, Canada, Brazil, or Mexico.

Salary: $140,000 (depending on experience)

#WeAreLatecoere: the diversity of our teams is a strength. As a responsible employer, Latecoere encourages an inclusive work environment and is committed to equal opportunities for all candidates, without restriction.

All our jobs address the challenges of innovation and sustainable development. Join us to boost your career and contribute to our purpose: to serve aerospace with innovative solutions for a sustainable world.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $140,000.00 per year

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s)

• Are you eligible for Controlled Goods clearance in Ottawa/USA?
• Are you able to commute to one of Latecoere's manufacturing facilities in USA, Canada, Brazil, or Mexico?

Experience

• Aerospace: 3 years (Required)
• direct procurement or precision manufacturing: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: In person