Head of Material Support & Logistics
No salary listed
Expert
Tokyo, Japan
In Person
Operations & LogisticsSupply Chain Management
About the job
Requirements
- Solid experience in supply chain and part order administration.
- Good staff engagement skills and the ability to motivate staff at all levels.
- Ability to build credibility and influence senior management, including regional and headquarters levels.
- Aerospace knowledge to understand customers’ business-related issues.
- Excellent knowledge of the SAP order administration tool and Airbus Helicopters processes, including warranty management, Airbus Helicopters spares and repairs processes, and dashboard management tools for strategic decision-making.
- Strong proven leadership in a complex environment with considerable uncertainty around predicted or future demand.
- Ability to negotiate at the highest level with suppliers or customers.
- Commercial and analytical skills to manage budgets and key performance indicators.
- Must be result- and target-oriented.
- Must be organized with strong communication skills to interact with internal and external stakeholders.
- English is mandatory.
Responsibilities
- Manage Airbus Helicopters Japan Supply Chain and Spares & Repairs Order Administration, including material support and logistics, warehousing, spares and repairs order administration, and distribution functions.
- Manage a team of around 20 people responsible for end-to-end material and parts delivery performance for internal and external customers.
- Be accountable for Japanese customer satisfaction related to material support and logistics, including on-time delivery of new spares and repairs for Japan.
- Ensure actions with central and regional teams are properly established and driven to meet customer satisfaction objectives.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators across the value chain, including operational results, spares and repairs on-time rates, backorders, aircraft-on-ground service rate, and on-time quality, with a focus on cost, quality, delivery, and customer satisfaction.
- Oversee local stock value and adequacy, fill rate, and delivery rate.
- Establish and lead routines with central, regional, and internal teams, including delivery performance, collection, advance order, backorder, spares and repaired-parts delivery, and cross-border parts delivery reviews.
- Contribute to and follow the Asia-Pacific material support and logistics strategy in collaboration with the Head of Material Support and Logistics for APAC.
- Implement profitable replenishment strategies consistent with Airbus Helicopters practices.
- Manage third-party warehousing and distribution partners strategically.
- Select and rationalize transport carriers by destination and shipment type.
- Manage helicopter imports into Japan, including transport mode, costs, customs, and insurance.
- Represent the Airbus Helicopters Japan team and customers in regional and central performance reviews and escalate performance deviations affecting Japanese customers.
- Participate in customer-facing symposiums and focus groups to discuss material management performance and initiatives.
- Serve as the main contact for Japanese customers on issues related to spare and repair parts delivery.
- Ensure appropriate aircraft-on-ground spare-parts management during evenings and weekends.
- Coordinate actions across S&S, Sales, regional, and central teams to meet customer commitments and improve customer satisfaction.
- Ensure deployment of Airbus e-procurement tools, including Ordering and Web MRO, to customers.
- Keep departmental operating costs within budget.
- Identify supply-chain risks on an ongoing basis and implement mitigation plans as needed.
- Use key performance indicators to drive change and cross-functional accountability, and establish new indicators as needed to meet targets, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction.
- Optimize team organization to improve work efficiency and employee well-being.
- Develop team skills and competencies through training and coaching.
- Develop a retention plan to limit employee turnover and loss of key competencies.
- Ensure supply-chain and spare-parts orders comply with export-control rules.
- Maintain awareness of potential compliance risks and act with integrity.
Desired Qualifications
- Understanding of Airbus Helicopters directorates and network.
- Strategic vision and the ability to recognize trends and business opportunities.
- Japanese is strongly recommended.
About the company
Airbus designs and manufactures commercial airplanes, helicopters, military aircraft, and space systems like satellites and launch services. The company builds these products by integrating advanced airframes, propulsion systems, and digital communication networks to support global travel, defense, and scientific exploration. Airbus distinguishes itself through its massive global manufacturing network and its active development of hydrogen-powered aircraft to eliminate carbon emissions. Its goal is to provide safe, connected aerospace solutions while leading the industry toward sustainable flight and environmental responsibility.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Blagnac, France
Founded
1970
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Q2 2026 revenue rose 28% to €20.5 billion, with EBIT up 54%.
- H1 2026 deliveries reached 351 aircraft, reversing earlier supply-chain disruptions.
- Qantas's A350-1000ULR tests and Jet Zero's SAF funding deepen Airbus's premium partnerships.
What critics are saying
- Spanish strikes froze hiring in August 2026 and slowed military and commercial production.
- June 2026 engine shortages threatened Airbus's 870-jet target and dragged first-quarter deliveries.
- Boeing's challenge to the EIB loan escalates trade scrutiny and could tighten Airbus financing.
What makes Airbus unique
- Airbus spans jets, helicopters, defense, and space across Europe, China, and America.
- The A350F targets 109 tonnes and 115 orders before certification begins.
- The €3 billion EIB package funds research through 2030 across civil, defense, and technology.
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Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Paid Vacation
- Parental Leave
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Professional Development Budget
- Flexible Work Hours