Head of Logistics Operations, China at Satair (Beijing) Co. Limited (Airbus). This permanent, full-time leadership role is based in Guangzhou, China, requiring travel to Beijing. The position drives a major warehouse expansion project before transitioning to operational leadership of a new 17,000 sqm facility under a 16/7/365 shift model managing 100-150 employees. Mandatory language requirements include fluency in written and spoken Chinese and English.
Requirements
Completed studies in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Materials Management or similar.
At least 5-8 years of experience in a leadership function in warehouse operations, planning or strategy functions.
Strong knowledge of people operations, materials and inventory management, warehouse processes, automation and transport operations.
Fluency in written and spoken Chinese and English languages.
Experience in the aerospace aftermarket, customer services, or after-sales operations within the aviation industry is highly preferred.
Project management certification (PMI, Prince2, IPMA, etc.) is ideal.
Skills & Responsibilities
Project management: Drive the local operational ramp-up and complex relocation project for the new 17,000 sqm Guangzhou facility.
People leadership: Carry out disciplinary and functional leadership for a team of 100-150 managers, professionals, and shift workers.
Operational performance: Ensure key targets are met regarding on-time delivery (OTD), on-quality performance, customer satisfaction, and cost efficiency using lean methodologies.
Risk and safety management: Ensure stability and contingency in operations through structured risk management and adherence to HS&E and aviation regulations.
Potential transition routes: People from senior logistics, supply chain management, or warehouse operations roles may bring strong project management and leadership skills, alongside meeting mandatory language and industry requirements.
Job description
Job Description:
1. Position Summary
Full responsibility and accountability for the warehouse operations in China. This represents an existing subcontracted 3,500 sqm warehouse at the Airbus Campus in Beijing and a completely new future 17,000 sqm state-of-the-art facility currently under construction in Guangzhou.
During the first approx. 2 years, the primary focus of this role is the professional project management of the local footprint expansion. This includes full ownership of the local operational ramp-up and the complex and major relocation project. In this capacity, you will drive core project management tasks, and make autonomous decisions with broad latitude in close alignment with local authorities and the global and local project teams
Following the successful warehouse go-live in 2028/29, the focus will transition to operational leadership, where this site will be operated under a 16/7/365 shift model. Together with your leadership team and about 100-150 employees, you will lead the site in order to achieve operational, functional and strategic objectives with a sizable impact on short-term performance, ensuring maximum service and quality to our aviation customers. The new site will be another strategic pillar in our global warehouse network besides the locations in Hamburg, Copenhagen, Singapore and Washington.
In this role, you will be part of the global logistics leadership team and report directly to the Head of Global Logistics & Repair in Copenhagen/Denmark, and locally to the Head of Operations in Beijing/China. The position will be based in Guangzhou and requires traveling to and working from Beijing during the project period and afterwards.
2. Responsibilities
2.1 Primary Responsibilities
Carry out all (disciplinary and functional) leadership activities for teams composed of managers and professionals or experts to lead all operations for warehousing and shipping and continuously exceed customers expectations
Ensure key targets are met in regards of operational on-time and on-quality performance, customers’ satisfaction and cost efficiency
Direct, persuade, and influence internal and external decision-makers at higher levels, including contracted service providers. Lead negotiations and representation on both operational and strategic levels to ensure targets are achieved, driving continuous improvement and long-term development
Contribute to the further development of the global footprint of locations as well as the technical development and infrastructure. Work closely and interact with global logistics functions.
Ensure stability and contingency in operations through structured and continuous risk and safety management, whilst applying HS&E policies at all times
Oversee risk assessment and mitigation governance throughout the project lifecycle to ensure the identification and resolution of complex and unprecedented problems simultaneously impacting the delay, cost, performance, and quality of the portfolio, thereby minimizing operational impact
Ensure continuous improvement in the designated area, in line with broader organisational goals and objectives by utilizing lean methodologies
Implement transversal collaborative efforts between all operations functions, customer facing teams, transformation and performance improvement, commercial and product management
Set clear objectives, targets and success criteria in accordance with logistics and company strategy.
Promote and support internal/external audits and all other operational reviews to ensure warehouse process compliance and adherence with laws, regulatory and aviation specific regulations.
2.2 Secondary Responsibilities
Understand, live, and ensure compliance with Satair Group’s mission, values, Quality Management, and Ethics & Compliance guidelines
Be well informed about and familiar with the latest developments in Satair Group's business
Active participation in occupational safety, health, and environmental (HS&E) efforts to contribute towards a positive and inspiring working environment
Execute transverse management responsibilities which use various activities for this complex portfolio
3. Outputs
On-Time Delivery (OTD): Ensure consistent performance across all warehousing and transportation operations to meet customer requirements
Service Excellence: Guarantee defect-free, on-time, and on-quality service delivery in strict adherence to Satair/Airbus quality standards
Financial Discipline: Maintain full compliance with authorized headcount and OPEX/CAPEX cost budgets
Cost Management: Strategic oversight and optimization of subcontracting costs to protect margins and efficiency.
People & Culture: Maintain an appropriate level of employee satisfaction and manage absenteeism rates through effective leadership and engagement
Operational Stability: Achievement of defined KPIs for operational performance, ensuring a resilient and scalable supply chain
4. Personal & Interpersonal Skills
Strong relationship builder and communicator across all levels in a hybrid, international, and multicultural setup
Proven leadership and people management qualities
Strong organizational and structural skills with the ability to manage complex project workstreams alongside day-to-day operations
Results-oriented, proactive, and solution-minded self-starter with the unique ability to address problems that impact major processes in several functions, taking a broader perspective and thinking beyond existing solutions, assumptions, or current knowledge of sophisticated areas, requiring to align transnationally and multi functionally
Active listener, decisive action-taker, and capable of managing multiple priorities simultaneously
5. Qualification & Professional skills
Completed studies in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Materials Management or similar
At least 5-8 years of experience in a leadership function in warehouse operations, planning or strategy functions
Strong knowledge of people operations, materials and inventory management, warehouse processes, automation and transport operations.
Demonstrated ability to understand, treat and propose medium diversity and complexity solutions by mobilizing knowledge / methods / varied processes.
Experience in the aerospace aftermarket, customer services, or after-sales operations within the aviation industry is highly preferred.
Experienced people manager being able to build and motivate highly committed teams
Analytical skills and experience with office applications and SAP EWM/TMS
Fluency in written and spoken Chinese and English languages.
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.
Company: Satair (Beijing) Co. Limited
Contract Type: Permanent
Experience Level: Professional
Job Family: Leadership
By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus. 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 emsom@airbus.com .
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.
