Head of Transport North America

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Job Description:

Position Summary

Reporting operationally to the Mobile Senior Director Ho Supply Chain Operations (Ho AAPO), the Head of Transport North America holds ultimate operational and strategic authority over all regional transportation activities. This role is directly accountable for driving the management, governance, and final decision-making for all cross-functional transformation projects within the new PIT team, while decisively steering the local operations and performance of Airbus affiliates across the region.

Key Pillars of Authority

• Strategic Operations Management: Directs and commands all North American transportation activities, moving past mere coordination to absolute operational ownership.
  
• Executive Decision-Making & Transformation: Serves as the final authority on all transverse projects, driving the strategic evolution, performance metrics, and restructuring of the new PIT team.
  
• Affiliate Governance: Exercises full management oversight over local operations, ensuring Airbus affiliates are aligned with global standards and regional performance targets.
  

The Head of Transport North America is accountable for the delivery on time and on quality of key PIT projects in the region, and is expected to contribute and lead portions of projects which will drive integration to the PIT team regionally and worldwide.

The Head of Transport North America is accountable to drive the synergies and efficiencies, ensuring bundling opportunities are realized, and managing and steering the various KPIs of PIT across the region. They are also accountable for the management of the interface to central functions related to compliance, audit, risks and opportunities, tools and processes.

In addition, the Head of Transport North America is accountable for harmonizing the PIT framework for the Airbus affiliates covered by the teams in the region. He/she is accountable for the local operational performance of PIT in those affiliates and the management of local stakeholders. He/she drives the integration of the local PIT operations within the regional and global PIT organization, processes and tools.

Identification

Accountabilities

• Develop and execute the regional transport strategy, ensuring alignment with global Airbus Transport Directorate PIT objectives and optimizing transport flows for all general cargo and oversize movements within and from North America
• Lead and manage all transport development projects focused on enhancing efficiency and identifying synergistic opportunities across Airbus's North American footprint
• Ensure the deployment of Airbus Core transport processes and monitor adherence to ensure the compliance to POA transport accountability across all sites
• Supervise all day-to-day transport operations, monitor the performance of transport service providers, and implement corrective actions to ensure high service levels and cost-effectiveness
• Ensure all transport operations adhere to relevant local, national, and international regulations, and safety standards, while proactively identifying and mitigating transport-related risks
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of transport professionals located across various sites (Mobile Alabama, Mirabel Canada, Kinston North Carolina), fostering a collaborative and results-oriented environment
• Manage the transport budget for the region, identifying and implementing initiatives to optimize costs without compromising service quality or operational integrity

Dimensions

• Airbus America FAL Mobile, Airbus Kinston site, Airbus Canada FAL Mobile & Mirabel, Airbus SAS US outbound flows to EU
  
• Subordinate employees (FTE headcount):
  Operational (ops.): 4 in Mobile (5 in 2026) Functional: 2 in Kinston (functional leadership) ; 8-9 in Mirabel (functional leadership)
  
• Operating Budget (financial terms): 40 M€
  
• Other dimensions relevant to the position:
  

-All Airbus North America sites

- >200 pick up locations connected to the transport network

- 20 000 transport requests / year

Main activities

• Design and implement North America Transport Operating model (30%)
  
  • Build the NA Transport stakeholder management and Governance model
    
  • Establish and manage Roles & Responsibilities enabling Multi Sites, multi programme, multi division organisation with dedicated SLA & operating model
    
  • Build up the budget model between different sites/ organizations enabling simplification and synergies
    
  • Set up and follow up the reporting model to each site, division to provide full transparency
    
  • Drive synergies within the region
    
  • Identify efficiencies on the team: identify opportunities through analysis of functionalities, pain points, repetitive or non-value add tasks
    
  • Drive working sessions with the team and drumbeat implementation
    
  • Integration of Airbus entities at regional level:
    
    • Ensure a robust definition of Transportation processes in the Region (applicable processes, templates, on-boarding manual, KPIs, delegation and signature requirements, SLAs...)
      
    • KPIs: support the evolution of the KPIs according to regional needs and drive the automation and accessibility of the KPIs for GP teams across the region
      
    • Tools deployment and support: tool mapping across the region and drumbeat of harmonization in close liaison with European teams

• Team Leadership & Development (20%):
  
  • Recruit, train, and develop transport team members
    
  • Conduct performance reviews, set objectives, and provide regular feedback to the team
    
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous learning and professional development within the transport team
    
  • Lead functionally the local PIT teams in the affiliates (Kinston & Mirabel) and align goals & performance with the employees local leadership
    

• Operations Management (20%):
  
  • Drive the integration of the existing and new entities:
    
    • Roadmap creation and prioritization through risks and opportunities identification
      
    • Creation of the blueprint for regional affiliates
      
    • Project drumbeat and reporting
      
    • Reporting and structuring of deliverables including spend analysis, savings analysis, SteerCo preparation and budget analysis as required
      
  • Oversee and optimize all inland general cargo transport operations within North America
    
  • Manage all outbound general cargo transport operations from North America to Europe
    
  • Supervise and coordinate all inland oversize transport operations within North America
    
  • Monitor daily transport activities, troubleshoot issues, and ensure timely and efficient delivery
    
  • Implement and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) for all transport operations
    
  • Drives the operational performance of PIT in all perimeters
    
    • Functionally manages the local PIT teams, provide leadership, training and coaching to less experienced team members

• Suppliers & Performance Management (10%):
  
  • Establish and maintain strong relationships with transport service providers
    
  • Conduct regular performance reviews with suppliers, negotiating service level agreements (SLAs)
    
  • Identify and implement opportunities for continuous improvement with transport partners
    

• Process & Project Management (10%):
  
  • Implement Airbus Core transport processes, procedures, and best practices
    
  • Lead cross-functional projects aimed at achieving greater standardization, efficiency, and cost savings across North American transport
    
  • Conduct regular reviews and prepare POA audits to ensure compliance with transport processes and quality standards
    
  • Audit preparation and support (Compliance, process and external audits)
    
  • Drive audit process and preparation as well as closure and follow up of audit actions and or findings
    

• Regional / cross divisional Transport network development (5%)
  
  • Organise regular exchange and review with other Supply & Logistics Airbus division to identify and implement synergies at Airbus Group Level (SATAIR, FHS, Airbus Helicopter, ADS)
    
• Reporting & Analysis (5%):
  
  • Elaborate comprehensive reports on transport performance and key metrics
    
  • Define Financial forecast & objectives
    
  • Provide regular updates to senior management on operational status, project progress, and strategic initiatives
    
  • Work out Risk management and mitigation plan. Conduct root cause analysis for transport-related issues and implement preventive measures
    

Organization structure

The jobholder reports:

• Operationally/locally to the Mobile Ho Supply Chain Operations (Ho AAPO):
  HR process, local sites relationship, local regulations
  
• Functionally to the VP Head of Transport PIT based in Toulouse:
  POA compliance, Adherence to process, Transport strategy, transformation project Improvement plan, Budget OP capex/opex, overall performance
  

As part of Transport team, he/she manages the North America Transport operations in coordination with North America Supply Chain Sites team, PIX central process teams, QPMT Transport Quality team, General Procurement teams.,

Outputs

• Products, solutions & services to customers on time, on cost & to the specified quality & performance, in line with the business plan
  
• Drumbeat projects through a regular and frequent dashboard to present Risk /Opportunities
  
• Develop and drumbeat the Transportation transformation road-map through analysis of AAPO KPIs and identification of opportunities
  
• AAPO KPIs management, analysis and evolution proposals with identification of potential risks/opportunities, supporting the communication and operations of AAPO (PIT) organization in the region
  
• AAPO Processes, tools mapping and documentation, Audit plan management, ERM reporting
  
• Legal framework for AAPO to operate in Airbus entities in the region
  
• Resolution of procurement process and tools blockages and recommendations for solutions to operational and organizational problems
  
• Operational performance of AAPO in the affiliates (where applicable)
  

Qualified Experience / Skills / Training:

The position holder must have a demonstrated track record of success managing stakeholders in complex cross-functional and geographically dispersed matrix organization. He/she should also possess strong subject matter expertise over the applicable tools and processes. In addition, he/she should have a robust view of risk and opportunity management. He/she should bring with them a progressive and disruptive mindset and strong behavioral capacities in order to act as a visible leader of ‘change’ in both domestic and international settings. Expected behavioral competencies include the following:

• Required 10 years+ years of progressive experience in Logistics, Supply Chain, or Transport Management, with a significant focus on multimodal transport (road, air, ocean).
  
• Required 5 years of management experience with remote teams and/or transnational teams
  
• Expertise in General Cargo and Oversize/Out-of-Gauge (OOG) transport operations, particularly within the North American inland network
  
• Strong knowledge of international transport regulations, customs procedures, and trade compliance (specifically North America-to-Europe lanes)
  
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a geographically dispersed team of at least 8-10 people, fostering professional development and performance
  
• Experience in process deployment, standardization, and continuous improvement methodologies
  
• Strong project management capabilities to drive efficiency and synergy initiatives across multiple sites
  
• Financial acumen to manage significant transport budgets and deliver cost optimization strategies
  
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills to collaborate effectively with multi sites, procurement, and senior management
  
• Strong adherence to Ethics & Compliance
  

The candidate should have a minimum of 10 years of experience obtained in international settings and in complex, large and global organizations and/or in fast growing new businesses. They should be educated at the Bachelor’s level in Logistics, Business Administration or related disciplines, with preference for candidates who have obtained a Master’s degree in similar fields. In addition, they should be willing to travel both domestically and abroad for up to 30% of their assigned working hours.

Education:

• Required: A Bachelors’ Degree in Business Administration, Logistics or Engineering or a related field
  
• Master’s degree is a plus
  
  

Communication Skills (Spoken, Written, Influencing, Proficiency in Other Languages):

• Fluent English
  
• Additional Languages appreciated (German, Spanish and French etc.)
  

Technical Systems Proficiency:

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, Qlik Sense, Tableau.
  
• Expert user of G Suite Tools.
  
• Advanced knowledge of enterprise systems, including SAP, Coupa and associated transactional systems
  

Travel Required:

• 30% Domestic and International
  

Eligibility:

• None
  

Clearance:

• None
  

Nature of Contacts:

Involved, negotiation type, internal on a daily basis.

Physical Requirements:

Includes: Sitting, Standing, Walking, Speaking, Hearing, Vision, Travel

Equal Opportunity:

Airbus Group is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Airbus Group is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

As a leader in our field, Airbus Group provides relocation assistance for qualified positions and a comprehensive compensation and benefits package.

As a matter of policy, Airbus Group does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered.

Airbus Group does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus Group is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice.

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:
Airbus Americas, Inc.

Employment Type:
US - Direct Hire