Operational Buyer

Company: Airbus Helicopters, Inc.
Location: Columbus
Posted on: February 23, 2026

Job Description:

Airbus is committed to providing reasonable accommodations as an Equal Opportunity Employer to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation to complete your application, please contact us at USCareers@airbus.com*Notice: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal *Notice: Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination(English) *Aviso: Transparencia en el Pago No Discriminacio ?n(Spanish)Job Description:Are you a strategic procurement professional ready to drive the supply chain of a global aviation leader? We are seeking a dedicated *Operational Buyer* to join our team in Columbus, MS. In this pivotal role, you will bridge the gap between planning and execution, managing a multi-million dollar spend to ensure our Final Assembly Lines and MRO operations have exactly what they need, when they need it. From securing contractual frameworks to optimizing SAP-driven inventory levels, you will be the frontline champion for quality, cost-efficiency, and 100% customer satisfaction.*Meet the team:*The Procurement team's mission is to acquire indirect goods and services for Airbus commercial aircraft and helicopters, playing a major role in generating value and contributing to the overall competitiveness of the company. Our team members ensure on-time delivery and on-quality of equipment and systems, drawing on their expertise in Industrial, Operations & Quality Management, and strong relationship building skills to problem-solve and proactively mitigate supply chain issues.*Your Working Environment:On the eastern border of Mississippi you'll find Columbus, home to our Helicopter manufacturing and assembly lines and Center of Excellence for the entire North America region. It's here that we produce the UH-72A Lakota Helicopters for the U.S. Army in addition to the H-125 aircraft for civil and commercial customers.* *How we care for you: *Financial Rewards:* Competitive base salary, incentive compensation which may include profit sharing schemes, retirement savings plan and the ability to participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") * *Work/Life Balance: * Paid time off including personal time, holidays and a generous paid parental leave program. * *Health & Welfare: * Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical (traditional and high-deductible health plans), prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan ("EAP") and other supplemental benefit coverages. * *Individual Development: * Upskilling and development opportunities through our global Leadership University, including unlimited access to 10,000 e-learning courses focusing on ways to develop your employability, certifications, career path as well as the opportunity to participate in accelerated development programmes and both national and international mobility.*Your Challenges:*Purchase Orders (PO) and Status Management:50%* On time issuing of PO ?s and transfer to suppliers. * Check and solving of problems coming up during the order/delivery process. * Check acknowledgements and signed purchase orders and put the data in SAP. * Document all SBA (Small Business Administration) documents into SAP * Supervision of delivery dates and performs essential changes. * Supervision of flow of documents related to PO. * Changing and cancellation of existing PO ?s if necessary. * Documentation of changes and status in SAP. * Front line contact for contract issues * Responsible for daily contacts with vendor issues to resolve problems, expedite parts and assure timely deliveries. * Build supplier and internal customer rapport; adapt a clear, simple and efficient mode of both directions closed loop communication internally and externally. * Create collaborative action plan and present a status on action closure along with progress on previous customer concerns and resolutions. * Handle the internal customer issues, concerns and complaints. * Remain informed of the customer issues, follow the action plans to closure, and be able to discuss with the customer ensuring on-time delivery, on-quality and 100% customer satisfaction * Request material returns authorization (RTV), prepare and submit RTV order, track credit notes and or receipt of "proforma" material. * Responsible for the identification of shipset material set up. * Review EC and/or ECD shipset back-orders. * Follow up with warranty items for shipset materials * Read, understand, and initiate appropriate action related to technical service bulletins and service letters. * Confer with representatives of various departments within the company, to validate requirements, specifications, quantities and delivery schedules. * Point of contact to suppliers, forecasting, exchange of information. * Reporting of missing parts towards internal customers. * Analysis of OTD (on time delivery), quality, stock level and forecasts. * Clarifying of upcoming problems in goods entry. * Permanent optimization of stock level and turn. * Responsible for SBA documentation collection * Recommend and implement approved policies, procedures, and controls which assure coordination of Material department operations with those of other departments are translated into proper material action for the efficient planning and procurement of spare parts. * Responsible for updating and reviewing department work instructions annually. * Participate as member of Material Review Board.Material Requirement Planning (MRP):40%* Process and handle data in SAP, purchase orders (PO), acknowledgments, missing parts lists etc. * Check permanently and optimize MRP settings in SAP (safety stock, MRP type, delivery time). * Handle interface to internal customer, communicate and exchange information with production, purchasing dept. and QA. * Define delivery dates and quantities in accordance with the demands. * Customize and adapt open orders against production demands and perform necessary adjustment. * Analyze, plan, schedule, and initiate procurement actions for the inventory of parts. * Analyze inventory levels and related factors to manage inventory turn rates. * Establish inventory stock levels consistent with usage rates, schedule changes, material substitution, shelf life, type, and cost of parts. * Make recommendations regarding the identification and disposition of surplus and obsolete material. * Supervise and optimize stock level and set stock turn targets.Act as Point of Contact for Area of Responsibility:10%* Participate in all production meetings (daily, weekly) responsible for reporting all material issues daily. * Act as the liaison to Head of Procurement Operations and/or Procurement Manager for any issues or upcoming tasks. * Assess Capacity analysis, Rate Readiness Studies and Capital investment information when provided by suppliers. * Provide high level feedback to management including risk assessments, recovery plans by supplier and recommended mitigations * Create and track reporting and analysis. * Track and assist in closing quality notes to allow continual movement of parts to support customers * Train and coordinate training for the team members. * Take part in staffing and evaluation where applicable. * Represent the team in meetings. * Recommend ongoing optimization of processes.*Your Boarding Pass:Minimum 5 years in Supply Chain, Project Management, Customer Service, Planning, Inventory Management *Minimum 3 years in Aviation or manufacturing * Associates Degree in Business or related field, or equivalent related experience * Must be a US Person under ITAR definition (U.S. Citizen, green card holder or person covered under our existing ITAR license)*Physical Requirements:Onsite or remote:95% Onsite daily *Vision: able to see and read computer screens and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings.Daily *Hearing: able to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on the production floor including safety warnings or alarms.Daily *Speaking:able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications.Daily *Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts.Daily *Carrying: able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 10lbs/5kgs.Daily *Lifting:able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 10lbs/5kgs.Daily *Pushing / Pulling:able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools.Occasionally *Sitting:able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on the computer.DailyTake your career to a new level and apply online now!A full job description will be provided to candidates who progress to the interview stage or any candidate upon request.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 Helicopters, Inc.*Employment Type:* US - Direct Hire*Experience Level:* Professional*Remote Type:* On-site*Job Family:* Sourcing, Buying and Ordering Job Posting End Date: 02.28.2026Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Airbus complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits and training. Airbus expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered. Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus 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. Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.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 toemsom@airbus.com .

Keywords: Airbus Helicopters, Inc., Oxford , Operational Buyer, Engineering , Columbus, Mississippi