Business Unit Director - Aerospace & Defense F/H

LEACH INTERNATIONAL EUROPE; Niort; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International travel

Job summary

Leach International Europe seeks a Business Unit Manager to lead the BU with a cross-functional team including Engineering, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Quality and Finance. You will drive the BU's profit and loss, set pricing strategies, and coordinate with the VP Sales to align commercial goals across Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the United States.

The role requires an Engineering degree and at least 5 years in a Program Manager role within aerospace/defense, with strong leadership, financial

Qualifications

• Engineering degree (Mechanical or Electrical) with minimum 5 years in a Program Manager role.
• Experience in aerospace and/or defense industry with direct international customer interaction.
• Ability to manage cross-functional teams and build trusted relationships.
• Fluent English in speaking and writing.

Responsibilities

• Directs cross-functional teams to achieve sales, EBITDA, and order intake targets.
• Defines and monitors BU budgets and quarterly performance reporting.
• Develops pricing policy and commercial strategy in alignment with VP Sales.
• Presents P&L and KPIs to senior management; leads negotiations.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

International customer interaction

Fluent English

Education

Engineering degree (Mechanical or Electrical)

Job description

Business Unit Manager – Role Description

Leach International Europe is looking for a Business Unit Manager to complete the sales organization department. As a key function the BUM will manage the Business Unit in a cross-functional manner, supported by a multidisciplinary team (Engineering, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance) known as the Core Team.

The BUM is responsible for the profit and loss account of their Business Unit and for achieving the objectives set in terms of sales, profit (EBITDA), order intake, and new business acquisition. He/She is also responsible for the continuous improvement of the profitability of the Business Unit by winning new business, improving productivity, and adapting pricing policy to the value of the product.

In addition, the Business Unit Manager establishes the Business Unit budget, achieving all assigned objectives, and providing quarterly performance reporting of their Business Unit to Group management.

The BUM will report to the Vice President Sales in order to ensure the customer orientation that is essential to the development of the company.

Organization

Business Units are cross-functional organizations managed as such. The Business Unit Manager has no direct line management authority over the members of their Business Unit but works with a dedicated team, composed of six people representing the company’s key functions (Purchasing, Engineering Office, Supply Chain, Methods/Industrialization, Finance, and Quality). This Business Unit Team represents, on a smaller scale, the equivalent of an executive committee for the Business Unit.

The Business Unit Manager also has access to the entire sales force to develop the business, define pricing policies, and establish the commercial strategy in alignment with the VP Sales.

Each Business Unit is expected to be attentive to and service-oriented toward its customers, delivering maximum added value at the appropriate price.

The Business Unit Manager will be required to travel across Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the United States (for reporting purposes).

Key Responsibilities

• Directs the sales team to identify, pursue, and win new business while maintaining existing business volumes
• Participates in, monitors, and achieves monthly, quarterly, and annual budgets at Business Unit level
• Defines and monitors the sales and marketing plan required to achieve set objectives
• Follows the productivity improvement plan in collaboration with the Production Manager
• Defines the Business Unit pricing policy and ensures its proper implementation
• Prioritizes and coordinates Business Unit activities to achieve objectives related to new business, future technology development, and production cost optimization
• Ensures optimal customer service, on-time delivery, resolution of technical issues, and achievement of quality objectives
• Participates in major negotiations (new contracts, customer disputes, supplier negotiations, etc.)
• Presents profit and loss accounts, performance indicators, Business Unit activities, and corrective action plans (when applicable) to company and Group senior management

Skills & Professional Background

• Engineering degree (Mechanical or Electrical Engineering) and at least 5 years’ experience in a Program Manager role within the aerospace and/or defense industry, involving direct international customer interaction.
• Knowledge of aerospace electrical distribution would be an advantage but is not mandatory. In its absence, strong technical common sense is required.
• Managing cross-functional teams in the resolution of complex issues involving all company departments
• Leading indirectly through example and by building trusted relationships with all stakeholders
• Managing activities using financial and quantitative data
• Implementing the necessary actions to achieve objectives in all situations
• Developing sustainable and healthy relationships with their Business Unit and customers
• Speaking and writing fluent English

Company Culture

• International Culture
• Driving Performance
• Results oriented
• Financial and profitability-driven perspective
• Prioritize actions
• Decision making
• Sense of responsibility
• Autonomy