Strategic Procurement Manager Base Maintenance & Landing Gear

About Brussels Airlines

Brussels Airlines, part of the Lufthansa Group, is the national airline of Belgium with its home base at Brussels Airport.
Our mission is to be the most reliable airline, making everyone feel at home.
We are passionate about what we do, whether it’s on board, in an office, in the hangar or at an airport. Our people are recognized for always going above and beyond and for constantly challenging themselves.

Mission

As Strategic Procurement Manager Base Maintenance & Landing Gear (BM&LG) at Brussels Airlines, your mission is to lead sourcing strategies that ensure reliable, cost-effective procurement of base maintenance services and landing gear overhauls. Reporting to the Head of Commercial and Supply Chain, you will:

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned with business goals.
• Engage and manage high-quality suppliers to meet operational needs.
• Drive value through strategic negotiations and contract management.
• Foster supplier relationships to support innovation and continuous improvement.
• Lead and support a team overseeing base maintenance coordination and execution.

This role requires a strategic thinker with strong leadership and supplier management skills, focused on delivering operational excellence and long-term value.

Tasks

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Lead the end-to-end procurement process for base maintenance and landing gear, from strategy to contract.
• Conduct strategic sourcing, manage tenders, and evaluate suppliers based on total cost of ownership.
• Negotiate and implement contracts, ensuring supplier performance and continuous improvement.
• Build strong supplier partnerships and collaborate with Lufthansa Group (LHG) to leverage synergies.

Procurement Strategy & Compliance

• Translate business needs into sourcing strategies that deliver value and align with company goals.
• Monitor supplier spanets to identify opportunities for cost, quality, and availability improvements.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, aviation regulations (CAME, MOE, Part-145/Part-M), and maintain accurate procurement data.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and coach a team of Technical Representatives and a Base Maintenance Material Coordinator.
• Define and improve procedures to enhance efficiency in base maintenance follow-up.
• Foster a culture of high performance, continuous learning, and safety compliance.

Financial Management

• Support budgeting and cost forecasting for assigned categories.
• Track procurement KPIs and implement cost-saving initiatives.
• Ensure alignment of procurement activities with financial targets.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Align procurement strategies with internal stakeholders and represent Brussels Airlines in LHG group tenders.
• Coordinate with departments such as planning, network, legal, and aircraft transfer to ensure smooth execution.
• Continuously improve procurement processes and share best practices across the Lufthansa Group.

Your profile

• University degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or equivalent experience
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Procurement or Supply Chain
• Strong expertise in negotiations, contract management, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
• In-depth knowledge of the aviation industry, including base maintenance, repair cycles, TAT, and EASA regulations
• Solid understanding of financial impacts across the business value chain
• Proven people management skills to lead a small team of aviation experts
• Strong project management skills and ability to handle multiple priorities under pressure
• Advanced negotiation and problem-solving abilities with a proactive mindset
• Proficiency in data analysis and MS Office tools
• Experience managing supplier relationships with strong intercultural communication skills
• Fluent in English (spoken and written); Dutch and/or French is a plus
• Willingness to travel on short notice
• Comfortable working in an international, cross-functional environment

What we offer

• A flexible reward plan that allows you to optimize part of your salary;
• A flexible work environment focused on activity-based working & home office possibility;
• Travel benefits;
• Company car (or car allowance);
• Profit sharing;
• Group insurance;
• Company medical plan (optional);
• Meal- & eco vouchers;
• Representation & homeworking allowance;
• A spot in a very enthusiastic team & a great company to work for.