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Optimising supply chain in the aerospace sector

Aerospace procurement: from crisis to strategic optimization

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Background

 

A leading company in aero structure applications faced significant challenges in the post-COVID context.

The 2020 COVID crisis hit the aerospace sector hard, bringing activities to a near standstill, strongly reducing orders from the company’s clients and to its suppliers. When the industry restarted, a surge in orders aimed at catching up on accumulated delays. This sudden increase in activity put immense pressure on the company and its suppliers, driving up raw material costs and intensifying production demands.


On top of this, the company faced an organizational challenge: high turnover within the procurement team left key projects neglected.

 

In this context, the logistical complexities of sourcing these mechanical parts introduced critical risks that required immediate attention. To address this crisis and stabilize their operations, the company enlisted Altesia’s expertise.

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Quentin Tillet, a Procurement Consultant at Altesia, was appointed for the mission.  Over a period of one and a half years in a full-time capacity, he conducted a comprehensive analysis of the entire supplier portfolio and developed a risk mitigation strategy to enhance supply chain resilience, while directly managing a focused segment of suppliers. The strategy focused on stabilizing the company’s procurement processes before advancing towards more strategic supplier management.

 

 

 

ALTESIA’S CONSULTANT WAS HIRED TO ENHANCE SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE THROUGH STRATEGIC SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT

 

 

Our Approach

Quentin Tillet, a seasoned Procurement Consultant, joined the client’s team in September 2023. He was tasked with developing and implementing strategic initiatives for a newly established procurement team. He helped transition from reactive procurement practices to a more structured approach.

 

Throughout his tenure, Quentin’s effective leadership earned him a spot on the decision-making committee, reflecting the high level of trust placed in him by the client.

  • Transition from Crisis Management to Strategic Procurement

    Quentin’s strategy involved transitioning from crisis management to a proactive overhaul of the procurement process.

    He managed daily operations of the supplier portfolio, including strategic suppliers critical to the company and improved metrics like On-Time Delivery (OTD) and On-Quality Delivery (OQD). He also developed a purchasing reporting strategy with the procurement managers.

  • Procurement Optimization and Supply Chain Stabilization

    Quentin initiated a series of tenders to stabilize the supply chain, consolidated the supplier portfolio, and minimized management challenges.

    He implemented RFX processes, focusing on optimizing the procurement portfolio (RFI & RFQ), and integrated new operational tools for supplier selection and market portfolio analysis, in adherence with the AS9100 aerospace quality system and APQP aerospace quality processes. He also incorporated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) criteria into supplier selection.

  • Leadership and Quality Management

    In addition, Quentin supported Transfer of Work (TOW) initiatives involving production and industrialization transfers.

    He led procurement meetings in absence of the procurement managers, prepared and managed ISO 9100 audits and customer-specific quality assessments.

    Throughout his tenure, Quentin’s effective leadership earned him a spot on the decision-making committee, reflecting the high level of trust placed in him by the client.

Results

Quentin Tillet’s efforts led to significant enhancements in procurement processes:

 

  • Reduction of the purchasing portfolio by half, simplifying management and intensifying supplier consolidation.

  • Substantial cost reductions and enhancement of the potential for more strategic partnerships.

 

The advisory services provided under Quentin’s guidance substantially elevated the client’s procurement maturity, optimizing their overall supply chain strategy.