Airbus reshuffles supply chain as former autos executive leaves group

Airbus is seeking a new permanent leader of a $50b supply chain as Klaus Richter, chief procurement officer, steps down from his post at the Franco-German-led company to “pursue other professional challenges,” industry sources said. The former BMW supply chain leader, who was credited with introducing carmaking strategies at Europe’s largest aerospace group, will be replaced on an interim basis by the company’s operational head in China, Francois Mery, staff have been told. Airbus declined to comment. Richter, who was said by industry sources to have uneasy relations with then helicopters boss Guillaume Faury after his procurement remit expanded to the whole group with his appointment to the executive committee in 2014, had seen his duties gradually reduced since Faury became CEO in April. His post was excluded from the executive committee in April, marking a retreat from previous company efforts to emulate the status given to procurement issues at some global car firms.<br/>