Preparing for an interview at Safran requires a balanced approach that demonstrates deep functional expertise alongside polished consulting soft skills. You must show that you can not only design technical and process solutions but also effectively communicate their business value to senior stakeholders.

Functional Expertise – You must demonstrate a robust understanding of ERP systems, supply chain principles, and operational workflows. Be ready to discuss specific configurations, tools, and methodologies you have used to solve complex industrial challenges.

Structured Problem-Solving – Interviewers will evaluate how you approach ambiguous problems. Use clear frameworks to break down complex operational issues, identify root causes, and propose structured, scalable recommendations.

Stakeholder Management – As a consultant, your ability to influence without authority is critical. Be prepared to share examples of how you have aligned diverse teams, managed resistance to change, and built strong relationships with project sponsors and executive leaders.

Cultural Alignment – Safran values precision, safety, innovation, and collaboration. Show how your personal work ethic aligns with these values, emphasizing your commitment to quality and your ability to work effectively within structured corporate environments.

The interview process for a Consultant at Safran is thorough and typically spans several weeks, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of your technical skills, consultative approach, and cultural fit. While the exact steps can vary slightly depending on the location and the specific business unit, candidates can generally expect a structured progression that balances remote evaluations with on-site discussions.

The process typically begins with an initial screening call with an HR specialist to assess your background, core competencies, and overall alignment with the role. Following a successful screen, you will move into functional and managerial rounds. These involve deep dives with your future manager and key project sponsors to discuss project specifics, technical scenarios, and your functional expertise. The final stages often culminate in comprehensive interviews with senior leadership, including representatives from the DSI and your prospective N+2 manager, which may be conducted via video conference or on-site.

The timeline above outlines the typical progression from your initial contact with recruitment to the final decision. Candidates should use this roadmap to pace their preparation, ensuring they are fully prepared for the highly technical functional discussions in the middle stages and the strategic, leadership-focused conversations at the end. The entire process generally takes about one month to complete.

To succeed in the Safran interview process, you must understand the specific areas where you will be evaluated. Interviewers will look for a combination of deep technical knowledge and the practical, real-world application of consulting methodologies.

Functional Configuration & ERP Architecture

This area focuses on your ability to design and configure enterprise systems to support complex business processes. You must prove that you understand not only how to use these systems but also how they are structured and integrated.

Be ready to go over:

• MRP & MRO Processes – Understanding how Material Requirements Planning and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul processes are structured and managed within an ERP environment.
• Stock & Inventory Management – Configuring Stock Transport Orders (STO), managing consignment stock, and optimizing vendor-managed inventory.
• Financial Integration – Understanding intercompany invoicing, cost allocation, and how functional changes impact financial reporting.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Legacy system data migration, custom ABAP development specifications, and integration of third-party logistics (3PL) systems.

Example scenarios or questions:

• "Walk me through the configuration steps required to set up a new intercompany billing process in SAP."
• "How would you optimize an MRP group to handle highly volatile demand for critical aerospace components?"

Project Delivery & Change Management

This evaluation area looks at your ability to lead projects from conception to completion, ensuring that solutions are adopted successfully by the business.

Be ready to go over:

• Consulting Methodologies – Utilizing structured frameworks for requirements gathering, process mapping, and gap analysis.
• Stakeholder Communication – Tailoring your communication style for different audiences, from technical developers to executive sponsors.
• Risk Mitigation – Identifying potential project bottlenecks, system integration risks, or user adoption challenges early in the project lifecycle.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Managing large-scale ERP rollouts across international sites, negotiating service level agreements (SLAs) with external vendors.

Example scenarios or questions:

• "Describe a time when users resisted a new system implementation. How did you address their concerns and ensure successful adoption?"
• "How do you prioritize competing requirements from different business units during a global template rollout?"

As a Consultant at Safran, your day-to-day work will be dynamic and highly collaborative. You will be responsible for analyzing existing business processes, identifying areas for improvement, and designing and implementing functional solutions that drive efficiency and support Safran's strategic goals.

You will spend a significant portion of your time working closely with key stakeholders, including project sponsors, business unit leaders, and the DSI. You will act as the bridge between these groups, translating business needs into detailed functional specifications and ensuring that technical teams understand the operational context of the solutions they are building. Your role will also involve configuring systems, testing solutions, and supporting users during deployment and transition phases.

In addition to project-specific work, you will contribute to the continuous improvement of Safran's consulting methodologies and internal tools. You will stay up-to-date with industry best practices and emerging technologies, bringing innovative ideas to the team and helping to shape the future of Safran's operational landscape.