Job DescriptionJob Title
Chief Specialist – Technical Supply Chain Management (Aircraft on Ground (AOG))
Department
Engineering / Technical Supply Chain Management
Reports To
Manager – Technical Supply Chain Management / Head of Technical Supply Chain / Director of Engineering
Job Summary
The Chief Specialist – Technical Supply Chain Management (Aircraft on Ground (AOG)) is responsible for leading and coordinating all Aircraft on Ground (AOG) material support activities to ensure the rapid recovery of aircraft experiencing technical or material-related disruptions. The role manages the end-to-end AOG supply chain process, including sourcing, procurement, logistics, repair coordination, inventory utilization, and supplier management, with the objective of minimizing aircraft downtime while maintaining safety, regulatory compliance, and cost efficiency.
The position serves as the focal point for critical material recovery, working closely with Engineering, Maintenance Control, Operations Control Centre (OCC), Maintenance Planning, Logistics, Procurement, Quality Assurance, OEMs, MROs, and logistics providers to provide 24/7 operational support and ensure high aircraft dispatch reliability.
Key ResponsibilitiesAircraft on Ground (AOG) Support
- Lead and coordinate all AOG material support activities to restore aircraft to service in the shortest possible time.
- Act as the primary point of contact for all technical supply chain matters related to AOG events.
- Coordinate urgent sourcing, procurement, repair, exchange, borrowing, and loan arrangements for critical aircraft materials.
- Prioritize AOG requirements across the technical supply chain to ensure rapid response and effective resource allocation.
- Provide technical supply chain support during operational disruptions, unscheduled maintenance, and critical recovery events.
- Participate in the airline's 24/7 AOG duty roster or on-call support program, as required.
Material Sourcing & Procurement
- Source aircraft parts, components, engines, tools, and consumables through approved suppliers, OEMs, MROs, and pooling partners.
- Expedite purchase orders and logistics activities for AOG requirements.
- Utilize exchange, loan, lease, pooling, and repair solutions to minimize aircraft downtime.
- Coordinate procurement approvals in accordance with delegated authority and emergency purchasing procedures.
- Ensure compliance with approved supplier and airworthiness requirements for all emergency purchases.
Logistics & Transportation
- Coordinate domestic and international transportation of critical aircraft materials.
- Arrange priority freight services, customs clearance, dangerous goods handling, and courier services for AOG shipments.
- Monitor shipment status from supplier dispatch through final delivery to maintenance locations.
- Liaise with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and logistics providers to expedite deliveries.
- Ensure compliance with import/export regulations and aviation logistics requirements.
Supplier & Vendor Coordination
- Maintain effective relationships with OEMs, component suppliers, repair organizations, logistics providers, and AOG service providers.
- Negotiate emergency pricing, repair turnaround times, transportation priorities, and supplier support during AOG events.
- Monitor supplier responsiveness and performance during critical operational situations.
- Participate in supplier performance reviews related to AOG support services.
Operational Coordination
- Work closely with:
- Maintenance Control Centre (MCC)
- Operations Control Centre (OCC)
- Engineering
- Line Maintenance
- Base Maintenance
- Maintenance Planning
- Logistics
- Procurement
- Technical Records
- Communicate material availability, estimated delivery times (ETAs), and recovery status to operational stakeholders.
- Support operational decision-making by providing real-time updates on material recovery activities.
Financial & Cost Management
- Balance operational urgency with commercial considerations during AOG procurement.
- Monitor AOG expenditure and identify opportunities to reduce recovery costs.
- Optimize use of inventory, repair, exchange, pooling, and warranty programs before initiating emergency purchases.
- Prepare reports on AOG costs, supplier charges, freight expenses, and recovery performance.
- Support budget forecasting for AOG support activities.
Compliance & Quality
- Ensure all procured aircraft materials meet airworthiness requirements and approved certification standards.
- Verify traceability and certification documentation before material acceptance.
- Ensure compliance with aviation regulations, company procedures, and quality management requirements.
- Maintain complete documentation supporting AOG procurement and logistics activities.
- Support internal and regulatory audits related to emergency procurement and material control.
Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement
- Develop AOG performance metrics and recovery dashboards.
- Analyze AOG trends, root causes, and material shortages to improve future response capability.
- Recommend improvements to inventory positioning, supplier agreements, and emergency logistics arrangements.
- Participate in business continuity planning and emergency response exercises.
- Support implementation of digital technologies that enhance AOG visibility and response.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Aviation Management, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
- Master's degree (MBA, Supply Chain Management, or Aviation Management) is an advantage.
- Professional certifications such as CIPS, APICS/ASCM (CSCP or CPIM), PMP, Lean Six Sigma, or Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) certification are desirable.
Experience
- Minimum 8–10 years of experience in aviation technical supply chain, materials management, logistics, procurement, or engineering support.
- At least 3–5 years in an Aircraft on Ground (AOG), Operations Control, Materials Control, or Technical Supply Chain role within an airline, MRO, or aircraft manufacturer.
- Demonstrated experience managing critical aircraft material recovery and emergency logistics.
- Experience working in a 24/7 operational environment supporting aircraft maintenance.
Technical Knowledge
- Aircraft on Ground (AOG) Operations
- Aviation Technical Supply Chain Management
- Aircraft Materials Management
- Emergency Procurement
- Aircraft Component Management
- Logistics and Freight Operations
- Customs and Import/Export Processes
- Inventory Management
- Repair and Exchange Programs
- Pooling and Leasing Arrangements
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Warranty Management
- Maintenance Planning
- Operational Recovery Planning
- Supply Chain Risk Management
Systems Knowledge
Experience with one or more of the following systems is desirable:
- AMOS
- SAP S/4HANA
- Oracle ERP
- Ramco Aviation
- TRAX
- IBM Maximo
- Power BI
- Microsoft Excel (Advanced)
- Aviation logistics tracking systems
- Flight operations and maintenance control systems
Regulatory Knowledge
Strong understanding of:
- ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs)
- EASA Part-145 and Part-CAMO
- FAA maintenance regulations
- Local Civil Aviation Authority regulations
- Safety Management Systems (SMS)
- Quality Management Systems (QMS)
- IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR)
- International customs, import/export, and transportation regulations
CompetenciesTechnical Competencies
- AOG material recovery management
- Emergency procurement
- Aviation logistics coordination
- Supplier relationship management
- Inventory optimization
- Operational planning
- Risk management
- Contract and commercial awareness
- Financial and cost analysis
- Data analysis and reporting
Behavioral Competencies
- Decision-making under pressure
- Leadership and coordination
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Communication and stakeholder management
- Negotiation and influencing
- Planning and prioritization
- Customer and operational focus
- Resilience and adaptability
- Continuous improvement mindset
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Average AOG recovery time
- Material availability for AOG events
- AOG response time
- Supplier response and delivery performance
- Aircraft dispatch reliability supported by AOG material availability
- Percentage of AOG events resolved within target timelines
- Emergency procurement cycle time
- Freight and logistics turnaround time
- AOG cost per event
- Inventory utilization before emergency purchasing
- Customer satisfaction with AOG support
- Audit compliance and documentation accuracy
Working RelationshipsInternal
- Engineering
- Technical Supply Chain
- Maintenance Control Centre (MCC)
- Operations Control Centre (OCC)
- Line Maintenance
- Base Maintenance
- Maintenance Planning
- Logistics & Warehousing
- Procurement
- Technical Records
- Finance
- Quality Assurance
- Safety
- Information Technology
External
- Aircraft OEMs
- Engine manufacturers
- Component suppliers
- Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) providers
- Pooling and exchange providers
- Logistics and freight companies
- Customs brokers
- Lessors
- Regulatory authorities
- Third-party AOG service providers
Preferred Attributes
- Extensive experience managing time-critical AOG material support in a commercial airline or MRO environment.
- Strong knowledge of aircraft parts, maintenance operations, logistics, and aviation regulatory requirements.
- Proven ability to make sound operational and commercial decisions under pressure while minimizing aircraft downtime.
- Demonstrated success in coordinating complex, cross-functional responses involving Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, Procurement, and external suppliers.
- Strong negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across the aviation supply chain.
- Proficiency in aviation ERP, maintenance information systems, and logistics tracking tools, with a commitment to continuous improvement, operational resilience, and high aircraft dispatch reliability.
Pay: ₹500,000.00 - ₹650,000.00 per month
Benefits:
- Cell phone reimbursement
- Food provided
- Paid sick time
- Provident Fund
Work Location: In person
