Job Title
Senior Specialist – Technical Supply Chain Management (Strategic Sourcing)
Department: Technical Supply Chain Management / Engineering & Maintenance (MRO)
Reports To: Manager – Technical Supply Chain Management (Strategic Sourcing) / Head of Technical Supply Chain
Location: [Insert Location]
Job Purpose
The Senior Specialist – Technical Supply Chain Management (Strategic Sourcing) is responsible for developing and executing strategic sourcing initiatives for aircraft parts, components, repair services, tooling, engines, and technical support services to ensure the safe, compliant, and cost-effective operation of the airline fleet.
The role is responsible for leading sourcing activities across a portfolio of aviation-related commodities and services, including Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) providers, distributors, and strategic suppliers. The incumbent develops sourcing strategies, negotiates commercial agreements, manages supplier performance, and ensures the timely availability of approved aircraft materials and services while maintaining compliance with applicable aviation regulations and organizational policies.
The role works closely with Engineering, Continuing Airworthiness Management (CAMO), Maintenance Planning, Quality Assurance, Finance, Flight Operations, and Logistics to support fleet reliability, operational continuity, and long-term supply chain resilience.
Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Sourcing & Category Management
- Develop and implement strategic sourcing strategies for assigned categories, including aircraft components, engines, APUs, rotables, expendables, consumables, tooling, ground support equipment (GSE), repair services, and engineering support.
- Develop category strategies aligned with fleet plans, maintenance programs, and business objectives.
- Conduct spend analysis, market assessments, and supplier benchmarking to identify sourcing opportunities and optimize total cost of ownership.
- Lead strategic sourcing projects from demand planning through supplier selection, negotiation, contract award, and implementation.
- Evaluate make-or-buy, repair-versus-replacement, pooling, exchange, and lease options to optimize asset utilization and lifecycle costs.
- Support sourcing activities for fleet induction, aircraft modifications, retrofit programs, and end-of-life fleet planning.
Supplier Relationship Management
- Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop strategic suppliers in collaboration with Engineering and Quality Assurance.
- Build long-term partnerships with OEMs, authorized distributors, MRO organizations, and repair vendors.
- Lead supplier performance reviews using agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
- Develop supplier improvement plans to address delivery, quality, cost, and responsiveness.
- Participate in supplier capability assessments, audits, and business reviews.
- Monitor supplier financial health and operational risks to ensure supply continuity.
Procurement & Commercial Negotiation
- Lead Requests for Information (RFI), Requests for Proposal (RFP), Requests for Quotation (RFQ), and tender processes.
- Conduct technical and commercial evaluations in collaboration with Engineering, Maintenance, and Finance.
- Negotiate pricing, long-term agreements, warranty provisions, repair terms, inventory support programs, consignment stock, payment terms, and logistics arrangements.
- Draft, review, and administer technical procurement contracts in coordination with Legal and Finance.
- Ensure contractual obligations, supplier deliverables, and performance commitments are achieved.
- Support contract renewals, amendments, and supplier exit strategies.
Technical Supply Chain Support
- Collaborate with Engineering and Maintenance teams to understand technical requirements and maintenance priorities.
- Ensure all sourced aircraft materials and services comply with OEM specifications, approved data, and regulatory requirements.
- Support Aircraft on Ground (AOG) procurement by identifying approved sources and expediting critical materials.
- Evaluate alternative approved parts, repair schemes, PMA components (where applicable), DER-approved repairs, and interchangeable components.
- Support engineering change requests affecting material sourcing and inventory planning.
Inventory & Lifecycle Management
- Support inventory optimization through strategic sourcing initiatives and supplier agreements.
- Develop sourcing strategies that minimize inventory carrying costs while ensuring material availability.
- Collaborate with Material Planning to optimize stocking levels based on reliability data, maintenance schedules, and demand forecasts.
- Support repair management, exchange programs, component pooling, and warranty recovery initiatives.
- Develop strategies for obsolete components and diminishing manufacturing sources (DMSMS).
Cost Management & Value Creation
- Identify and implement cost reduction initiatives while maintaining safety, airworthiness, and operational reliability.
- Conduct Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analyses for procurement decisions.
- Evaluate lifecycle costs associated with aircraft materials and technical services.
- Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, volume leverage, and strategic partnerships.
- Track procurement savings, cost avoidance, and value realization against departmental targets.
Supply Chain Risk Management
- Assess risks related to supplier concentration, geopolitical developments, production capacity, logistics, and regulatory changes.
- Develop contingency plans for critical aircraft materials and strategic suppliers.
- Support business continuity planning for technical supply chain operations.
- Monitor supply market conditions affecting aviation components and services.
- Implement supplier diversification strategies for critical categories.
Regulatory Compliance & Governance
- Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, ethical sourcing standards, and delegated authorities.
- Ensure suppliers maintain required aviation certifications and approvals.
- Verify compliance with applicable airworthiness, quality, export control, and environmental regulations.
- Support internal audits and external regulatory inspections.
- Maintain complete procurement documentation and sourcing records.
Data Analysis & Reporting
- Analyze procurement performance, supplier metrics, and market trends.
- Develop procurement dashboards and sourcing reports.
- Monitor contract utilization, supplier performance, savings achievements, and sourcing effectiveness.
- Present sourcing recommendations and commercial analyses to senior management.
Continuous Improvement
- Drive procurement process improvements and digital sourcing initiatives.
- Support implementation of e-procurement, supplier portals, and contract management systems.
- Promote Lean Supply Chain principles and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Mentor junior sourcing specialists and contribute to knowledge sharing across the department.
QualificationsEducation
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Aviation Management, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Master's degree (MBA or MSc) is preferred.
- Professional procurement qualifications (e.g., CIPS, CPSM, ISM) are advantageous.
Experience
- Minimum 7–10 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or technical supply chain management within the commercial aviation or aerospace industry.
- Experience managing high-value procurement contracts for aircraft materials, components, repair services, or MRO support.
- Demonstrated experience negotiating with OEMs, MRO providers, and global aviation suppliers.
- Experience supporting airline engineering and maintenance operations is highly desirable.
Technical Knowledge
- Aircraft systems and components
- Aviation materials management
- Aircraft maintenance and MRO operations
- Strategic sourcing and category management
- Contract management and commercial negotiations
- Inventory optimization and lifecycle management
- Supplier relationship management
- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) methodologies
- Repair management and rotable asset management
- Demand planning and forecasting
- Aviation logistics and global distribution networks
Regulatory Knowledge
- ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs)
- IATA operational and procurement guidance
- EASA Part-145 and Part-M/CAMO requirements
- FAA Parts 21, 43, and 145 (as applicable)
- National Civil Aviation Authority regulations
- Airworthiness certification and traceability requirements
- Safety Management System (SMS)
- Export control and sanctions compliance for aviation materials
- ISO 9001 and AS9120 quality management principles
Systems & Digital Tools
- SAP (MM, PM, S/4HANA)
- AMOS
- TRAX
- Ramco Aviation
- Oracle ERP
- Microsoft Excel (Advanced)
- Power BI or Tableau
- E-sourcing and contract lifecycle management (CLM) platforms
- Inventory optimization and supplier performance management tools
Core Competencies
- Strategic sourcing and category management
- Commercial acumen and contract negotiation
- Aviation technical knowledge
- Supplier relationship management
- Financial and commercial analysis
- Risk management and business continuity planning
- Stakeholder management and collaboration
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving
- Project management
- Communication and influencing skills
- Decision-making under operational constraints
- Continuous improvement and innovation
- Integrity and ethical procurement practices
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Annual procurement savings and cost avoidance
- Supplier on-time delivery (OTD) performance
- Supplier quality and compliance ratings
- Contract compliance and coverage
- Procurement cycle time
- Inventory availability for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance
- Aircraft on Ground (AOG) procurement response time
- Reduction in sole-source supplier dependency
- Warranty recovery and repair cost optimization
- Supplier risk mitigation effectiveness
- Internal stakeholder satisfaction
- Audit findings related to procurement and supplier compliance
Working Relationships
Internal
- Engineering
- Continuing Airworthiness Management (CAMO)
- Maintenance Planning
- Line Maintenance
- Base Maintenance
- Technical Services
- Reliability Engineering
- Materials Planning
- Logistics and Warehousing
- Quality Assurance
- Finance
- Legal
- Flight Operations
External
- Aircraft, engine, and component OEMs
- Approved MRO organizations
- Aviation parts distributors
- Repair and overhaul vendors
- Lessors
- Freight forwarders and logistics providers
- Civil Aviation Authorities
- Industry associations and purchasing consortia
Success Profile
The successful candidate is an experienced aviation supply chain professional with strong commercial, technical, and analytical capabilities. They have a proven ability to develop sourcing strategies, negotiate complex contracts, and manage strategic supplier relationships within a highly regulated aviation environment. By balancing cost, quality, compliance, and operational reliability, they ensure the continuous availability of approved aircraft materials and technical services, supporting fleet safety, airworthiness, and operational excellence while delivering measurable value to the airline.
Pay: ₹450,000.00 - ₹500,000.00 per month
Benefits:
- Cell phone reimbursement
- Flexible schedule
- Food provided
- Paid sick time
- Provident Fund
Work Location: In person
