Job Title: Chief Specialist – Technical Supply Chain Management (Material Analysis)
Department: Technical Supply Chain Management / Engineering & Maintenance (MRO)
Reports To: Manager – Technical Supply Chain Management or Head of Supply Chain
Location: [Insert Location]
Job Summary
The Chief Specialist – Technical Supply Chain Management (Material Analysis) is responsible for providing technical expertise in the analysis, evaluation, planning, and lifecycle management of aircraft materials, components, and rotables to ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective operation of the airline fleet. The role serves as the technical authority on material specifications, interchangeability, reliability, and regulatory compliance while supporting Engineering, Maintenance, Procurement, Quality Assurance, and Logistics.
The incumbent leads technical material analysis, supplier technical evaluations, inventory optimization initiatives, and material failure investigations to ensure aircraft parts meet airworthiness requirements and support fleet availability. The role also contributes to strategic sourcing, repair management, obsolescence planning, and continuous improvement initiatives in accordance with aviation regulatory requirements and company standards.
Key ResponsibilitiesTechnical Material Analysis
- Conduct technical evaluation of aircraft components, consumables, expendables, rotables, and repairable parts.
- Verify material specifications, interchangeability, effectivity, and applicability against aircraft Illustrated Parts Catalogs (IPC), Aircraft Maintenance Manuals (AMM), Component Maintenance Manuals (CMM), Structural Repair Manuals (SRM), and Engineering Orders.
- Review manufacturer documentation, service bulletins, and engineering data to determine material suitability.
- Assess alternative parts, approved substitutes, and PMA (Parts Manufacturer Approval) components where applicable.
- Analyze material compatibility with aircraft systems and configurations.
- Support engineering change implementation by assessing material impacts on maintenance and supply chain operations.
Supply Chain Technical Support
- Provide technical support to Procurement during sourcing, supplier evaluation, and contract negotiations.
- Review supplier technical capabilities and certifications.
- Evaluate vendor quotations for technical compliance with OEM specifications.
- Support strategic sourcing initiatives for aircraft materials and components.
- Collaborate with suppliers to resolve technical discrepancies and improve supply reliability.
- Participate in supplier qualification and technical audits.
Airworthiness and Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure all aircraft materials comply with applicable aviation regulations and company procedures.
- Verify traceability, certification, and documentation of aircraft components, including Authorized Release Certificates (e.g., EASA Form 1, FAA 8130-3, or equivalent).
- Ensure compliance with Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO) requirements where applicable.
- Support audits conducted by aviation authorities, customers, and internal quality teams.
- Maintain compliance with regulatory requirements related to material handling, storage, and shelf-life control.
Material Reliability and Failure Analysis
- Lead investigations into component failures and recurring material-related defects.
- Conduct root cause analysis using reliability and maintenance data.
- Work with Engineering and OEMs to determine corrective actions.
- Analyze component removal trends and reliability reports.
- Recommend improvements in material selection and repair strategies.
- Support reliability programs aimed at improving aircraft dispatch reliability.
Inventory Optimization
- Analyze inventory performance to balance aircraft availability with inventory investment.
- Recommend stocking levels based on fleet utilization, maintenance schedules, reliability data, and lead times.
- Identify excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory.
- Develop strategies for inventory optimization while maintaining operational readiness.
- Support pooling, exchange, lease, and repair programs for high-value aircraft components.
Repair and Component Management
- Evaluate repair versus replacement decisions using technical and commercial criteria.
- Coordinate with approved repair organizations and OEMs.
- Review repair quotations and technical findings.
- Monitor repair turnaround times and repair quality.
- Support warranty recovery and vendor performance evaluations.
- Analyze recurring repair issues to improve component reliability.
Technical Documentation Management
- Maintain accurate technical material records within the Maintenance and ERP systems.
- Ensure correct part numbering, interchangeability, and configuration control.
- Review engineering documentation affecting material requirements.
- Maintain material master data accuracy.
- Support implementation of digital material management initiatives.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Engineering, Maintenance Planning, Line Maintenance, Base Maintenance, Procurement, Logistics, Quality Assurance, Reliability Engineering, and Finance.
- Provide technical guidance on material-related operational issues.
- Support Aircraft-on-Ground (AOG) recovery activities through rapid technical material assessment.
- Participate in fleet induction and aircraft modification projects.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve material availability, reduce costs, and enhance operational efficiency.
- Support Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Develop and monitor technical supply chain performance metrics.
- Implement best practices in aviation material management.
- Contribute to digital transformation and predictive supply chain initiatives.
QualificationsEducation
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Aviation Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related discipline.
- Master's degree is desirable.
- Professional certifications in Supply Chain Management or Aviation Maintenance are advantageous.
Experience
- Minimum 10–15 years of experience in aviation technical supply chain, aircraft maintenance, engineering, materials management, or MRO operations.
- Experience supporting commercial airline fleets.
- Strong knowledge of aircraft materials, rotables, repairables, and consumables.
- Experience working with OEMs, MRO providers, and aviation suppliers.
- Experience in technical procurement and supplier management is highly desirable.
Technical Knowledge
- Aircraft Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM)
- Component Maintenance Manual (CMM)
- Structural Repair Manual (SRM)
- Minimum Equipment List (MEL)
- Configuration management principles
- Aircraft material traceability requirements
- Rotable component management
- Aircraft reliability programs
- Aircraft maintenance planning
- Aviation quality systems
- Inventory optimization methodologies
- Repair management processes
- Aircraft component life-cycle management
Regulatory Knowledge
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards
- International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards
- European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations
- Local Civil Aviation Authority regulations
- Safety Management System (SMS)
- Human Factors principles
- Continuing Airworthiness requirements
- Part 145 Maintenance Organization requirements
- Part CAMO requirements (where applicable)
Systems Knowledge
- SAP (Materials Management, Plant Maintenance)
- AMOS
- TRAX
- Ramco Aviation
- Oracle ERP
- Inventory Management Systems
- Maintenance Information Systems
- Microsoft Excel (advanced)
- Power BI or similar reporting tools
Core Competencies
- Technical expertise in aircraft materials and components
- Knowledge of aviation regulations and airworthiness requirements
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving
- Strategic supply chain planning
- Reliability engineering principles
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Supplier evaluation and relationship management
- Cost optimization
- Data analysis and reporting
- Decision-making under operational constraints
- Stakeholder management
- Communication and influencing skills
- Project management
- Continuous improvement
- Leadership and mentoring
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Aircraft material availability
- Aircraft-on-Ground (AOG) response time
- Fleet dispatch reliability related to material availability
- Inventory turnover and optimization
- Component repair turnaround time
- Supplier on-time delivery and quality performance
- Material cost savings and avoidance
- Reduction in obsolete inventory
- Material-related technical discrepancies
- Regulatory and audit compliance
- Accuracy of material master data
- Warranty recovery value
- Improvement in component reliability
Working Relationships
Internal
- Engineering
- Continuing Airworthiness Management (CAMO)
- Line Maintenance
- Base Maintenance
- Maintenance Planning
- Reliability Engineering
- Procurement
- Logistics & Warehousing
- Quality Assurance
- Flight Operations
- Finance
External
- Aircraft and engine OEMs
- Approved Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organizations
- Aviation component suppliers and distributors
- Repair vendors
- Lessors
- Civil Aviation Authorities
- IATA and industry working groups
Success Profile
The successful candidate is a technically proficient aviation professional with extensive experience in aircraft materials management and technical supply chain operations. They possess a thorough understanding of airworthiness requirements, aircraft component lifecycle management, supplier technical oversight, and inventory optimization. They are capable of making sound technical decisions that enhance fleet availability, maintain regulatory compliance, optimize lifecycle costs, and support the airline's operational reliability, safety, and commercial objectives.
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
