Senior Supplier Program Manager

About the role

The Senior Supplier Program Manager is responsible for leading supplier performance and execution across assigned complex and high impact programs, leading supplier strategy, integration, and delivery outcomes. This role acts as the primary integrator between the Program Management Office (PMO) and supply chain ensuring alignment to program requirements, schedules, and technical expectations.

Responsibilities

• Leads supplier integration for complex or high-risk suppliers
• Drives alignment between suppliers and internal teams to ensure execution against program requirements, schedules, and technical expectations.
• Owes and executes supplier strategies – including supplier engagement, execution approach, and performance expectations aligned to program goals.
• Maintains and tracks delivery schedules, commitments, and execution status; identifies risks, variances, and associated budget impacts.
• Owns and drives the supplier risk register for assigned complex suppliers - Ensure risks are identified, assessed, and actively managed with clear mitigation plans and follow-through.
• Leads supplier readiness assessments at key milestones - Evaluate readiness for design release, production, and delivery; clearly communicate risks, gaps, and required actions.
• Leads supplier escalation and recovery execution - Corrective actions and coordinate cross-functional recovery efforts for at-risk suppliers, including escalation support as needed.
• Drive alignment between supplier plans and program schedules - Ensure supplier commitments, development plans, and execution timelines are realistic and synchronized with program needs.
• Identify and influence early supplier-related risks - Surface constraints related to capacity, design maturity, sub-tier dependencies, and execution gaps to inform program decisions.
• Serve as primary supplier execution interface for suppliers - Provide clear, consistent communication of supplier status, risks, and recovery actions to internal stakeholders.
• Ensure supplier delivery of product and required technical/certification data - Monitor execution of hardware and associated documentation to meet program and regulatory requirements.
• Cook up supplier execution across multiple programs - Balance priorities, commitments, and risks where suppliers support multiple GTI programs.
• Drive targeted supplier improvement initiatives - Lead efforts to improve schedule reliability, cycle time, and execution performance.
• Provides mentorship and guidance to Specialists and Senior Specialists - Supports development of team capability and consistency in supplier integration practices.

Competencies

• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands, and accepts constructive criticism/feedback and changes approach or method to best fit the situation.
• Communications - Expresses ideas and thoughts effectively in verbal and written form, exhibits good listening and comprehension, keeps others informed and uses appropriate communication methods.
• Dependability - Responds to requests for service and assistance, follows instruction and responds to management direction, takes responsibility for own actions and doing the best job possible, keeps commitments, and maintains reliable attendance.
• Initiative - Sets and achieves challenging goals, demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles, measures self against standard of excellence, recognizes and acts on opportunities, and takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities, exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views, gives and welcomes feedback, contributes to building a positive team spirit, and puts success of team above own interests.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Business, or a related field required. Advanced degree is a plus.
• 6-8 years of experience in supply chain, supplier management, operations, or program execution within aerospace or complex manufacturing environments.
• Experience managing complex suppliers, assemblies, or systems (e.g., CMS/IFE, seating, or similar integrated products).
• Demonstrated ability to lead supplier performance, risk management, and recovery efforts.
• Experience driving cross-functional alignment across Engineering, Procurement, Operations, and Program Management.
• Experience influencing supplier selection, planning decisions, or execution strategies.
• Experience working directly with supplier leadership and supporting escalation scenarios.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aircraft interiors, completions, or highly customized aerospace products.
• Familiarity with ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 and data-driven tools (Excel, Power BI).
• Experience with structured problem-solving methods (e.g., 8D, root cause analysis).
• Experience working in regulated environments (FAA, aerospace quality systems).

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of supplier performance, risk management, and execution in complex manufacturing environments.
• Ability to lead cross-functional coordination and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Strong problem-solving skills with ability to drive supplier recovery and corrective actions.
• Effective communication skills, including engagement with internal leadership and suppliers.
• Analytical mindset with ability to translate data into actionable insights (ERP, Excel, Power BI).
• Working knowledge of engineering release, production readiness, and regulatory requirements (ITAR/EAR).