Small Business Liaison Officer

Textron Aviation has been inspiring the journey of flight for nine decades through the iconic and beloved Cessna and Beechcraft brands. We are passionate advocates of aviation, empowering people with the freedom of flight.

About the role

The Small Business Liaison Officer has general overall responsibility for the Company’s Small Business Program and applicable Supply Chain Management (SCM) compliance activity. This includes small business subcontracting plan creation, annual and semi-annual U.S. Government (USG) reporting requirements, policy and procedure review and maintenance, training development and administration, and support of internal and external small business and purchasing system audits.

This role also involves small business outreach to identify new potential small business partners/vendors, support of Mentor-Protégé programs, and business development goals to increase Small Business (SB) utilization across the Company. Additionally, the role assists with bid and proposal efforts related to USG prime contracts, developing SB strategies for solicitations and newly awarded contracts, and ensuring compliance with contract terms and conditions.

Responsibilities

• Develop, prepare, and execute the Company’s Master Subcontracting Plan and Individual Subcontracting Plans (ISP) for all applicable FAR 12 and FAR 15 prime contracts, including goal creation for each ISP.
• Monitor ISP performance and report Individual Subcontracting Reports (ISR) timely to the government through SAM.gov.
• Operate in a self-directed environment to ensure supplier small business program and supply chain compliance efforts support company production, aftermarket strategies, and contractual obligations.
• Coordinate with the Department of War (DoW), Small Business Administration (SBA), and other government agencies to support requests for information, studies, or surveys related to compliance.
• Maintain awareness of USG FAR/DFARS flowdown requirements, regulatory changes, and emerging trends related to small business programs and purchasing system compliance.
• Communicate regulatory updates to internal teams to proactively identify and mitigate risks.
• Provide guidance on small business regulations and their impact on procurement, contracts, and purchasing system compliance.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure adequate involvement of small business concerns in solicitations and newly awarded prime contracts.
• Assist procurement teams in locating capable small businesses for current and future acquisitions.
• Gather and collect information to complete Individual Subcontract Reporting (ISR) and Summary Subcontract Reporting (SSR) calculations and remarks.
• Ensure ISR and SSR are reported accurately and timely to the USG through SAM.gov.
• Facilitate communications with the USG to confirm report receipt by deadlines.
• Conduct periodic meetings with management and prepare reports on program status, addressing any compliance or goal achievement issues.
• Develop and improve reporting methods to align actuals with identified goals.
• Plan, conduct, promote, and attend small business outreach events, including conferences and trade fairs, to develop relationships with SBA, APEX Accelerators, Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations.
• Develop and administer training on Public Law 95-907 and FAR/DFARS regulations related to small business program requirements.
• Participate in state, regional, and local small business organizations, including speaking engagements or panels on small business matters.
• Develop supplier and small business relationships to align the supply base with company and compliance strategies.
• Coordinate introductory calls and visits between small businesses and Company facilities, and serve as a liaison to assist with supplier setup and communications.
• Conduct periodic internal procurement reviews to ensure compliance and best practices with small business procurement requirements.
• Coordinate company activities during small business Subcontracting Program Compliance Reviews (SPCR) with Federal agencies.
• Manage supply chain administrative functions, including development of work instructions, policy reviews, training, and internal audits.
• Develop procedures, tools, and training to guide procurement teams in meeting regulatory requirements for sourcing with small businesses.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field.
• Minimum 2 years of related supply chain compliance or business experience.

Skills

• Excellent verbal, presentation, and written communication skills.
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills, with openness to new ideas and approaches.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and Access.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and program management skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when necessary.
• Strong sense of urgency and ability to manage competing demands and frequent changes in the work environment.
• Familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).
• Experience with USG procurement procedures, policies, and the acquisition lifecycle preferred.
• CSDP certification and/or prior small business liaison experience preferred.
• USG-related purchasing and/or compliance experience preferred.

Benefits

Textron Aviation provides a competitive and extensive total rewards package that includes pay and innovative benefits to support you and your family members—now and in the future, beginning day one.

Join Textron Aviation’s Kansas team and you may be eligible for a $5,000 state of Kansas Aviation tax credit for up to five years. Visit https://www.aircapitaloftheworld.com/taxcredits for more information.