Subcontracts Program Manager-EN

About CAE

CAE’s vision is to be the worldwide partner of choice in defense and security, and civil aviation by revolutionizing customers’ training and critical operations with digitally immersive solutions to elevate safety, efficiency, and readiness. The Defense and Security business unit focuses on helping prepare military customers to develop and maintain the highest levels of mission readiness.

CAE values—Empowerment, Innovation, Excellence, Integrity, and OneCAE—define our culture and guide how we work together to make a difference in the world.

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, flexibility that promotes work-life balance, a safe and respectful work environment, opportunities for professional development and advancement, and a culture that encourages initiative, recognition, and fun.

About the Role

CAE Defense and Security delivers complex training solutions to a wide variety of military customers. These solutions enable mission readiness and improve the safe execution of complex military operations by replicating, with exceptional fidelity, the operation of high-technology equipment in virtual environments indistinguishable from real-world operations.

As a Subcontracts Program Manager, you will work with our Senior Director of US Operations to manage the execution of subcontracts for highly specialized and complex materials, equipment, supplies, and services through all phases of the program lifecycle. You will develop, implement, and manage strategies for critical subcontracts, collaborate with technical and program management resources, and deliver acquisition-ready work packages to major subcontract partners. This role involves fostering strong supplier relationships, driving transparency across the supply chain, and ensuring high-quality customer service for both internal and external stakeholders.

This evolving position offers visibility and collaboration with all levels of program management, finance, engineering, and operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop supply chain and subcontract strategies that support current and future program needs, working with functional and program teams to make these plans actionable.
• Coordinate with program management, business development, engineering, and executive leadership to incorporate recent innovations and industry best practices into the global supply chain.
• Provide subcontracting strategies, guidelines, and training to Program Managers regarding the development and release of effective subcontract statements of work (SSOW) and associated work scoping material, including reviewing and editing SSOWs for high-priority programs.
• Support program teams and subcontracts administration in routine tracking and management of major subcontractor performance, including delivery, quality, and earned value.
• Develop and implement negotiation strategies that support program financial goals.
• Conduct briefings for internal and external senior leaders to convey strategies for improving supply chain and subcontract performance.
• Support additional proposal and program start-up activities when not engaged in SSOW development or training.
• Serve as a liaison between subcontract management resources and program teams to ensure alignment and clarification of subcontract tasking, including performance-based criteria.
• Analyze subcontract program performance data to identify gaps or trends.
• Attend high-priority program start-up and monthly status reviews, documenting observations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10–12 years of subcontract or program management experience, with aerospace and defense experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and bidding proposals or managing supplier performance.
• Practical experience and understanding of US Government acquisition regulations, such as the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).
• Demonstrated success in leading and developing cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing across all levels of management and individual contributors.
• Experience with Configuration Management, Risk Management, Integrated Master Schedules, Earned Value Management, and Sales and Operations Planning.
• Must comply with all company security and data protection policies, including proper marking and handling of information and materials. Eligibility for a DoD Personal Security Clearance is required.
• Due to U.S. Government contract requirements, only U.S. citizens are eligible for this role.

Work Environment

• Ability to travel nationally and internationally, up to 10% of the time.
• Work will be performed in an office environment on a hybrid schedule.
• Ability to handle essential duties and responsibilities worldwide.

Physical Demands

• Ability to operate a personal computer and communicate via telephone.
• Ability to work many hours under pressure.