Category Manager UR

Air Methods•Englewood, CO

6d•$94,133 - $117,666•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for leading strategic sourcing and supplier management activities across Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) and machining-related categories. This role plays a critical part in supporting aircraft maintenance and production operations by ensuring reliable, cost-effective supply of components, repairs, and precision-machined parts. The Category Manager will develop sourcing strategies, lead supplier quoting and negotiations, and drive make vs. buy decisions while building strong supplier partnerships. This position operates as a individual contributor, influencing cross-functional stakeholders and delivering measurable cost savings, supply continuity, and operational performance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree (BS/BA) from four-year college or university and seven or more years’ related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
7 years of Strategic Sourcing/Procurement experience, Performance Measurement, Contract Negotiation, Project Management, Category Management, Business Analysis, Change Management experience
Ability to support a fast-paced, operational environment with shifting priorities
Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills
Demonstrated ability to lead make vs. buy decisions and supplier sourcing strategies
Experience with supplier quoting, repair sourcing, or machining procurement
Strong analytical and financial acumen, including cost modeling and TCO analysis
Ability to influence cross-functional teams in an operational environment
Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
Advanced in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
Experience with ERP/MRP systems and data analysis tools
Regular scheduled attendance
Willingness to travel as needed to support suppliers and maintenance operations

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting MRO, aviation, manufacturing, or machining environments preferred
Experience in aviation MRO and/or aircraft components supply chains preferred
Familiarity with machining processes and technical sourcing preferred
Experience working in regulated environments (FAA, AS9100, or similar) preferred

Responsibilities

Develop and execute sourcing strategies for MRO services machining suppliers to support production, reliability and operational performance
Lead make vs. buy evaluations for manufactured parts in partnership with Engineering and Maintenance
Execute competitive sourcing events (RFQs/RFPs) for components, and machined parts
Align sourcing strategies with operational priorities including AOG support, lead time reduction, and supply continuity
Establish and maintain strong relationships with strategic MRO and machining suppliers to ensure capacity, responsiveness, and quality performance
Lead commercial negotiations including pricing, turnaround times (TAT), and service agreements
Conduct supplier performance reviews and drive improvements across delivery, quality, and cost
Partner with suppliers and engineering on repair capability expansion, process improvements, and capacity planning
Lead supplier quoting activities for operational needs, customer projects and machining work scopes ensuring competitive pricing and technical compliance
Analyze supplier quotes using historical data, cost models, and market benchmarks
Develop and execute contracts, LTAs, and service agreements that balance cost, service levels, and risk
Partner with Maintenance and Engineering teams to validate scope and specifications methodologies
Drive cost savings and cost avoidance initiatives through sourcing strategies, negotiations, and supplier consolidation
Utilize should-cost modeling, benchmarking, and total cost of ownership (TCO) to validate pricing and identify opportunities
Identify opportunities to reduce repair costs, improve turnaround times, and optimize inventory strategies
Deliver measurable financial results, including PPV improvements and budget alignment
Partner with Maintenance teams to support aircraft availability and operational priorities, including AOG situations
Collaborate with Engineering. Production, and Planning on alternate sourcing, and design-for-manufacturability (DFM) opportunities
Serve as the primary sourcing lead for assigned categories, influencing decisions and direction in supply chain
Communicate sourcing strategies, supplier risks, and cost-saving initiatives to leadership and stakeholders
Identify and mitigate risks related to supplier capacity, single-source dependencies, and long lead times
Develop contingency plans to ensure continuity of supply for critical components and repairs
Ensure suppliers meet quality, regulatory, and operational requirements
Partner with Quality to manage supplier Non-Conformances (NCRs), ensure robust root cause and corrective actions, and drive sustained compliance with FAA regulations and AS9100 quality system requirements
Improve sourcing and supplier management processes to increase speed, transparency, and efficiency
Leverage ERP/MRP systems and data analysis to support sourcing decisions and track performance
Analyze spend and supplier performance data to identify trends and improvement opportunities
Other duties as assigned