Director Procurement

Atlas Air•Erlanger, KY

34d

About The Position

The Director of Procurement for Technical Operations is responsible for leading sourcing and supplier management activities across technical and maintenance-related categories . This includes aircraft components, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, and other related technical services. This role partners closely with Line Maintenance, Scheduled Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain Operations, Finance, and Legal to ensure cost-effective, reliable, and compliant supply of critical goods and services that keep the fleet airworthy and operational. The Director will develop category strategies, lead negotiations with suppliers and service providers, and ensure suppliers meet the highest standards for safety, quality, and performance.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business, or related technical field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
10+ years of procurement or supply chain experience within the aviation or aerospace industry, including at least 5 years in a leadership role.
Deep understanding of MRO operations, aircraft systems, and technical procurement processes.
Proven ability to manage complex negotiations and long-term agreements with OEMs and service providers.
Familiarity with regulatory requirements (FAA, EASA, IATA) and aviation quality standards.
Strong analytical, financial, and project management skills.
Experience with ERP and procurement systems (e.g., SAP or Ariba).

Nice To Haves

Experience with airline, MRO, or OEM procurement operations.
Knowledge of component repair programs, and PBH (Power-By-the-Hour) contracts.
Familiarity with digital procurement tools and supplier analytics dashboards.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies for aircraft materials, components, MRO services, and technical operations support.
Develop supplier risk assessments and selection criteria for all sourcing activities.
Partner with Technical Operations leadership group to forecast needs, manage lifecycle costs, and support fleet reliability objectives.
Develop category-specific commercial and risk mitigation strategies that ensure operational continuity and delivers value-added solutions.
Integrate sustainability, ESG, and cost optimization goals into procurement strategy and supplier selection.
Lead complex negotiations with Technical Operations suppliers to secure best-in-class commercial terms and service levels.
Oversee sourcing and contracting for line and base maintenance and component repairs.
Ensure supplier compliance with FAA/EASA and internal quality standards, including safety, documentation, and traceability requirements.
Partner with business stakeholders to identify and negotiate supplier performance concepts in agreement, including KPIs, SLAs, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Utilize data analytics, market intelligence, and benchmarking to identify cost savings and operational improvements.
Lead and develop a high-performing team of managers, and analysts.
Develop and maintain positive engagements with suppliers during sourcing activities and though supplier lifecycle, in partnership with Supplier Management and business stakeholders,
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Scheduled Maintenance, Supply Chain Operations, Engineering, Finance, and Legal.
Present sourcing strategies, cost savings, and supplier briefings to senior leadership.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the procurement organization.