Senior Manager of Purchasing & Aircraft On Ground

Sun Country Airlines 2021 • Minneapolis, MN

6d • $100,000 - $120,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Manager of Purchasing & Aircraft On Ground provides strategic leadership for all technical procurement activities that support aircraft maintenance operations. This role is accountable for developing long range purchasing strategies, optimizing supplier performance, and ensuring rapid, cost effective response to AOG events. As the senior leader of the Purchasing and AOG teams, this position directs the work of Buyers and AOG Coordinators, establishes departmental priorities, and drives continuous improvement across critical parts sourcing, inventory replenishment, and tooling acquisition. The Senior Manager provides recommendations on high value purchases, builds strong supplier relationships and escalates operational challenges to ensure reliability, financial stewardship, and operational readiness across the fleet.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years in sourcing, contract management, project management or relevant field.
• 3 years of leadership experience, directly leading people.
• A Bachelor of Science degree in Business, Aviation, or Supply Chain Management, or two additional years of relevant training/experience in lieu of this degree.
• Demonstrated use of a strategic sourcing process to including request for proposal writing.
• Experience negotiating high-value contracts.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
• Excellent leadership, organizational, communication, and relationship building skills.
• Able to perform independently and achieve results aligned with corporate metrics and initiatives.
• Must be able to obtain SIDA clearance

Nice To Haves

• Experience with aircraft or aerospace materials sourcing programs.
• Knowledge of TRAX operating systems is strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of FAA certification criteria to purchase/contract airline specific equipment such as cabin interior furnishing and spare parts.
• Working knowledge of Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC).
• Familiarity with international shipping regulations (U.S. Customs)
• Strong analytical, research, and data processing skills.
• Capable of muti-tasking several projects and tasks

Responsibilities

• Drive the optimization and standardization of end to end order management processes to improve efficiency and enhance overall procurement performance.
• Provide high level leadership, guidance, and operational support to ensure a fully effective 24 hour AOG (Aircraft on Ground) parts procurement operation, enabling rapid decision making, minimized aircraft downtime, and uninterrupted maintenance readiness.
• Lead the sourcing, negotiation, and procurement of products and services, driving supplier performance, cost efficiency, and long term organizational value.
• Manage the tracking of materials for AOG, MEL, NEF, and MTI requirements, ensuring full visibility of part status and movement.
• Partner closely with Planning and Maintenance to coordinate part arrivals and expedite defect resolution, minimizing aircraft downtime and maintaining operational readiness.
• Oversee the generation and monitoring of open order reports to ensure vendor performance aligns with required delivery timelines and supports uninterrupted maintenance operations.
• Analyze reorder requisitions and inventory levels, factoring in vendor lead times and product demands to provide recommendations for most effective reorder levels.
• Ensure product availability and minimize inventory and transportation costs.
• Monitor loan and exchange activity to ensure all loan and exchange cores are processed and returned expeditiously, reducing financial exposure.
• Monitor supplier performance, maintain regular communication, and build relationships to ensure they meet Sun Country Airlines’ requirements.
• Evaluate quotes, track supplier reliability and lead times, and assess services to determine preferred suppliers.
• Manage the full lifecycle of warranty claims for all component purchases and exchanges, negotiating and expediting favorable settlements.
• Coordinate closely with Accounting to ensure all credits are accurately issued and properly applied.
• Monitor hold cage activity for rejected or mis ordered parts, securing RMAs, corrected shipments, and ensuring credits are properly applied.
• Develop, Monitor and Enforce department SOP procedures to ensure adherence to all Sun Country Airlines' material guidelines and practices.
• Conduct all tasks in a safe and efficient manner complying with all local, state, Federal safety and health regulatory requirements, programmatic standards, and with any internal policies and procedures identified by Sun Country Airlines.
• Adhere to Sun Country Airlines' purchase policies and procedures.
• Exercise authority as delegated by the Sr. Director Logistics & Supply Chain.
• Perform other functions as assigned by the Sr. Director Logistics & Supply Chain.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefit package including dental and vision PPO and high deductible health plans
• Health savings account and Flexible Spending Account
• Starting day one free standby and discounted travel privileges for employees, family, & friends
• 401(k) match
• Paid Time Off
• Paid holidays
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program including counseling for employees and their family
• Fitness incentive and Stop Smoking Support

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees