Supplier Development & Supply Chain Manager

Supplier Development & Supply Chain Performance Manager

For over 65 years,
Columbia Helicopters has been a trusted provider of heavy-lift helicopter services. We create new aircraft, fly heavy-lift helicopters around the world, and provide maintenance support to ensure you are mission-ready for critical operations. If you are passionate about aviation, join our Columbia Family !

The Supplier Development & Supply Chain Performance Manager is responsible for improving supplier performance, strengthening supply chain reliability, and ensuring material availability across Columbia Helicopters' global operations and MRO activities. This role serves as the primary liaison with key suppliers, driving improvements in quality, delivery, capacity, responsiveness, and overall supplier capability while mitigating supply chain risks that impact fleet readiness and operational continuity.

Working cross-functionally with Supply Chain, MRO Operations, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Flight Operations, the manager leads supplier development initiatives, strategic sourcing activities, performance management programs, and recovery plans for critical supply challenges. The role also develops sourcing strategies for obsolete, long lead-time, and difficult-to-source aircraft components to support fleet sustainment and mission readiness.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Own the performance management process for strategic and critical suppliers.
• Establish supplier scorecards measuring:
  On-time delivery, Lead-time adherence, Quality performance, Responsiveness, Cost competitiveness, and AOG support performance.
• Monitor supplier KPIs and drive corrective actions where performance falls short.
• Lead monthly and quarterly supplier business reviews.
• Escalate critical supplier issues and ensure timely resolution.
• Develop supplier risk assessments and mitigation plans.
• Assess supplier operational maturity, capacity, capabilities, and risks.
• Lead supplier improvement projects focused on:
  Delivery performance, Quality improvement, Capacity expansion, Manufacturing efficiency, and Inventory management.
• Develop recovery plans for underperforming suppliers.
• Coach suppliers on lean manufacturing, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ensure sustainable supplier improvements through documented action plans and follow-up reviews.
• Identify opportunities to develop alternative and secondary sources of supply.

Supply Chain Performance & Risk Management

• Establish a Supply Chain Performance Dashboard for executive review.
• Monitor supply chain risks affecting fleet readiness, production schedules, and customer commitments.
• Develop early-warning indicators for critical component shortages.
• Lead mitigation plans for:
  Long lead-time parts, Single-source suppliers, Capacity constraints, Obsolescence risks, Supplier financial risks.
• Support fleet sustainment planning by ensuring supplier readiness aligns with forecast material demand.

Strategic Procurement

• Lead sourcing initiatives for critical commodities and strategic suppliers.
• Develop long-term supplier agreements and partnership strategies.
• Conduct supplier market assessments and benchmarking.
• Support negotiations related to:
  Pricing, Lead times, Capacity commitments, Inventory agreements, Long-term supply contracts
• Identify cost reduction and value engineering opportunities.
• Improve procurement processes, supplier communication, and performance visibility.
• Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and operational excellence throughout the supply chain.

Obsolescence Management & Critical Material Sourcing

• Lead sourcing efforts for obsolete, end-of-life, and hard-to-find aircraft components, raw materials, and specialized services critical to fleet sustainment.
• Develop and maintain a…