Senior Supplier Program Manager
Leads supplier performance and execution across complex VIP jet interior programs, acting as the primary bridge between the PMO and supply chain. Day-to-day work covers owning supplier strategies, managing supplier risk registers, driving escalations and recovery, and aligning supplier schedules with program needs using tools like ERP, Excel and Power BI.
- Compensation
- $120K–$166K / yr
- Location
- Bothell, Washington, United States
- Work setup
- Not specified
- Seniority
- Senior
- Employment
- Not specified
- Experience
- 6+ years
- Category
- Project management
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Business, or a related field
- 6-8 years of experience in supply chain, supplier management, operations, or program execution within aerospace or complex manufacturing environments
- Experience managing complex suppliers, assemblies, or systems (e.g., CMS/IFE, seating, or similar integrated products)
- Demonstrated ability to lead supplier performance, risk management, and recovery efforts
- Experience driving cross-functional alignment across Engineering, Procurement, Operations, and Program Management
- Experience influencing supplier selection, planning decisions, or execution strategies
- Experience working directly with supplier leadership and supporting escalation scenarios
- Must qualify as a US Person (ITAR) for programs subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations
- Strong understanding of supplier performance, risk management, and execution in complex manufacturing environments
- Ability to lead cross-functional coordination and influence stakeholders without direct authority
- Strong problem-solving skills with ability to drive supplier recovery and corrective actions
- Effective communication skills, including engagement with internal leadership and suppliers
- Analytical mindset with ability to translate data into actionable insights (ERP, Excel, Power BI)
- Working knowledge of engineering release, production readiness, and regulatory requirements (ITAR/EAR)
Nice to have
- Advanced degree
- Experience in aircraft interiors, completions, or highly customized aerospace products
- Familiarity with ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 and data-driven tools (Excel, Power BI)
- Experience with structured problem-solving methods (e.g., 8D, root cause analysis)
- Experience working in regulated environments (FAA, aerospace quality systems)
- PMP or equivalent project/program management certification
- APICS (CPIM, CSCP) or equivalent supply chain certification
- Lean / Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher)
Full description
Summary
The Senior Supplier Program Manager is responsible for leading supplier performance and execution across assigned complex and high impact programs, leading supplier strategy, integration, and delivery outcomes. This role acts as the primary integrator between the Program Management Office (PMO) and supply chain ensuring alignment to program requirements, schedules, and technical expectations.
The focus is on proactive risk management, recovery execution, and cross-functional alignment, working closely with Engineering, Procurement, Operations, and Quality to ensure supplier performance supports program readiness. Operating in a program-based, design-to-order environment, this role drives and leads supplier accountability, resolves complex issues, and ensures execution across multiple programs and stakeholders.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Leads supplier integration for complex or high-risk suppliers - Drives alignment between suppliers and internal teams to ensure execution against program requirements, schedules, and technical expectations.
- Owns and executes supplier strategies – including supplier engagement, execution approach, and performance expectations aligned to program goals.
- Monitor delivery schedules, commitments, and execution status; identify risks, variances, and associated budget impacts.
- Owns and drives the supplier risk register for assigned complex suppliers - Ensure risks are identified, assessed, and actively managed with clear mitigation plans and follow-through.
- Leads supplier readiness assessments at key milestones - Evaluate readiness for design release, production, and delivery; clearly communicate risks, gaps, and required actions.
- Leads supplier escalation and recovery execution - corrective actions and coordinate cross-functional recovery efforts for at-risk suppliers, including escalation support as needed.
- Drive alignment between supplier plans and program schedules - Ensure supplier commitments, development plans, and execution timelines are realistic and synchronized with program needs.
- Identify and influence early supplier-related risks - Surface constraints related to capacity, design maturity, sub-tier dependencies, and execution gaps to inform program decisions.
- Serve as primary supplier execution interface for suppliers - Provide clear, consistent communication of supplier status, risks, and recovery actions to internal stakeholders.
- Ensure supplier delivery of product and required technical/certification data - Monitor execution of hardware and associated documentation to meet program and regulatory requirements.
- Coordinate supplier execution across multiple programs - Balance priorities, commitments, and risks where suppliers support multiple GTI programs.