Materials Program Manager

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

 

Summary
AV has an immediate opening for a Materials Program Manager to support our Products & Space Systems portfolio. The Materials Program Manager is an integral member of the AV manufacturing team and collaborates to identify and onboard necessary material sources that achieve desired performance goals on pricing, contract terms, on time delivery and other necessary agreements. This position is responsible for leading a team of Material Program Managers and Material Planners along with understanding and collaborating to obtain and maintain program inventory, production floor execution, final system shipments and mitigations of associated risks.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Material Managers and Material Planners for the Space and RF Systems divisions
• Make/Buy program planning and lead cost estimating
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through strategic sourcing, vendor consolidation, and alternative materials evaluation
• Lead the creation and implementation of comprehensive sourcing strategies for materials that align with the company's business goals and supply chain objectives
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure high-quality materials, timely delivery, and long-term partnerships
• Monitor and analyze global market trends, material costs, and supply chain disruptions to inform purchasing decisions and adjust strategies as needed
• Conduct regular assessments of supplier performance, including quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness
• Support implementation and improvement of supply chain systems, planning tools, and reporting processes
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for material planning activities
• Serve as lead point of contact in the organization for prioritization and scheduling of tasks associated with hardware procurement and build activity in conjunction with Engineering Leads, Program Leads, Quality personnel, Finance, internal or external manufacturing facilities as well as other elements within Engineering, and Supply Chain Management
• Understand and communicate material lead times and inventory risk
• Monitor procurement performance metrics and proactively act to address program and functional issues
• Update status of parts and materials using automated systems
• Identify and report problems and recommendations to ensure part availability
• Coordinate raw material post processing schedules with outside businesses
• Analyze problems and resolve or reconcile discrepancies with parts and materials to maintain inventory and system accuracy
• Coordinate with other functional groups to execute priorities, expedite and complete production activities to avoid schedule delays
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Quality, Business, Engineering, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred
• 7+ years of experience in sourcing, procurement, or Sourcing management, with a focus on materials or commodities
• Demonstrated expertise with a modern ERP system, similar to SAP, Oracle or comparable experience in manufacturing environments
• Demonstrated expertise with Microsoft Office tools
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively in cross functional environment
• Demonstrated ability to work independently
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work under limited supervision
• Able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense Security Clearance

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Expertise with Aegis FactoryLogix MES usage and operation
• Experience working with Unanet, Flowtrac, Arena, Microsoft 365, and Impromptu reporting
• Knowledge of U.S. Government acquisition laws and regulations (Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFAR))
• Proven Experience with import and export laws (International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR)

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment (Constant)
• Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)
• May have some exposure to outside environment while traveling (Occasionally)

Special Requirements

• Must be able to travel within the Continental U.S. and internationally when required.

Clearance Level

 

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:

$106,500 - $162,500

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits:  AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.  For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit:  http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply.  NO agencies please.

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

 

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR

U.S. Citizenship required. Must be willing to work on government contracts and have the ability to obtain a security clearance.