Aftermarket Services Program Manager

About the Position

Astronics Connectivity Systems and Certification (formerly Telefonix PDT and Astronics Armstrong Aerospace) serves as the experienced, global market leader for in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) solutions for aircraft. As a systems certification provider, Astronics CSC has worked on over 100 projects for industry partners to upgrade commercial and business aircraft with new passenger power systems, IFEC navigation, communication, and flight safety systems. Additionally, Astronics CSC offers proven IFEC hardware systems, flexible design platforms, high customer satisfaction, and long-term relationships with industry leaders to help make the connected aircraft a reality. The company now employs over 300 employees and is a six-time recipient of Chicago's Best and Brightest Employers to Work For award.

We are seeking an Aftermarket Services Program Manager to join our team in Waukegan, Illinois, United States. This role will act as the primary point of contact between the customer and the company for all aftermarket activity, including repairs (RMA and BRMA) and spares support, across the product's in-service life.

Responsibilities

• Customer Engagement: Serve as the primary point of contact with the customer for all repair (RMA/BRMA) and spares activity throughout the product's in-service and end-of-life (EOL) phases.
• Financial Management: Manage revenue and, with the assistance of the Operations team, manage profit margins associated with repair and spares programs for assigned customer(s).
• RMA and BRMA Management:
  • Own the end-to-end RMA and BRMA process for assigned customer(s), including working with the Repair Station Customer Service representatives during intake, evaluation, quoting, disposition, and closure.
  • Work with the Repair Station Customer Service representatives to ensure accuracy (e.g., pricing, hardware part number and revision) of open RMA's and BRMA's.
  • Facilitate necessary cross-functional support (Repair Station, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain) to meet internal and contractual turnaround time (TAT) goals.
  • Monitor and manage repair backlog, aging units, and escalations; drive root-cause analysis and corrective action on repeat or high-volume returns.
  • Track and report RMA/BRMA metrics (volume, TAT, cost, first-pass yield) to internal and customer stakeholders.
• Spares Management:
  • Own the spares forecasting, planning, and order management process for assigned customer(s).
  • Monitor and manage spares inventory levels, open orders, and shipped reports against forecast to ensure on-time delivery and minimize inventory exposure.
  • Coordinate with Supply Chain and Production to prioritize spares builds against production and repair demand.
  • Proactively identify and communicate spares shortages, lead time risks, and obsolescence issues to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Supply Chain Collaboration:
  • Work closely with the Supply Chain team to proactively review material shortages affecting repairs and spares; work with Engineering to identify and qualify alternate components.
  • With the assistance of the Supply Chain team, manage repair and spares inventory levels to meet delivery requirements while minimizing inventory exposure.
• Compliance and Quality Management: In partnership with the Quality and Compliance team, ensure repaired products and spares adhere to customer quality and compliance requirements, and manage and maintain these standards, including warranty and repeat-defect trending.
• Risk Management: Proactively manage and mitigate risks specific to repairs and spares.
  • Proactively and regularly identify potential risks, including repair capacity constraints, TAT slippage, spares stockouts, component obsolescence, and quality escapes.
  • Conduct thorough risk assessments to understand the scope and potential impact of identified risks.
  • Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans to address identified risks.
• Commercial Agreements:
  • Manage aftermarket-related commercial agreements such as Repair or Depot Agreements, Product Support Agreements (PSA), Statements of Work (SoW), Warranty terms, and Aftermarket Services Agreements.
  • Work with customer(s) to define scope of work for repairs and spares, generate requests for quotes, communicate commercial proposals, and secure purchase orders.
  • Work with the Operations team throughout commercial agreement phases to ensure "buy in" to the agreement.
• Interdepartmental Coordination:
  • Coordinate activities related to the Repair Station, Quality, and Production as needed to support aftermarket demand.
  • Track and communicate ad-hoc customer requests, deliverables, deadlines, data requests, and program updates in a timely and effective manner, and ensure Operations assistance in gathering this information.
  • Coordinate handoff and alignment with the Operations Program Manager on units transitioning between new production and aftermarket support.
• Customer Reviews: Lead and drive aftermarket-focused customer reviews such as Repair/Spares Performance Reviews and Quarterly Business Reviews (QBR).
• Internal Reviews: Lead and drive internal Repair Station Readiness and Aftermarket Program Management Reviews as needed.
• Business Development Coordination: Coordinate any new aftermarket service opportunities (e.g., expanded repair scope, new spares agreements) with the Business Development team.
• Process Improvement: Support continuous process improvement to enhance efficiency, quality, and productivity in repair and spares operations, including reducing TAT and improving forecast accuracy.

Requirements

• Education and/or Experience:
  • Required: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field; Minimum 5 years of experience in aftermarket services, repair operations, or a related field.
  • Preferred: Two-plus years of experience in the aviation/aerospace industry; Experience with MRO, repair station operations, or spares/inventory management; PMP, Six Sigma Black Belt, or other relevant professional certifications preferred.

We Offer

• Compensation & Benefits:
  • Base salary: $95,000 - $125,000, influenced by several factors including experience, skill set, education, certifications, market conditions, and business needs. In addition, you will be eligible for our Quarterly Incentive compensation bonus.
  • Stay Healthy – Health, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, FSA, HSA, as well as voluntary life/AD&D, voluntary critical illness, accident prevention and hospital indemnity.
  • Save for the Future – 401K, Profit Sharing & Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Find Balance – Employee Assistance Program & Wellness Program
  • Time for You – Generous Paid Time Off (PTOS), Volunteer Time Off Program (VTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave.
  • Professional Growth - Tuition Reimbursement Program

About the Company

Astronics Corporation (Nasdaq: ATRO) serves the world's aerospace, defense, and other mission-critical industries with proven, innovative technology solutions. Astronics works side-by-side with customers, integrating its array of power, connectivity, lighting, structures, interiors, and test technologies to solve complex challenges. For over 50 years, Astronics has delivered creative, customer-focused solutions with exceptional responsiveness. Today, global airframe manufacturers, airlines, militaries, completion centers, and Fortune 500 companies rely on the collaborative spirit and innovation of Astronics. The Company's strategy is to increase its value by developing technologies and capabilities that provide innovative solutions to its targeted markets.

For more information on Astronics and its solutions, visit www.Astronics.com.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.