Manager - Operational Purchasing

Sanad; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanad Aerotech in Abu Dhabi seeks a Manager for Gate 2 – Outside Vendor Performance to supervise procurement and repair order execution within the aerospace MRO sector. You will coordinate with procurement, warehouse, and kitting teams to ensure timely, compliant repair orders and optimize costs.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management with 8+ years in aerospace procurement or vendor performance, including 3+ years in leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or related field.
• APICS CIPM or CSCP certification preferred.
• Minimum 8 years in supply chain management, procurement, or vendor performance within aerospace, aviation, or MRO industries.
• At least 3 years in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Expertise in repair vendor management, turnaround time optimization, contract negotiation, cost control, and supplier risk management in regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee repair orders in Oracle cMRO and ensure timely initiation, approval, and tracking in line with procurement policies.
• Build and monitor vendor KPIs; conduct Quarterly Business Reviews and develop risk mitigation plans.
• Coordinate with procurement, kitting, and warehouse to align repair schedules and ensure part availability.
• Analyze historical turnaround times to improve vendor responsiveness and negotiate favorable terms.
• Lead and mentor buyers; prioritize workloads based on engine schedules and lead times.
• Generate detailed reports and dashboards; ensure compliance with FAA, EASA, and GCAA regulations.

Skills

Vendor management

Turnaround time optimization

Cost control

Contract negotiation

Data analysis

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management

APICS CIPM or CSCP certification

Tools

Oracle cMRO

Power BI

Excel

Job description

SANAD1201 - Manager - Operational Purchasing

Company:

Sanad Aerotech

Department:

Operations

Section:

Gate 2

Sub-Section:

Operational Purchasing

Location:

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Closing Date:

13-Nov-2026

About the Role

The Manager – Gate 2 (Outside Vendor Performance) plays a pivotal role in overseeing the performance of external repair vendors within the Aviation and Aero Engine MRO sector. This position ensures repair orders are executed timely and cost-effectively while upholding stringent quality standards and regulatory compliance. Operating within a dynamic MRO environment, the manager facilitates seamless coordination between procurement, material fulfillment, kitting, and warehouse teams to support engine maintenance and overhaul schedules. Expertise in Oracle cMRO system is essential for managing repair workflows, vendor tracking, and cost control, while close cross-functional collaboration ensures alignment with procurement strategies and uninterrupted engine assembly operations.

Your Responsibilities

• Vendor Performance Management & Repair Order Execution: Oversee timely initiation, approval, and tracking of repair orders in compliance with procurement policies and Oracle cMRO workflows. Collaborate with technical, goods handling, and quality teams to validate repair scope and vendor compliance, identify inefficiencies, and ensure repaired parts are returned and kitted on schedule.
• Vendor Relationship Management & Continuous Improvement: Build strong partnerships with OEM-approved MROs and third-party repair shops, monitor vendor KPIs, conduct Quarterly Business Reviews, and develop risk mitigation plans including alternative sourcing options. Engage legal and contracts teams for vendor agreement management.
• Coordination with Procurement, Kitting, and Warehouse Teams: Align repair order schedules with procurement and material teams to guarantee part availability. Facilitate timely receipt, inspection, and kitting of repaired components and provide real-time updates while escalating critical delays.
• Turnaround Time & Cost Control Optimization: Analyze historical turnaround times to enhance vendor responsiveness, identify cost-saving opportunities, negotiate vendor terms, and ensure expenditures align with budgets in Oracle cMRO. Collaborate with finance and commercial teams for budget compliance.
• Team Leadership & Performance Management: Lead and mentor a team of buyers handling repair orders, prioritize workloads based on engine schedules and vendor lead times, and foster collaboration with related teams for smooth repair part availability.
• Reporting, Compliance, and Process Optimization: Generate detailed reports and dashboards on repair orders and vendor performance, ensure adherence to aviation regulations (FAA, EASA, GCAA), and drive continuous improvements in vendor collaboration and procurement efficiency.

Who we are looking for

We seek a seasoned professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or a related field, preferably holding certifications such as APICS CIPM or CSCP. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 8 years’ experience in supply chain management, procurement, or vendor performance within aerospace, aviation, or MRO industries, including at least 3 years in a supervisory or managerial role. Expertise in repair vendor management, turnaround time optimization, contract negotiation, cost control, and supplier risk management in regulated environments is essential.

Strong competencies include repair order processing, procurement and supplier management, advanced data analysis and reporting using Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and Oracle cMRO, as well as leadership capabilities in managing procurement teams. Strategic thinking with a focus on operational excellence, vendor escalation handling, contract compliance, and continuous process optimization to meet repair turnaround objectives will ensure success in this role.

Additional Information for Internal Employees

This position reports directly to the Head – Gate 2 and supervises key roles including Supervisor, Senior Buyer, and Buyer within the Outside Vendor Performance section. Employees will engage extensively with cross-functional teams spanning procurement, warehouse, kitting, logistics, and finance to support engine maintenance schedules. The role requires proficient use of Oracle cMRO for repair order management and vendor performance analytics.

Internal candidates are encouraged to leverage their knowledge of company policies and systems to drive improvements in vendor collaboration, turnaround time efficiency, and cost control. Continuous learning and adherence to aviation regulatory standards (FAA, EASA, GCAA) are vital. Opportunities for leadership development and cross-departmental exposure are inherent in this role.

Additional Information for Internal Employees

The Manager – Gate 2 (Outside Vendor Performance) holds a Grade 9 position within the Operations department, classified as an Overhead/Full-time employee (FTE). This role is critical to maintaining operational excellence by ensuring repair vendors meet Sanad’s quality, cost, and performance benchmarks. Internal employees stepping into this position will benefit from structured support including training on Oracle cMRO, procurement workflows, and vendor management best practices.

Performance in this role will be closely monitored through comprehensive reporting and vendor performance dashboards. The position offers a challenging environment for professionals committed to advancing their career within the aerospace MRO sector by driving strategic initiatives, managing vendor risks, and fostering continuous improvement across repair order processes.