Manager Strategic Material Planning

Etihad Engineering; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 360,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Etihad Engineering seeks a senior leader to head material planning within its aviation MRO operations in the UAE. You will drive data-driven planning, optimize inventory, and balance service levels with cost.

This role requires 12–15 years in aviation MRO, strong leadership, and hands-on ERP/MRO experience (AMOS, CMRO). You will lead a high-performing team and collaborate across Engineering, Maintenance, Procurement, and Finance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain or engineering (master's strongly preferred).
• 12–15 years of experience in aviation supply chain / MRO.
• Proven leadership in material planning and inventory optimization.
• Strong knowledge of aircraft consumables, expendables, components, repair cycles, and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Experience with ERP/MRO systems (e.g., AMOS, CMRO).
• Strong strategic and analytical leader capable of driving execution and results.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute material planning strategy aligned with operational and financial objectives.
• Implement advanced data-driven forecasting and system-based planning models and efficiency.
• Balance service levels, cost, and risk across all material categories.
• Deliver high material availability across routine, non-routine, and replenishment demand.
• Minimize AOG exposure and operational disruptions through proactive planning.
• Align material planning with maintenance schedules, fleet plans, and customer demand.
• Optimize inventory levels, stock turns, and working capital.
• Eliminate non-moving and excess inventory, including customer-owned stock timely return.
• Deliver material targets and cost efficiencies.
• Ensure full compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Maintain audit readiness with zero critical findings or overdue actions.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, Procurement, and Finance to align priorities.
• Support customer service delivery and satisfaction targets.
• Drive automation and system-based replenishment.
• Lead continuous improvement and process standardization initiatives.
• Build and lead a high-performing planning team.
• Develop team capability through training, coaching, and diverse MRO business exposure.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Data-driven decision making

Communication

Change management

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain or Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

AMOS

CMRO

ERP/MRO platforms

Job description

Job Purpose

Lead strategic material planning to ensure optimal inventory availability at the lowest total cost. Drive supply chain resilience, minimize aircraft downtime, and enable operational continuity through data-driven planning, risk mitigation and build high-performing supply chain that minimizes operational disruption.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute material planning strategy aligned with operational and financial objectives
• Implement advanced data-driven forecasting and system-based planning models and efficiency
• Balance service levels, cost, and risk across all material categories
• Deliver high material availability across routine, non-routine, and replenishment demand
• Minimize AOG exposure and operational disruptions through proactive planning
• Align material planning with maintenance schedules, fleet plans, and customer demand
• Optimize inventory levels, stock turns, and working capital
• Eliminate non-moving and excess inventory, including customer-owned stock timely return
• Deliver material targets and cost efficiencies
• Ensure full compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards
• Maintain audit readiness with zero critical findings or overdue actions
• Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, Procurement, and Finance to align priorities
• Support customer service delivery and satisfaction targets
• Drive automation and system-based replenishment
• Lead continuous improvement and process standardization initiatives
• Build and lead a high-performing planning team
• Develop team capability through training, coaching, and diverse MRO business exposure
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, Engineering, or related field (master's strongly preferred)
• 12–15 years of experience in aviation supply chain / MRO
• Proven leadership in material planning and inventory optimization
• Strong knowledge of aircraft consumables, expendables, components, repair cycles, and regulatory requirements
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Experience with ERP/MRO systems (e.g., AMOS, CMRO)
• Strong strategic and analytical leader with commercial acumen, capable of driving execution, influencing stakeholders, and delivering results under uncertainty.
• Ability to lead, develop, and manage teams, motivating them to achieve targets and drive improvement.