Principal Specialist, Procurement - New Product Introduction

Collins Aerospace; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 87,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

3 weeks of vacation

401(k) with employer matching

Tuition reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment Program

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Collins Aerospace is seeking a Principal Specialist in Procurement NPI to lead sourcing, supplier selection, negotiations, and program execution. You will drive delivery assurance, manage contracts and purchase orders, and work cross-functionally to reduce costs while safeguarding quality.

A university degree and US citizenship are required, with aerospace/manufacturing background preferred. The role emphasizes supplier performance, risk mitigation, and process improvements within a onsite setup

Qualifications

• University degree or equivalent; advanced degree with 3+ years experience.
• US Citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Manages execution of processes, standards, and plans in support of Procurement strategy (RFPs, negotiation strategy, cost accountability).
• Monitors suppliers to schedule/expedite deliveries and resolve shortages or delays.
• Manage escalations and drive resolution with internal customers.
• Perform delivery assurance actions to mitigate impact on production and customers.
• Support and perform report-out activities for internal/external requests.
• Direct vendor selection and management to minimize cost without compromising quality.
• Review price trends and manufacturing changes; recommend procurement actions.
• Authorize purchase orders, negotiate prices, approve payments.
• Analyze contract performance for compliance and changes.
• Oversee supplier relationships and performance.
• Direct schedules and purchase orders; ensure on-time delivery and quality.

Skills

Sourcing

Supplier selection

Negotiations

Cost management

Program execution

Supplier performance

Delivery coordination

Risk mitigation

Contracts management

Purchase orders

Process improvement

Lean manufacturing

SAP

Education

University degree

Advanced degree

Tools

None

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-10

Country: United States of America

Location: US-CT-WINDSOR LOCKS-B1 1 Hamilton Rd BLDG 1

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance Type: None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status: Not Required

At RTX, the world largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.

Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

Principal Specialist, Procurement NPI

leads NPI procurement activities including sourcing, supplier selection, negotiations, cost management, and program execution. Drives supplier performance and delivery assurance while resolving escalations and ensuring on-time delivery, quality, and cost objectives. Partners cross-functionally to mitigate supply risks, manage contracts and purchase orders, and identify process and cost improvements.

What You Will Do:

• Manages execution of processes, standards, and operational plans in support of Procurement strategy, including RFPs, negotiation strategy, cost accountability, and/or program execution.

• Monitors and coordinates suppliers to schedule or expedite deliveries to ensure resolution of problems such as shortages and missed or late deliveries.

• Manages escalations and drive resolution of internal customer issues or problems through independent and cross functional actions.

• Perform advanced delivery assurance actions with high pain supplier(s) to mitigate production floor and end customer impact.

• Support and perform various report out activities to support internal and external customer requests.

• Directs programs for effective vendor selection and management with a view to minimize purchasing costs without compromising quality or reliability of supply.

• Reviews changes in price trends and manufacturing processes and makes recommendations to ensure successful procurement process.

• Authorizes purchase orders, negotiates prices and approves payments to support the procurement process.

• Analyzes and monitors contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and to help determine need for changes.

• Responsible for overseeing supplier relationships and ensuring supplier performance.

• Directs and manages all schedules, and purchase orders.

• Ensures product is delivered on time, meets quality standards, and at the right cost.

• Makes recommendation for process improvements

• May oversee material cost estimating functions.

• Oversees team’s compliance documentation.

• Other duties as needed.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a University Degree or equivalent experience and minimum 5 years prior relevant experience, or An Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years experience

• US Citizen

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Experience in the Aerospace and manufacturing/operations industry

• Works well in a team environment, highly motivated

• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines

• Managing cost reduction initiatives

• Lean manufacturing experience and Knowledge of Continuous Improvement / CORE

• Familiarity with SAP

What We Offer:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
• Adoption Assistance
• Autism Benefit
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
• Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
• And more!

Operations, Supply Chain and EH&S:

The next chapter of our future as an aerospace company is here, and we are excited about what this means for our employees and customers! Get onboard the Collins Aerospace Operations team and play a part in managing our innovative products from inception to delivery. The Operations team continues to grow and aims to strengthen the connection of Manufacturing Operations, Supply Chain and Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) across Collins Aerospace. In this dynamic environment, you will have the opportunity to network across our businesses and functions, all while improving the productivity, quality and efficiency of our operations worldwide.

Collins Aerospace, a RTX company, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.

WE ARE REDEFINING AEROSPACE.

Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.

Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other -- propel us all higher, again and again.

Salary Range:

The salary range for this role is 86,800 USD - 165,200 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Benefits:

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.