Senior Manager - Logistics & Optimization

United Airlines; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

United Airlines seeks a Senior Manager – AOG Operations to lead a global, 24/7/365 AOG team from the Network Operations Center. You will drive rapid recovery for aircraft, oversee loans/borrows, and coordinate with TechOps and procurement to meet service levels and reduce costs.

You will analyze performance data, set priorities, and implement strategic improvements to shorten recovery times and optimize the AOG process across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business or related field.
• Minimum 7 years in Supply Chain and/or AOG/Logistics rapid response.
• Minimum 4 years’ supervisory experience.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Lead a 24/7/365 AOG operations organization with global accountability for recovery of aircraft.
• Define strategy and oversee Loans, Borrows and Accommodation Sales functions.
• Collaborate with TechOps and enterprise partners to meet Service Levels.
• Develop and implement strategic AOG initiatives to reduce recovery time and costs.
• Use data, trends, and root-cause analysis to drive improvements and actions.
• Coordinate with planning, shops, and procurement to resolve root causes driving borrows.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business or related field

Job description

Senior Manager - Logistics & Optimization

Location: Arlington Heights, Illinois, United States | Job Type: Full-Time | Posted Date: 10/20/2026

Description

At United, we have some of the best aircraft in the world. Our Technical Operations team is full of aircraft maintenance technicians, engineers, planners, ground equipment and facilities professionals, and supply chain teams that help make sure they’re well taken care of and ready to get our customers to their desired destinations. If you’re ready to work on our planes, join our Tech Ops experts and help keep our fleet in tip‑top shape.

Job Overview and Responsibilities

The Senior Manager – AOG Operations will develop, operationalize and manage the day‑to‑day operations to ensure the most appropriate response and prompt recovery for United’s Aircraft On Ground (AOG). The role leads a 24/7/365 organization based in the Network Operations Center with global accountability for rapid response to material and tooling shortages. The Senior Manager develops and executes short and medium‑term strategies to reduce aircraft recovery time and manage costs in partnership with internal and external stakeholders. The role uses operational data, performance trends, and root‑cause analysis to make informed decisions, establish priorities, and continuously improve AOG recovery mechanisms and business results.

• Lead and manage a 24/7/365 organization with global accountability
  • Leads and oversee all aspects of the AOG operations, to ensure prompt recovery of aircraft throughout the system, prompt, and on‑time procurement of materials for planned work and deferrals/MELs
  • Define and update strategy, provide management oversight and direction for the Loans, Borrows and Accommodation Sales department
  • Work with stakeholders across the TechOps and the enterprise to ensure goals and Service level are met for our customers
• Development of strategic AOG initiatives to enhance speed to recovery either within AOG or across the organization in a cost‑effective fashion
  • Analyze data, performance and issues and implementation of appropriate action plans/corrective measures to produce improvements and enhancements to meet or/and improve vs. goals
  • Build aggressive but achievable goals in conjunction with senior leadership, determined by strategic direction
  • Establish the means and resources to action new and current mechanisms of recovery effectively, in coordination with other groups, to ensure prompt recovery in case of AOG situations. This is critically important to meet recovery targets that have considerably decreased and improved over the years
• Lead the Loans, Borrows and Accommodation Sale functions, to include:
  • Ensuring timely resolution of borrowed parts to lending airline to meet cost and days on wing targets
  • Coordinating with Supply Chain planning, internal shops/OSV’s and Procurement teams to understand root cause driving borrows and implementation of corrective measures to avoid future borrows
  • Developing and maintaining strong airline relationships with IATP, or peer‑to‑peer
  • Maximizing loan revenue generation for United, while ensuring United’s Service Level targets are maintained throughout the Loans process
  • Managing the Accommodation Sales Process for the airline
• Utilize continuous improvement tools and techniques to drive business results. Manage financial, operational, people and process related objectives to drive continuous improvement in the organization

Qualifications

• What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):
  • Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business or related field or 4 years of relevant/comparable work experience
  • Minimum 7 years focused experience in fields of the Supply Chain and/or AOG/Logistics rapid response
  • Minimum 4 years’ supervisory experience
  • Minimum 4 years’ experience in Supply Chain, overseeing many facets of the business
  • At least 2 years in AOG
  • Managing and directing diverse teams
  • Comprehensive understanding of Supply Chain Planning and Management
  • Strong industry and process knowledge of Loans, Borrows & Tooling processes
  • Strong leadership and communication skills
  • Self‑Motivated Engrained Continuous Improvement experience
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
  • Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
  • Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications)

• Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt
• DGS Certification
• Formal Lean Six Sigma/Continuous Improvement methodologies
• Airline, aviation, or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) experience.