Program Manager, Critical Suppliers- 515 Program

Position Overview

The Program Manager, Critical Suppliers – 515 Program will lead and oversee the strategic management, performance, and execution of key supplier relationships supporting the CL-515 program. This role will be accountable for ensuring critical suppliers are aligned with program requirements and capable of meeting production demands, delivery schedules, quality expectations, and cost objectives.

Working closely with Supply Chain, Procurement, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Planning, and other key stakeholders, the Program Manager will proactively identify and address supplier-related risks, resolve performance challenges, and drive recovery plans to protect program milestones and production objectives.

The successful candidate will take a proactive, solutions-oriented approach, establishing strong relationships with critical suppliers while driving accountability, transparency, and measurable performance improvements. This role will serve as a key interface between De Havilland Canada and its critical suppliers, ensuring supplier readiness, capacity, and execution remain aligned with the evolving needs of the 515 program.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the overall supplier program management strategy for critical suppliers supporting the 515 program, ensuring alignment with production requirements, program milestones, and business objectives.
• Establish and maintain strong strategic relationships with key suppliers, serving as the primary escalation point for significant supplier performance, delivery, quality, and capacity concerns.
• Monitor and drive supplier performance against key metrics, including on-time delivery, quality, production capacity, lead times, and overall execution.
• Work collaboratively with Supply Chain, Procurement, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Planning to ensure supplier deliverables align with production requirements and program priorities.
• Proactively identify supplier risks, constraints, and potential disruptions, developing mitigation strategies and contingency plans to protect production schedules.
• Lead supplier recovery initiatives and action plans where performance is below expectations, establishing clear accountabilities, timelines, and measurable improvement targets.
• Assess supplier capacity, capability, and operational readiness to support current and future 515 program production requirements and ramp-up objectives.
• Drive resolution of complex supplier issues, coordinating internal resources and engaging senior supplier leadership when required to achieve timely outcomes.
• Establish and maintain regular supplier performance reviews, program governance, escalation processes, and reporting mechanisms to provide visibility into supplier health and program risks.
• Monitor supplier-related financial and commercial considerations, working with Procurement and Supply Chain to identify cost pressures, contractual risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Support strategic supplier planning, including capacity planning, demand forecasting, and long-term supplier readiness to support program growth.
• Provide regular program updates, performance dashboards, risk assessments, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities to strengthen supplier performance, operational execution, and overall program delivery.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Operations, or a related field. Aviation or aerospace experience is preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in program management, strategic supplier management, supply chain, procurement, or operations, preferably within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing strategic supplier relationships and driving performance improvements across multiple suppliers.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders without direct reporting authority.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, supply chain processes, production planning, and supplier delivery requirements.
• Experience managing supplier performance, including delivery recovery, capacity constraints, quality issues, and operational risks.
• Strong commercial and analytical capabilities, including the ability to interpret supplier performance data, identify trends, and develop actionable recommendations.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, relationship management, and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to interact with senior leadership and external supplier executives.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate complex challenges in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, drive accountability, and deliver results against aggressive program timelines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint; experience with ERP and project management systems is an asset.
• PMP or other relevant program/project management certification is considered an asset.
• Ability to travel within Canada and internationally as required.
• French language proficiency is considered an asset.