Electronics Materials Manager

Astronics Connectivity Systems and Certification (formerly Telefonix PDT and Astronics Armstrong Aerospace) serves as the experienced, global market leader for in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) solutions for aircraft. As a systems certification provider, Astronics CSC has worked on over 100 projects for industry partners to upgrade commercial and business aircraft with new passenger power systems, IFEC navigation, communication and flight safety systems. Additionally, Astronics CSC offers proven IFEC hardware systems, flexible design platforms, high customer satisfaction, and long-term relationships with industry leaders to help make the connected aircraft a reality. The company now employs over 300 employees and is a six-time recipient of Chicago’s Best and Brightest Employers to Work For award.

This position is designated as onsite. The selected candidate must be willing and able to report to the Waukegan, IL location during scheduled work hours

Summary

Responsible for planning and managing daily procurement and materials management activities for the company’s electronic line replaceable unit (LRU) product lines, including wireless access points, servers, and modems. This role leads the electronics procurement team, ensures material availability to support production and customer demand, and drives cost, quality, and delivery performance across the supply base.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provide leadership for procurement related to our electronic product lines.
• Determine responsibilities of assigned organization and staff positions to accomplish the business objectives.
• Supervise human resource responsibilities, setting guidelines for personnel recruitment, evaluations and advancement.
• Trains and ensures that all assigned employees are aware of, understand, and comply with company and customer policies, procedures and regulations.

• Work with engineering on projects in development to identify potential procurement issues and opportunities.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for key electronic commodities (PCBAs, ICs, memory, harnesses, etc.).
• Identify potential new vendors. Interview and evaluate vendors based on pricing, lead time, and capability.
• Plan incoming materials according to production plan. Adjust delivery dates as customer requirements change. Balance cash flow with operational maximization.
• Analyze BOMs (Bills of Material) and identify materials with cost savings opportunities.
• Follow market trends and provide guidance and recommendation for long-term planning to senior management.
• Identify and assess supply risks (single-sourced items, geo-political risk, long lead items) and develop mitigation plans.
• Maintain safety stock, alternate suppliers, and contingency plans for critical components.
• Participate in production / S&OP / planning meetings to communicate material risks, constraints, and recovery plans.
• Submit RFQs (Requests for Quote) to vendors. Compare and review price to obtain best price and lead time.
• Issue Purchase Orders to vendors and follow up on material status.
• Develop qualified supplier and contractor base to support customer demands.
• Coordinate with vendors on pricing, lead time and technical issues.
• Own parameter settings (lead times, lot sizes, safety stock, reorder points) in the ERP/MRP system for electronic materials.
• Monitor component lifecycle status (e.g., EOL, NRND) and proactively manage substitutions and last-time buys.
• Work with engineering to qualify alternate parts and mitigate obsolescence and allocation risk.
• Review ECOs (Engineering Change Order).
• Generate pricing and formal quotes for customer RFQs.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and/or Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree or minimum of five years procurement experience
• Minimum of five years experience with MRP or ERP systems

Preferred:

• Experience working in the aerospace industry and with electronic commodities such as PCBAs, ICs, Memory, and Cable Harnesses.

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures. Able to parse large amounts of data and distinguishes the pieces with large impact.
• Customer Service - Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Judgment - Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions. Maintains Confidentiality.
• Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Adaptability - Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent.
• Dependability - Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have intermediate PC skills and knowledge of Internet software and Microsoft Office applications.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Personal Protective Equipment may be required when working in designated areas. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

An offer of employment is contingent on successfully passing a drug test and background check, and applicants who do not successfully pass both the drug test and background check will not be considered for employment.

The salary range specified is applicable to positions within the State of Illinois and reflects various factors considered in compensation decisions. These factors include, but are not limited to, individual skill sets, experience, training, licensure, certifications, and the specific needs of our business and organization. At Astronics CSC, it is uncommon for new hires to receive an offer at or near the top end of the range for their role. Compensation decisions are made based on the unique facts and circumstances of each candidate. The current estimated yearly salary range for this position is $80,000 to $100,000 per year. In addition, you will be eligible for our Quarterly Incentive compensation bonus. Astronics offers a competitive salary, along with opportunities for career growth.

Astronics CSC provides a comprehensive benefits package available to full-time employees, with part-time employees potentially eligible for these benefits on a pro-rated basis.

Stay Healthy – Health, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, FSA, HSA, as well as voluntary life/AD&D, voluntary critical illness, accident prevention and hospital indemnity.

Save for the Future – 401K, Profit Sharing & Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Astronics Corporation Profit Sharing/ 401(k) Plan is a “safe harbor” plan. Under the plan, Astronics has committed to contribute 3% of your eligible wages, with the ability to do an annual discretionary adder on top.

Find Balance – Employee Assistance Program & Wellness Program

Time for You – Generous Paid Time Off (PTOS), Volunteer Time Off Program (VTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave.

Professional Growth - Tuition Reimbursement Program

Accommodation Request

Astronics CSC is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment, please e-mail CSC-HR-All@astronics.com or call: 847-244-4500. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

Additional Information:

This position may involve access to items subject to U.S. export-control laws. Employment is contingent upon the employee’s authorization to access such items under applicable law. The company does not guarantee and is under no obligation to seek such authorization if it would be necessary.