Strategic Program Manager Jobs in Columbus, OH (NOW HIRING)

Total Aviation Staffing is hiring a Strategic Program & Sourcing Lead for our client, an established aerospace and defense company supporting critical aviation sustainment programs.

This role is ideal for someone who understands aviation operations, aerospace aftermarket support, defense programs, procurement, supplier management, and customer coordination. You will support the day-to-day execution of the KC-46 sustainment program while helping drive sourcing strategy, supplier performance, program execution, and customer relationship management.

This is a strong opportunity for a motivated aviation or aerospace professional who enjoys working independently, solving problems, coordinating across teams, and keeping complex programs moving forward. If you have experience in program management, sourcing, procurement, customer account management, or aerospace operations, this role gives you the chance to step into a high-visibility position with real impact.

As the Strategic Program & Sourcing Lead, you will help manage program priorities, supplier engagement, customer communication, and operational execution.

Key responsibilities include:

• Support and oversee day-to-day execution of KC-46 program requirements.
• Coordinate with Purchasing, Logistics, Finance, Contracts, and internal operations teams.
• Serve as a key point of contact for customer and government-related communications.
• Monitor delivery schedules, supplier performance, program timelines, and operational risks.
• Proactively identify issues and coordinate solutions to keep program deliverables on track.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to support sourcing and procurement goals.
• Analyze market trends, supplier capabilities, and sourcing opportunities.
• Support procurement execution, supplier negotiations, and delivery performance improvement.
• Manage customer accounts, contract requirements, and ongoing program activity.
• Use reporting tools, Microsoft Excel, ERP systems, CRM platforms, and internal systems to track program activity and performance.

The ideal candidate is organized, proactive, and comfortable working across multiple departments. You should be able to manage competing priorities, communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders, and make sound decisions in a fast-paced aerospace environment.

• Must be a United States citizen.
• 2–8+ years of experience in aviation, aerospace, defense, MRO, logistics, procurement, or a related environment.
• Experience supporting program management, customer account management, operations, sourcing, procurement, or supplier coordination.
• Strong relationship management and communication skills.
• Experience working with contracts, customer requirements, or program deliverables.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience using ERP, CRM, reporting, or similar business systems.
• Strong problem-solving, follow-up, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Professional written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience supporting U.S. Government aviation programs, defense contracts, or military sustainment programs.
• Familiarity with aviation sustainment, aerospace aftermarket services, or commercial airline support.
• Experience in MRO, aircraft maintenance, parts distribution, or FAA Part 145 environments.
• Background in strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier management, or supply chain operations.
• Knowledge of aerospace systems, aircraft components, aviation logistics, or defense program support.
• Experience coordinating with government, military, airline, or aerospace customers.

This position offers the chance to work in a meaningful aerospace and defense environment where your work directly supports aviation sustainment, supplier performance, and operational readiness.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Support a high-impact defense aviation sustainment program.
• Work across sourcing, program management, procurement, and customer coordination.
• Build relationships with suppliers, internal teams, and key customers.
• Take ownership of important program activity in a fast-moving environment.
• Grow within a company serving the aerospace, defense, and aviation aftermarket sectors.

This opportunity offers:

• Competitive salary
• Commission opportunities
• Comprehensive benefits package
• 401(k)
• Professional growth opportunities
• Meaningful work supporting aerospace sustainment and defense aviation programs

If you have experience in aviation, aerospace, defense, procurement, sourcing, program management, or customer account management, we encourage you to apply.

This is a strong opportunity to step into a strategic role where your ability to manage relationships, solve problems, and drive execution will directly support mission-critical aerospace programs.

Total Aviation Staffing connects qualified aviation and aerospace professionals with career opportunities across commercial aviation, business aviation, MRO, aerospace manufacturing, defense, and aviation technology.