DMS Program Manager

About the job

How you'll help us Keep Climbing (overview & key responsibilities)

The DMS Program Manager is responsible for overseeing third-party vendors performing services on behalf of Delta Air Lines and Delta Material Services (DMS). These services include aircraft storage, reactivation, disassembly, engine preservation, maintenance execution, parts harvesting, inventory management, warehousing, and asset sales. The Program Manager serves as the primary liaison between Delta/DMS and external vendors, ensuring all activities are executed in compliance with FAA regulations, Delta policies, quality standards, operational requirements, and commercial objectives.

This role drives vendor accountability, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, cost control, schedule adherence, and continuous improvement across all assigned programs while maintaining the highest standards of safety and airworthiness.

Key Responsibilities - Vendor Oversight & Compliance

• Direct oversight of vendor operations supporting aircraft storage, maintenance, engine preservation, disassembly, and parts harvesting activities.
• Ensure vendor compliance with FAA regulations, Delta and DMS policies, procedures, quality standards, and airworthiness requirements.
• Verify proper certification, documentation, and release of aircraft, engines, components, and materials.
• Conduct routine audits and process reviews to validate procedural compliance and operational effectiveness.

Program Execution & Operational Management

• Monitor daily vendor performance, project progress, and schedule adherence to support Delta and DMS operational requirements.
• Communicate program status, risks, and deviations from plan to internal stakeholders and leadership.
• Collaborate with vendors and cross-functional teams to resolve issues related to scope, quality, cost, schedule, and resource allocation.
• Drive corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance vendor performance and operational results.

Inventory & Materials Management

• Ensure accurate inventory control throughout removal, tagging, transportation, warehousing, and distribution processes.
• Validate vendor transactions within SAP, MIRS, and related systems to maintain material traceability and inventory accuracy.
• Conduct random inspections of parts and components to verify serviceability and regulatory compliance prior to shipment.
• Investigate inventory discrepancies, tagging errors, shipping issues, and removal damage events to determine root causes and implement sustainable solutions.

Financial & Commercial Oversight

• Review and validate vendor invoices, work packages, and billed services to ensure alignment with contractual scope and completed work.
• Monitor project costs and identify opportunities to optimize operational and financial performance.
• Support strategic decision-making through analysis of vendor performance metrics, operational trends, and business impacts.

Training & Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate and oversee vendor training on critical Delta and DMS processes, systems, and compliance requirements.
• Monitor training completion and ongoing compliance with established standards.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for vendor operations, fostering strong partnerships and driving accountability through collaboration and performance management.

What you need to succeed (minimum qualifications)

• Consistently prioritizes safety and security of self, others, and personal data.
• Embraces diverse people, thinking, and styles.
• Possesses a high school diploma, GED, or high school equivalency.
• Is at least 18 years of age and has authorization to work in the United States.
• FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) License required.
• Minimum five years of aviation maintenance, engineering, technical operations, or aircraft asset management experience.
• Extensive knowledge of aircraft systems, technical documentation, maintenance programs, airworthiness requirements, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong understanding of aircraft storage, preservation, reactivation, disassembly, and parts harvesting processes.
• Willingness to work off-shift hours, weekends, and holidays as operational demands require.
• Ability to travel extensively (80%-100%) in support of vendor oversight and program execution.
• Position is safety-sensitive and subject to applicable drug-testing requirements. Demonstrates and promotes Delta's core values of: Honesty, Integrity, Respect, Perseverance, Servant Leadership
• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture by ensuring compliance with all safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrate safety-conscious behaviors in all operational activities and decision-making processes.

Systems & Business Knowledge

• Working knowledge of Delta TechOps systems, including SCEPTRE, MIRS, GEM, SAP, and related operational platforms.
• Experience with inventory control, materials management, and supply chain processes.Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Access, and Project.
• Strong program and project management capabilities with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Proven ability to influence vendor performance and lead issue resolution across cross-functional organizations.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills utilizing data-driven decision-making.
• Experience leading process improvement initiatives and delivering measurable operational results.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications)