Senior Manager - Planning
Position Title: Senior Manager – Costing and Contracts
Function - Engineering
Location - Gurugam
Reporting to - Head Planning
Job Purpose :
Budgeting & Cost Control
Prepare and maintain budgets for engineering projects, heavy checks, base maintenance, line maintenance programs, and fleet reliability modifications.
Build cost models incorporating aircraft maintenance drivers such as labor, parts, MRO events, downtime, and heavy checks (aligned with international MRO cost‑analysis standards).
Track actual vs budgeted costs, analyze variances, and recommend corrective actions.
Use benchmarking techniques comparable to airline operational cost benchmarking methods to compare internal vs. industry performance.
Develop cost‑tracking methodologies and periodic cost reports for engineering leadership.
Risk Management & Forecasting
Conduct risk assessments to identify uncertainties affecting engineering costs, schedule, or contractual deliverables.
Evaluate in‑house vs outsourced maintenance tasks using recognized MRO cost comparison criteria.
Develop mitigation strategies for financial, contractual, and operational risks.
Prepare long-term cost forecasts for fleet maintenance, asset retirement, and major engineering projects.
Contract Management
Lead contract drafting, review, and negotiation for Engineering contracts—MRO agreements, PBH (Power-by-the-Hour) contracts, component repair contracts, tool lease contracts, and engineering consultancy agreements. Supported by contract-related responsibilities in airline roles.
Assist in vendor evaluation, contract renewal, amendment analysis, and cost impacts of contract changes.
Skills/Qualities Required
Detail Orientation
Time Management
Regulatory Knowledge
DGCA/CAME/AD/SB mastery
Planning & Coordination
Task sequencing and packaging
Technical Writing Task cards and compliance documentation
Leadership
Cross-functional governance
Key Performance Indicators
Budget Accuracy - Variance vs forecast following IATA cost-control practices
Contract SLA Compliance - SLA adherence as used in global MRO contracts
Cost Savings Delivered - Savings against benchmarks (maintenance, MRO, OEM pricing) Vendor Performance Index Based on TAT, quality, and cost efficiency metrics
Data Integrity - Accuracy of costing models and AMOS/M&E system master data
Internal Interfaces
Engineering Planning - Align maintenance work scopes with budgeted cost and contractual constraints
Reliability Engineering - Provide failure trend insights that influence cost forecasts and contract terms
MCC / Line Maintenance - Share unplanned maintenance data impacting AOG costs and SLA performance
Supply Chain & Procurement - Coordinate sourcing, pricing, and vendor negotiations for cost-effective outcomes
Finance (FP&A) - Ensure accurate budgeting, forecasting, and accrual alignment for engineering costs
Quality & Compliance - Maintain regulatory compliance that affects contract eligibility and warranty claims
External Interfaces
OEMs - Collaborate on technical clarifications, warranty, and product support cost implications
MRO Providers - Manage shop visits, turnaround times, and contract-driven performance obligations
Repair Shops / Vendors - Oversee component repair costs, TAT adherence, and value-engineering opportunities
Regulators (DGCA/Authorities) - Ensure adherence to aviation regulations influencing cost and contract execution
Leasing Companies / Pool Providers - Coordinate rotable pool usage, cost settlements, and redelivery compliance
Educational and Experience Requirements
Minimum Education requirements –
Bachelor’s in engineering (Aero/Mech/Electrical) or AME license.
MBA or certification in Contract Management / Supply Chain preferred (aligned with global Contract Manager standards) is preferred.
Experience
Minimum –
10–12 years in aviation engineering costing, maintenance planning, or MRO contract management
Desired –
Experience with PBH/MRO agreements, FAA/DGCA compliance, benchmarking, and advanced contract negotiation (aligned with aviation contract roles).