Good Project Management, Bad Business Management - Purchasing and Contracts VSE Employee Review

Excellent 12-week program structure with plenty of mentoring and professional growth

None - it was a great program

VSE Aviation was where my aviation career truly took flight. Over my 7 years there, I had the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally. The company gave me the platform to develop deep customer relationships, expand my industry knowledge, and build confidence in my ability to lead and problem-solve in high-stakes situations. I worked alongside talented individuals who were supportive, driven, and always willing to collaborate. The leadership team encouraged innovation and open communication, and I always felt like my contributions mattered. There was also a strong focus on continuous improvement, which challenged me to keep learning and adapting—a trait that’s now second nature. VSE gave me the kind of experience that not only helped shape my approach to business, but also set the tone for the standard of excellence I bring into every role moving forward.

The purchasing strategy, particularly when it came to aligning with long-term repair and inventory planning, could have benefited from a more proactive and collaborative approach. Decisions sometimes felt reactive rather than strategic, which occasionally impacted margins and turnaround times. Tighter alignment between MRO, sales, and purchasing would unlock stronger performance across the board and will position you to be competitive choice for suppliers.