Women In
Technical Aviation
at STS
Q&A with Avril Clancy
Avril Clancy
Materials Project Lead at STS
Role and Background
Can you tell us about your role at STS and your journey in aviation so far?
My background is in Music Technology and Production, and I graduated from Tralee in 2014. When I was unable to find work in that field, I moved into warehousing and logistics, where I spent seven years with a large company.
When I saw an opportunity at STS, it appealed to me as a growing and ambitious organisation, and I was keen to take on a new challenge. I joined STS in August 2021 in a warehouse role at a time when the facility was undergoing a full renovation. This provided a unique opportunity to be involved in setting up operations from the ground up, including racking, pallet systems, signage, processes, and the implementation of warehouse management systems.
As Warehouse Team Lead, I was responsible for organising goods inwards and outwards, establishing cycle count processes that are still in place today, and managing teams through scanning and inventory projects.
In October 2022, I was encouraged by our Chief Materials Officer, Michael O’Regan, to further develop my skills and transition into the Materials Procurement team. I began as a Materials Coordinator and now work as a Materials Project Lead.
It has been a highly rewarding experience, with continuous learning in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. Looking back over the past five years, it is remarkable to reflect on the scale of growth within the team. Starting from an initial team of three, the Materials function has expanded significantly to a department of 10. I have supported the onboarding and training of new team members, contributed to on-site project coordination, and assisted with the implementation of our ERP system and operational processes, as well as the initial warehouse setup.
To date, I have worked with close to 20 different lessors, airlines, and MROs across more than 70 projects. These have ranged from ad hoc requests and on-site support to complex C-checks and critical AOG requirements, providing a broad and valuable range of experience.
Career Inspiration
What inspired you to pursue a career in technical aviation?
My path into aviation developed quite naturally. Growing up in Shannon, aviation plays a significant role in the local community, and many people have a connection to the industry. A friend encouraged me to apply for the role at STS, and from there, my interest developed further.
From the beginning, the company culture has been inclusive and progressive, which has made it easy to engage and learn. Within the Materials department, this approach is led from the top. Even during my time in the warehouse, I was included in daily meetings and kept informed of wider strategic plans. This exposure encouraged me to contribute ideas and develop my understanding of the business.
Over time, I became part of a close and collaborative team, learning from colleagues and gradually expanding my role. I am very grateful for the trust placed in me and the encouragement to progress into a new area.
Understanding Your Day to Day Duties
For those less familiar with Materials Procurement in aviation, what does your day to day typically involve?
We work closely with lessors, airlines, and MROs, providing global support across a wide range of projects. As a Project Lead, I am typically responsible for overseeing one major project at a time.
On a daily basis, this involves managing project trackers, sourcing aircraft parts, coordinating with MROs, liaising with lessor technical leads, and ensuring stakeholders are kept up to date. I also manage exchanges and core returns as part of the overall process.
It is a busy and detail-driven role, with many variables to manage. However, the systems and tools developed within the team, particularly our trackers, provide strong visibility and help ensure efficiency.
We work closely with on-site representatives who advise on required parts for aircraft. Once requirements are confirmed and approved, we source and arrange shipment accordingly. In addition, we are increasingly supporting airlines directly with both structured projects and ad hoc requests, which further broadens the scope of our work.
Proud Moments
Is there a particular achievement you are most proud of?
One project in particular stands out. It ran from August 2023 through to the beginning of this year and involved five aircraft moving across seven MROs, more than 280 suppliers, and over 30,000 parts processed. The scale and complexity made it a significant undertaking and a valuable learning experience.
I acted as the main point of contact for the lessor throughout the project, supported by colleagues across the materials team, who played key roles across different MSN locations. At one stage, aircraft were positioned in Italy, Malta, Thailand, and Shanghai simultaneously, requiring coordination across multiple time zones, languages, and supplier networks.
I also had the opportunity to travel to Naples and Istanbul to support time-critical requirements, including hand-carrying parts to meet deadlines. These were experiences I had not anticipated when starting in this role.
Through our advanced exchange model, we delivered over 2.3 million dollars in savings for the customer, with further savings expected as open exchanges are closed. Seeing the project successfully delivered from start to finish, as part of a strong and collaborative team, was a particularly rewarding experience.
Key Skills
What skills are most important in your role?
Teamwork is essential. Within the Materials team at STS, there is a strong culture of collaboration, with individuals sharing ideas and supporting one another. Each team member brings different strengths and relationships with customers and suppliers, and we rely on one another to deliver effectively.
Communication is equally important. The aviation industry is fast-moving, and delays or challenges can arise at any stage. It is important to stay ahead of potential issues and communicate clearly with customers, always presenting solutions and maintaining confidence.
Responsiveness is also critical. When ad hoc requests arise, prompt engagement can make a significant difference. Being proactive and reliable is key to maintaining strong relationships and delivering results.
Across the company, there is a strong focus on efficiency and continuous improvement. All employees participate in the Lean Belt training programme. I have obtained my Yellow Belt and am currently working towards my Green Belt. It is a valuable initiative that encourages ongoing development and process improvement.
Industry Outlook
How do you see the aviation industry evolving in your field?
One of the biggest challenges currently facing the industry is delays from Airbus and Boeing in relation to new parts and OEM supply. As a result, Used Serviceable Material is becoming an increasingly valuable resource in a supply-constrained environment.
Building strong relationships with suppliers who have access to USM is essential, as is the ability to manage repairs and advanced exchanges on behalf of lessors and MROs. These capabilities have become key strengths within our team, and I do not anticipate this changing in the near term.
Looking ahead, sustainability targets will introduce new challenges within the supply chain. In addition, geopolitical factors continue to affect global shipping routes, requiring constant evaluation of how parts are transported efficiently while minimising delays and costs. It is an evolving landscape that requires adaptability and forward planning.
Women in Technical Aviation
What has your experience been like as a woman in this sector?
Having spent several years in logistics prior to joining STS, I am accustomed to working in traditionally male-dominated environments. At STS, I have not experienced any difference in how I am treated. I work within the Materials team alongside my colleagues, and we all contribute equally.
The team relies on my logistical experience, and I in turn rely on the expertise of others. It is a genuinely collaborative environment.
What I have noticed more broadly is the positive shift taking place across the industry. When I first started, it was common to see very few women on project calls. Now, there is noticeably greater representation, which is encouraging to see and reflects meaningful progress.
Advice for Future Talent
What advice would you give to young women considering a career in aviation?
If you believe you have the capability, I would strongly encourage you to pursue it. While male-dominated industries can appear intimidating from the outside, in practice they are becoming increasingly inclusive.
Having confidence in your abilities is important. Do not overthink the decision. There are many opportunities within aviation, and organisations are actively welcoming diverse talent into the industry.
Outside of Work
What keeps you motivated outside of the workplace?
My main motivations outside of work are sport and family. I have been involved in football since I was three years old, and I continue to play and coach. I also regularly travel to London with friends to attend Arsenal Women’s matches.
Recently, I had the opportunity to work remotely from London for five weeks with the support of STS. It was a very positive experience, allowing me to balance work with travel and enjoy the pace and energy of the city while attending matches. I have also met many great people through the Arsenal community.
Outside of sport, I spend a lot of time with my family, who are a constant source of support and inspiration.
Anything Your Colleagues Might Not Know?
I grew up playing traditional music and play several instruments. I also trained in classical piano, although I do not play as often as I used to. Music and sport remain important parts of my daily life.