Director of Supply Chain

Overview

Leads and oversees all aspects of the company’s supply chain operations, including materials planning, procurement, inventory management, warehouse operations, and logistics to ensure the efficient flow of materials from receipt through manufacturing and on-time shipment to customers. Responsible for maintaining accurate inventory control and ensuring the integrity of all material transactions while optimizing working capital and service levels.

Develops and manages strategic supplier relationships across domestic and global supply bases to ensure cost competitiveness, quality, reliability, and supply continuity. Leads supplier performance management, sourcing strategies, and negotiation activities to support company objectives.

Provides leadership and oversight of third-party logistics (3PL) partners to ensure effective distribution, transportation, and fulfillment operations. Establishes processes and systems that support safety, operational excellence, improve material flow, and enable scalable growth.  Collaborates cross-functionally with operations, engineering, finance, and commercial teams to align supply chain strategy with overall business goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead an integrated planning operating system, including make/buy, capacity, scheduling, inventory, materials strategy, and cost-to-serve.
• Own demand planning governance by aligning forecasts, order intake, and historical signals to drive build-to-order and build-to-forecast execution.
• Set and execute the strategic sourcing roadmap to support growth, including dual-sourcing, competitive events, and supply continuity planning.
• Define supplier KPIs and scorecards, review performance with suppliers and report trends, risks, and actions to leadership.
• Lead cross-functional alignment (Quality, Engineering, Machining, Assembly) to protect customer commitments, improve On Time Delivery, and resolve delivery constraints.
• Deliver supply chain financial targets by owning the materials budget, tracking variances, and driving corrective actions tied to KPIs.
• Serve on the operations leadership team to set priorities, allocate resources, and make cross-functional decisions.
• Lead a continuous improvement culture using structured problem-solving to eliminate quality issues with internal teams and suppliers.
• Lead cross-functional cost-out and value engineering efforts with Engineering, Manufacturing, Process Engineering, and Quality.
• Direct warehouse operations (receiving, storage, and internal distribution) to improve safety, accuracy, and throughput.
• Lead negotiation strategy and contracting to optimize total cost, service levels, and risk across key categories.
• Direct inbound and outbound logistics (carriers/3PL) to ensure accurate, damage-free shipments and reliable transportation performance.
• Build and lead a high-performing supply chain organization through hiring, development, goal setting, accountability, and performance management.
• Champion a culture of safety and ensure EHS compliance with local, state, and federal regulations across supply chain operations.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, logistics, business, engineering, or a related field is required, plus at least 10 years of management experience in manufacturing or supply chain settings.

Candidates must demonstrate strong analytical, costing, negotiation, project and change management skills, and lead cross-functional initiatives to improve performance and optimize total cost. Strong problem-solving and organizational skills are essential, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.  Prior experience in managing supplier relationships and strategic sourcing initiatives that drive cost reduction and supply continuity is required. 

The role also requires hands-on experience with Kanban material replenishment (pull systems) in a manufacturing environment, along with experience managing inventory, procurement, logistics, and related supply chain processes. Candidates should have experience with MRO, capital equipment, and other indirect spend categories, as well as exposure to both domestic and international supply bases. 

Experience with Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies is highly desirable. Familiarity with ISO quality management systems and standards is also beneficial. Professional certifications such as APICS (CPIM or CSCP) or CPSM are preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Read, analyze, and interpret reports and legal documents.
• Write articles at publication level that conform to prescribed style and format. 
• Effectively present information to employees, management, customers, regulatory agencies and members of the business community. 
• Requires job related software skills and Microsoft Office proficiency. 
• Maintain and provide current understanding of industry best practices and technology trends.
• Demonstrated process and part cost reduction through innovative best practice approaches.  

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• Regular office environment.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, and touch; and talk and hear.  
• The employee is occasionally required to move around the facility.
• Some business travel, both domestic and international, is required.