Job DescriptionThis strategic supply chain leadership role is responsible for leading the Supplier Assessment Program Manager team. The Director serves as the primary authority for conducting comprehensive supplier evaluations and providing the program team with critical assessments and recommended strategic paths forward. The role is centered on the direct engagement and execution of supplier assessments, ensuring that evaluations are performed rigorously, progress is tracked meticulously, and actionable intelligence is delivered to the program. The successful candidate will be expected to develop progressive supply chain approaches, to support the growth of the business, and to meet or exceed business area and functional goals and objectives.
Key responsibilities of the role include:
- Leading the SPM assessment team in conducting rigorous supplier evaluations to determine capability, risk, and alignment with program requirements.
- Providing formal assessments and data-driven "recommended paths forward" to the program team to guide sourcing and partnership decisions.
- Architecting the Supplier Assessment Program, including the development of standardized assessment agendas, templates, and a formal system for recording improvement activities.
- Developing and maintaining the Supplier Risk/Opportunity Matrix to anticipate potential bottlenecks and identify strategic advantages.
- Serving as the primary escalation point of contact for suppliers; leading engagement meetings with subcontractors and internal stakeholders to ensure transparency and alignment.
- Elevating the capabilities of the supply chain team and its interactions with other functions to deliver on operational and financial goals.
- Collaborating with supplier executive leadership to manage strategic relationships.
- Monitoring market trends, supplier performance, and industry developments to anticipate potential risks and opportunities to the business.
- Communicates often to Program Office risks/opportunities that the team discovers at the Supply Base
- Providing leadership, guidance, and mentorship to the team, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability.
Successful candidates will demonstrate the following capabilities:
- Strong Manufacturing/Operations background to fully understand how Factories work inclusive of Supply Chain, Planning, Inventory Management, Workforce Capacity, and what the overall Capacity at a Supplier
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and make data-driven decisions.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
- Ability to motivate and inspire teams, manage conflict, and resolve issues effectively.
- Strong business acumen and understanding of how supply chain performance is an enabler to business growth.
Track record of driving transformational change and delivering measurable results in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
Required Skills and Education- Related Bachelor's Degree and 10-12+ years' work experience, or equivalent experience
- 8 plus years in a highly regulated manufacturing industry
- Broad discipline experience in a multi-plant supply chain environment
- Experience leading geographically diverse teams
- Experience with supply chain management software and systems
- Strong understanding of key elements of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite of products
- Strong presentation skills, capable of briefing at all levels of the organization
Preferred Skills and Education- 12 plus years experience in an Aerospace and Defense manufacturing environment
- Certification in Supply Chain Management (APICS, CSCP) or Program Management (PMP)
- Proficiency in supply chain management software and systems
- Expert level understanding of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)
- Existing Secret or Top Secret clearance
