Job OverviewThe Director of Supply Chain leads end-to-end material execution for Saronic's Franklin, Louisiana facility - the manufacturing site for the Marauder autonomous surface vessel. This role owns the site's integrated supply chain organization-procurement, supply planning, and materials and warehouse operations-to deliver uninterrupted, on-schedule Marauder production. The Director leads the Franklin supply chain team through the site Supply Chain Manager, drives cost and cash-flow performance through disciplined supplier management, and builds the scalable, transparent operating model required to support the Marauder production ramp in a defense manufacturing environment.
ResponsibilitiesProduction Readiness & Material Execution- Own end-to-end material flow at the Franklin site-planning, procurement, receiving, inventory, kitting, and material movement-to ensure production-critical Marauder materials are available on time and builds are never missed due to material or kitting issues.
- Drive achievement of on-time delivery, inventory accuracy, and production schedule adherence targets for the Marauder line.
- Establish standardized buffer and safety-stock strategies for A/B components and reduce receiving-to-stock and pick/kitting cycle times at Franklin.
- Lead resolution of material shortages, supplier delays, and line-down risks with urgency and clear cross-functional escalation.
Cost Efficiency & Cash Flow- Deliver cost savings at or above plan and build a multi-year savings pipeline through category strategies and disciplined commercial execution.
- Improve working capital by expanding net payment terms, reducing prepayments, and strengthening contract adherence across the supply base.
- Partner with Finance on supply chain budgeting, forecasting, total-cost-of-ownership analysis, and investment cases.
Supplier Management & Quality- Manage local supplier performance and continuity for the Marauder supply base, coordinating with central commodity management and supplier quality on segmentation, sourcing strategy, and development.
- Support Supplier Business Reviews for critical Franklin suppliers and drive improvement in supplier cost, delivery, quality, and contractual performance.
- Reduce supplier-caused non-conformances and ensure timely, effective corrective action (SCAR) closure, in alignment with the Supplier Quality Manual and SQMS.
- Ensure all contractual direction to suppliers flows through Supply Chain Management via the PO, SOW, or approved change mechanism, consistent with the SCM Procedure.
Scalable, Transparent Operations- Build repeatable, standardized operating models and SOPs for the Franklin supply chain that scale with Marauder volume and align with the broader network.
- Establish site-level supply chain visibility, KPIs, and reporting that enable proactive, fact-based decision-making and executive readiness reviews.
- Drive continuous improvement in processes, systems, and data integrity across ERP (NetSuite), MES (Armada), PLM (Arena), and SQMS.
Leadership & Team Development- Lead and develop the Franklin supply chain organization through the site Supply Chain Manager and team supervisors, spanning procurement, planning, and materials/warehouse operations.
- Set clear goals, scorecards, and accountability aligned to the organization's annual supply chain goals and quarterly KPI targets.
- Foster a culture of urgency, ownership, safety, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced production environment.
QualificationsRequired- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field.
- 10+ years of progressive supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment, including procurement, planning, and materials management.
- 5+ years of leadership experience managing teams and developing managers.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver on-time material readiness, cost savings, and inventory performance during a production ramp.
- Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and end-to-end supply chain processes.
- Proven cross-functional leadership and the ability to influence executive decision-making.
Preferred- Master's degree (MBA, MS Supply Chain, or similar) and/or professional certification (APICS/CPIM, CPSM, CPM).
- Experience in defense, aerospace, marine, or other regulated, high-growth manufacturing environments.
- Experience leading or standing up the supply chain operation for a manufacturing site or program.
- Familiarity with S&OP/IBP, advanced planning tools, and ITAR/ISO compliance requirements.
Physical Demands- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- Occasional standing and walking within the office
- Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment
- Visual acuity to read screens, documents, and reports
- Occasional reaching, bending, or stooping to access file drawers, cabinets, or office supplies
- Lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages)
Key Competencies• End-to-end supply chain and systems perspective
• Bias for execution with strong sense of urgency
• Financial acumen and total-cost-of-ownership thinking
• Supplier relationship and risk management
• Team leadership, development, and cross-functional influence
• Data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement
BenefitsMedical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services
Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents
Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care
Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan for employees and 80% for dependents
Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays
Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents
Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses
Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company match
Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company's success
Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage
Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline
Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office
