Sr. Manager, Supply Chain Projects

Location: Atlanta, GA
Department: Supply Chain
Reports To: Director of Sourcing

Position Summary

The Sr. Manager, Supply Chain Projects, is responsible for leading and executing strategic supply chain initiatives across Mueller Water Products. This role drives cross-functional projects from concept through implementation, ensuring successful execution of business objectives, operational improvements, supplier readiness, and product launch requirements.

The position serves as the Supply Chain lead for New Product Introduction (NPI) programs, partnering closely with Engineering, Product Management, Manufacturing, Quality, and Sourcing teams to ensure supplier selection, material readiness, and successful product commercialization. This individual will manage NPI sourcing activities, lead an NPI Buyer, and collaborate with Category Managers to identify, qualify, and onboard suppliers that support new product development and launch objectives.

The ideal candidate combines strong project management, sourcing, supplier management, and cross-functional leadership skills within a manufacturing environment.

Essential Responsibilities

Supply Chain Project Leadership

• Lead cross-functional supply chain projects from concept through implementation, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Develop project plans, milestones, resource requirements, risk assessments, and executive status updates.
• Coordinate activities across Supply Chain, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, Product Management, and Finance teams.
• Drive project governance, issue resolution, and stakeholder alignment throughout project execution.
• Lead supply chain workstreams supporting plant expansions, product launches, supplier transitions, process improvements, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Track project deliverables and ensure achievement of business objectives and operational readiness.

New Product Introduction (NPI) Leadership

• Serve as the Supply Chain lead for New Product Introduction (NPI) programs.
• Partner with Engineering and Product Development teams to support design-to-supply-chain readiness throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Develop sourcing strategies and procurement plans for new products and product enhancements.
• Collaborate with Category Managers to identify, evaluate, select, and onboard suppliers for new products.
• Lead supplier engagement activities including RFQs, capability assessments, capacity reviews, and launch readiness evaluations.
• Ensure supplier qualification, tooling readiness, material availability, and production ramp-up plans support project timelines.
• Drive risk identification and mitigation plans related to supplier capacity, lead times, quality, and supply continuity.
• Manage NPI sourcing timelines and ensure alignment with overall product launch schedules.
• Directly manage NPI Buyer activities and priorities.

Supplier Development & Strategic Sourcing

• Partner with Category Managers and Procurement teams on supplier selection and sourcing decisions.
• Support supplier performance improvement initiatives related to quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness.
• Participate in supplier risk assessments and supply continuity planning.
• Support make-versus-buy evaluations and sourcing optimization initiatives.

Supply Chain Process Improvement

• Identify and implement opportunities to improve sourcing, procurement, supplier management, and project execution processes.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean and problem-solving methodologies.
• Support standardization of supply chain processes across manufacturing sites.
• Develop and implement best practices for NPI and project management execution.

Systems & Business Process Implementation

• Lead supply chain-related system implementations and process enhancement projects.
• Support ERP, supplier management, and procurement system improvements.
• Develop project dashboards, KPI reporting, and executive-level communications.
• Drive adoption of new tools, processes, and technologies that improve supply chain performance.

Performance Measurement

• Establish and monitor project and sourcing performance metrics, including:
  • New product launch readiness
  • Project milestone achievement
  • Supplier qualification timelines
  • Supplier on-time delivery
  • Cost reduction and avoidance
  • Lead-time reduction
  • Supply continuity
  • Project ROI and business impact
• Provide regular project status updates and performance reviews to leadership.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or related field required.
• Master's degree preferred.

Experience

• 5-10 years of progressive experience in supply chain, sourcing, procurement, engineering project management, or operations within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects from concept through implementation.
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI), product launches, or supplier development initiatives.
• Experience working directly with suppliers, sourcing activities, and supplier qualification processes.
• Experience within industrial manufacturing, water infrastructure, engineered products, or related industries preferred.
• Experience with ERP systems and project management tools.

Certifications (Preferred)

• PMP Certification
• APICS CSCP or CPIM
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of sourcing, procurement, supplier development, and supply chain project execution.
• Proven project management and cross-functional leadership capabilities.
• Ability to influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and organizational abilities.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of ERP systems, supplier management tools, and data analytics platforms.

Key Competencies

• Project Leadership
• New Product Introduction (NPI) Management
• Strategic Sourcing
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Change Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Risk Management
• Business Acumen
• Results Orientation

Other Compensation & Benefits:

Mueller offers an excellent salary and benefits package. Current benefit offerings include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k plan with 5% Company match, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability benefits, vacation, 100% paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement program, student debt retirement matching, well-being program, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-provided life insurance, supplemental insurance at group rates, and more.