Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Construction Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related discipline
6+ years in supplier management, procurement, or contract administration, with 3+ years in construction or facilities-related contracts
Experience managing general contractors and negotiating construction contracts
Proven track record in change order management, including evaluation and negotiation
Strong relationship management skills with a focus on supplier performance improvement
Ability to guide cross-functional teams and align project goals
Excellent analytical skills for performance data analysis and actionable insights
Responsibilities
Serve as the primary business relationship owner for assigned construction suppliers
Develop and execute supplier engagement strategies aligned with facility needs
Conduct regular business reviews to assess contractor performance and drive improvements
Manage supplier schedules and communicate status to stakeholders
Design and implement flexible contracting strategies while maintaining cost control
Lead contract negotiations to ensure favorable terms and risk allocation
Establish a proactive change order governance process to balance control with project flow
Benefits
Opportunity to work in a regulated defense environment
Engagement with diverse construction projects
Potential for professional development and training
Collaborative work culture across multiple functions
Travel opportunities for site visits and assessments
Full Job Description
Supplier Program Manager (SPM) - Construction & Facilities
Location: TX, NM or LA/MS
Job Summary
The Supplier Program Manager will serve as the strategic owner of our indirect construction contractor relationships, managing supplier performance, contract execution, and change order processes across our facilities portfolio. This role requires a proactive, relationship-focused approach to supplier management, with the ability to implement controls and governance frameworks while maintaining project momentum. The ideal candidate brings construction contract expertise, construction project management experience, supplier development experience, and the ability to drive continuous improvement in a regulated defense environment. It would be a plus to have experience in industrial construction such as government facilities, oil and gas or manufacturing.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Supplier Relationship Management
Serve as the primary business relationship owner for assigned construction and general contractor suppliers
Develop and execute supplier engagement strategies that align contractor capabilities with X-Bow's facility and infrastructure needs
Conduct regular business reviews with key contractors to assess performance, identify risks, and drive continuous improvement
Build strategic partnerships that enable proactive capacity planning and rapid response to emerging requirements
Manage supplier schedules and milestones, implementing tracking and communicating status to internal stakeholders
Contract Strategy & Execution
Design and implement dynamic contracting strategies (MSAs, IDIQ, task orders) that provide flexibility while maintaining cost and schedule control
Lead contract negotiations for construction services, ensuring favorable terms, competitive pricing, and appropriate risk allocation
Develop standardized contract templates and frameworks that streamline procurement while ensuring compliance with internal X-Bow policies.
Partner with Legal and Contracts teams to structure agreements that support both tactical needs and long-term strategic objectives
Change Order Management & Controls
Establish and manage a proactive change order governance process that balances control with project flow
Implement early warning systems to identify potential scope changes before they impact schedule or budget
Negotiate change orders with contractors, ensuring fair pricing, proper justification, and alignment with project objectives
Develop metrics and dashboards to track change order trends, root causes, and cost impacts
Create standardized change order evaluation criteria and approval workflows
Guide and manage document storage process for change orders that is clear and easily accessible
Supplier Performance & Development
Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for construction contractors including quality, schedule adherence, safety, and cost performance
Conduct supplier scorecarding and performance assessments, implementing corrective action plans when needed
Identify supplier capability gaps and drive improvement initiatives through training, process enhancement, or supplier development programs
Manage supplier audits and assessments to ensure compliance with quality, safety, and security requirements
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Facilities, Engineering, Program Management, and Operations teams to understand requirements and translate them into supplier strategies
Collaborate with Quality and EHS teams to ensure contractors meet safety standards and quality requirements for defense facility work
Work with Finance and Accounting to resolve invoice discrepancies, track contractor spend, and support budget planning
Provide regular status updates, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies to leadership
Risk Management & Compliance
Proactively identify and mitigate supplier-related risks including capacity constraints, financial instability, quality issues, and compliance gaps
Ensure contractor compliance with security requirements, export control regulations, and facility access protocols
Maintain awareness of construction market conditions, labor availability, and material cost trends that may impact supplier performance
Develop contingency plans and alternate sourcing strategies for critical construction capabilities
Process Improvement & Innovation
Identify opportunities to streamline contractor management processes, reduce cycle times, and improve cost effectiveness
Implement best practices in construction procurement including pre-qualification programs, preferred supplier frameworks, and standardized scopes of work
Leverage data analytics to identify trends, benchmark performance, and drive evidence-based decision making
Champion digital tools and technologies that enhance supplier collaboration and visibility
Qualifications:
Required
Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Construction Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related discipline
Experience: 6+ years of progressive experience in supplier management, procurement, or contract administration, with at least 3 years focused on construction or facilities-related contracts
Construction Expertise: Demonstrated experience managing general contractors, understanding construction scopes of work, and negotiating construction contracts
Change Order Management: Proven track record managing change order processes, including evaluation, negotiation, and cost control
Relationship Management: Strong ability to build and maintain strategic supplier relationships, conduct business reviews, and drive supplier performance improvement
Project Management: Capability in guiding cross functional teams by aligning goals and actions across the project. Confidence in taking the lead and providing expertise and managing inputs on internal teams.
Contract Acumen: Experience negotiating and managing complex service contracts; familiarity with various contract structures (fixed price, T&M, cost-plus, IDIQ)
Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze supplier performance data, identify trends, and develop actionable insights
Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
Problem-Solving: Proactive mindset with strong critical thinking and ability to resolve complex supplier issues independently
U.S. Citizenship: Must be and have the ability to prove US Citizenship
Preferred
Defense/Aerospace Experience: Experience working in regulated defense or aerospace environments
Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, and International Trade Compliance requirements
Quality Systems: Experience working within ISO9001, AS9100, or similar Quality Management Systems
Security Clearance: Active or ability to obtain security clearance
Certifications: CPSM, CPSD, CPM, PMP or similar supply chain/procurement certifications
Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, project management tools, ERP systems, and data visualization platforms
Industry Knowledge: Understanding of construction industry practices, labor markets, and material supply chains
Personal Attributes
Strategic Thinker: Ability to see beyond transactions to build long-term supplier partnerships
Adaptable: Thrives in fast-paced, evolving environments with changing priorities
Ownership Mentality: Takes initiative and accountability for supplier outcomes
Collaborative: Works effectively across functions to achieve shared objectives
Detail-Oriented: Maintains focus on contract details and compliance while managing strategic relationships
Results-Driven: Focuses on measurable outcomes and continuous improvement
Travel: Up to 50% (supplier site visits, business reviews, project site assessments)
