Supply Chain Director - Aerospace

Work Arrangement

This is an onsite role based in Tampa, FL, requiring approximately 25% travel.

Role Overview

The Supply Chain Director will oversee the entire material strategy and execution process from demand forecasting and materials planning through strategic sourcing, supplier management, and inventory optimization within a complex engineer-to-order and production setting. This role ensures the availability of long-lead engineered components, configured items, and standard materials on schedule, at target costs and meeting specifications, to support project milestones and client commitments while balancing working capital objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain short-term, mid-term, and long-range material and capacity plans based on project schedules, forecasts, and backlog for ETO and standard products.
• Design planning parameters, including lead times, safety stock levels, and order policies, primarily focused on long-lead and engineered items.
• Collaborate closely with the Master Scheduler in Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP/SIOP) to align demand, supply, inventory, and financial plans while managing risk and scenario planning for major projects.
• Manage procurement, negotiation, and contracting for direct materials, engineered parts, and critical services to fulfill project and product needs.
• Establish and sustain a competitive supplier base capable of meeting customized engineering demands, fluctuating volumes, and strict delivery schedules.
• Lead supplier performance evaluations regarding quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness, facilitating business reviews and corrective measures as necessary.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Program Management, and Operations teams to ensure BOM structures, engineering change orders, and configuration rules support precise planning and sourcing.
• Implement effective processes to manage engineering changes, synchronizing drawing releases, BOM revisions, and design modifications with material plans and supplier activities.
• Develop tailored material strategies for major projects, addressing required dates, long-lead components, make-versus-buy decisions, and alternative sourcing options to safeguard critical schedule paths.
• Set and manage strategic inventory levels, balancing service quality, schedule risks, and net working capital requirements.
• Monitor inventory health metrics such as turns, excess and obsolete stock, and aging; lead root cause analysis and corrective actions based on planning and procurement data.
• Identify supply chain and logistics risks including single-source dependencies, geopolitical factors, capacity limitations, and long-lead engineered components, designing mitigation strategies accordingly.
• Act as business process owner for materials planning and procurement workflows within ERP/MRP systems and related planning tools.
• Standardize and document planning, purchasing, supplier management processes (e.g., PFEP) to enable scalability and consistency across ETO and production programs.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives leveraging Lean, Six Sigma, and digital solutions to enhance forecast accuracy, planning adherence, supplier performance, and process efficiency.
• Maintain professional conduct internally and externally that aligns with company values and policies.
• Embody and promote company culture and align daily activities with departmental and corporate objectives.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Extensive experience in production and engineer-to-order or project-based manufacturing environments such as aerospace, capital equipment, or industrial systems.
• Advanced proficiency with ERP/MRP and planning systems, including experience in implementing or enhancing planning and procurement workflows and tools.
• Proven track record of supplier management, complex contract negotiation, and delivering measurable improvements in cost, delivery, and inventory metrics.
• Strong leadership capabilities with excellent communication, cross-functional collaboration, and influence skills within matrixed organizations.
• Ability to develop and lead departmental strategy and personnel aligned with organizational goals.
• Skilled in setting performance standards, engaging teams, and managing results through delegation, feedback, and goal setting.
• Effective executive-level communication skills representing supply chain interests in strategic discussions.
• Strong presence, proactive approach, and disciplined process management in supply chain operations.
• Experience creating and monitoring supply chain KPIs, including material availability, inventory turns, purchase price variances, supplier on-time delivery and quality metrics, and forecast accuracy.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related discipline required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Over 20 years of aerospace manufacturing operations experience, with defense contract manufacturing knowledge advantageous.
• At least 15 years in progressively senior leadership positions.
• Understanding of FAR/DFAR requirements including flow down and accountability.
• Global supply chain management experience and influence over critical suppliers preferred.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies such as Toyota Production System, Six Sigma, and Lean is a plus.
• Experience with supply chain management software including Infor LN, SAP, Oracle, or similar ERP platforms.

Physical and Security Requirements

• Work involves frequent sitting and use of computers and office equipment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Department of Defense clearance; U.S. citizenship is mandatory.