Director of Supply Chain

SkyWater Search Partners; BLOOMINGTON (MN); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

SkyWater Search Partners is seeking a Director of Supply Chain to elevate purchasing from a reactive state to a disciplined, strategic function. You will lead a team to develop commodity strategies, manage supplier performance, and partner with operations, planning, engineering, and quality to align material priorities with business goals.

The role emphasizes ERP-driven decisions, risk management, and continuous improvement across regulated manufacturing environments.

Qualifications

• Experience in progressive procurement and materials management within manufacturing.
• Experience building commodity strategies and negotiating supplier agreements.
• Experience leading and developing purchasing teams.
• Background in regulated manufacturing (electronics, aerospace, defense, medical devices) preferred.
• Familiarity with supplier performance, sourcing risk and continuity planning.
• Strong ERP, analytical and cross-functional leadership capabilities.
• Knowledge of ITAR requirements preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required; APICS certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop purchasing and commodity strategies across direct materials, components, outside services and equipment.
• Evaluate the supplier base, consolidate spend where appropriate and identify alternative sources.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, service agreements and long-term supply commitments.
• Establish supplier scorecards, business reviews and risk-management processes.
• Improve continuity of supply in an environment with customer-specified materials and suppliers.
• Coach buyers toward greater ownership of commodities and supplier relationships.
• Partner with Operations, Planning, Engineering, Quality and Finance on material priorities and constraints.
• Improve the use of ERP systems, data and analytical tools in purchasing and inventory decisions.
• Support supplier-quality, compliance and continuous-improvement initiatives.

Skills

ERP systems

Analytical skills

Cross-functional leadership

Supplier relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree

APICS certification

Tools

ERP software

Job description

We are seeking aDirector of Supply Chain for a local manufacturer to help move purchasing from a largely tactical, reactive environment toward a more disciplined approach to commodity management, supplier strategy, contracts, continuity of supply and supplier performance. The role will also lead and develop an established team.

Responsibilities

• Develop purchasing and commodity strategies across direct materials, components, outside services and equipment.

• Evaluate the supplier base, consolidate spend where appropriate and identify alternative sources.

• Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, service agreements and long-term supply commitments.

• Establish supplier scorecards, business reviews and risk-management processes.

• Improve continuity of supply in an environment with customer-specified materials and suppliers.

• Coach buyers toward greater ownership of commodities and supplier relationships.

• Partner with Operations, Planning, Engineering, Quality and Finance on material priorities and constraints.

• Improve the use of ERP systems, data and analytical tools in purchasing and inventory decisions.

• Support supplier-quality, compliance and continuous-improvement initiatives.

Candidate Profile

• Progressive procurement, sourcing or materials-management experience within manufacturing.

• Demonstrated experience building commodity strategies and negotiating supplier agreements.

• Experience leading and developing purchasing teams.

• Background in electronics, aerospace, defense, medical devices or another regulated manufacturing environment is preferred.

• Familiarity with supplier performance, sourcing risk and continuity planning.

• Strong ERP, analytical and cross-functional leadership capabilities.

• Knowledge of ITAR requirements is strongly preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree required; APICS certification preferred.

This is a hands-on opportunity for someone who knows what a strong purchasing organization looks like and wants the ability to build it.