Director Supply Chain & Operations — High-Frequency Electronic Components
Location: Northern California (Onsite/Hybrid)
Compensation: $200,000 – $300,000 annually, plus benefits
About Us
Fruition Group US is a specialist recruitment partner working across technology, engineering, and cleantech markets in the US, UK, Ireland, and Europe. We're currently retained by a well-established, privately held manufacturer of high-performance RF and microwave components, serving defence, aerospace, and test & measurement markets, to fill a senior supply chain leadership position. The client's identity is kept confidential at this stage of the process; full details are shared with shortlisted candidates.
Job Brief Overview
This role owns all supply chain and planning activity for the business, ensuring a reliable, high-quality, cost-optimized flow of materials and finished product across a portfolio of specialized High-Frequency Electronic Components. It's a hands‑on leadership position, you'll set strategic direction and drive continuous improvement while staying close enough to the day‑to‑day to step into tactical issues and escalations personally. Expect close, regular alignment with engineering, operations, sales, marketing, finance, and HR.
Important eligibility note:
This role involves access to export‑controlled technical data. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident (green card holder), or otherwise authorized to access controlled technical information under applicable U.S. export control regulations. Travel of up to 20% should be expected.
About the Role
Supply chain leadership
- Own sourcing and procurement, inventory, shipping and logistics, and supply planning end to end, ensuring the flow of materials and product supports the company's growth.
- Set the long‑term vision and near‑term goals for the function, tracking performance and adjusting course as needed.
- Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risk at the enterprise level: single‑source exposure, geopolitical and tariff exposure and capacity constraints. building resilience through dual‑sourcing, strategic inventory positioning and contingency planning.
- Oversee capacity planning, inventory positioning, make/buy decisions and vertical‑integration strategy so product lines are supported through every stage of their lifecycle, whether built in‑house or through external partners.
Performance & continuous improvement
- Own KPIs and operational metrics for the function, reporting regularly to senior operations leadership.
- Drive continuous improvement across supply chain systems and processes, ERP, advanced planning, procure‑to‑pay, and manufacturing execution systems and champion the use of data analytics and AI‑enabled tools to strengthen forecasting, planning, and risk visibility.
- Manage relationships with senior leaders, functional peers, suppliers, and customers, with a particular focus on building lasting supplier partnerships and driving pricing and quality improvements through regular business reviews.
- Own the supply chain organization's budget, including staffing, training, equipment, and materials.
Team leadership
- Lead talent acquisition and organizational design as the team scales, partnering with HR on staffing needs and hiring decisions.
- Set clear goals, delegate effectively, and hold the team accountable for quality, productivity, and deadlines, with regular coaching and formal performance reviews.
Key Requirements
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Operations Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, or equivalent experience.
- 10+ years in an High‑Frequency Electronic Component manufacturing supply chain role spanning purchasing, sourcing, inventory management, logistics, and supply planning.
- 5+ years leading supply chain or planning teams in a fast‑moving, low‑volume/high‑mix manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated ability to flex between strategic direction‑setting and hands‑on tactical execution, leading through other managers, with strong people‑ and budget‑management skills and excellent communication.
Preferred
- Expertise with modern ERP, advanced planning, procure‑to‑pay, and MES systems; experience with mid‑market ERP platforms is a plus.
- Strong background in dual/multi‑sourcing, supplier qualification, make/buy analysis, and electronic component obsolescence/end‑of‑life management for long‑lifecycle product lines.
- Experience with S&OP practices in electronics or semiconductor industries; a supply chain accreditation (e.g. CPIM/CSCP or similar) is a plus.
- Familiarity with ISO 9001 quality systems (AS9100 a plus), and working knowledge of export control regulations, specialty‑metals/domestic sourcing requirements, and counterfeit‑parts avoidance practices relevant to regulated manufacturing.
Benefits & Working Conditions
- Full benefits package including medical/dental/vision insurance, generous paid time off, life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer matching, and education/dependent-scholarship style assistance programs.