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.