Head of Supply Chain

Axiom Space; Texas; On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Axiom Space is seeking a Head of Supply Chain to lead procurement, supplier development, and material planning across aerospace programs. You will drive end-to-end supply chain strategy, manage a multi-disciplinary team, and own strategic supplier relationships to ensure on-time, on-cost deliveries.

You will oversee supplier qualification, long-term agreements, and compliance with ITAR, DFAR, and FAR, partnering with quality and manufacturing to optimize cost and schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree in a related field; 12+ years of aerospace/defense supply chain experience
• Demonstrated leadership of supply chain teams
• Experience owning procurement spend of at least $100M+/yr
• Deep knowledge of AS9100 supplier flow-downs, DFAR, and FAR compliance
• Proven supplier negotiation and strategic sourcing expertise
• Executive-level communication and cross-functional influence skills

Responsibilities

• Define and execute enterprise supply chain strategy aligned to program schedules, affordability targets, and risk posture
• Lead, develop, and performance-manage a team of buyers, planners, and supplier development engineers
• Own the supplier qualification and AVL strategy
• Drive strategic negotiations and long-term agreements with critical and sole-source suppliers
• Establish supply chain risk management processes for long-lead, sole-source, and ITAR-controlled items
• Represent supply chain in program reviews, EAC/ETC processes, and executive S&OP
• Partner with quality to enforce supplier flow-down requirements and manage SCARs
• Lead affordability and should-cost initiatives across the supply base
• Ensure compliance with ITAR, EAR, and DFAR procurement requirements
• Define long-term sourcing, supplier segmentation, and cost-optimization strategies
• Collaborate with manufacturing, logistics, and finance to ensure supply continuity and accurate forecasting
• Support business development with supply chain input on proposals and should-cost models
• Onsite requirement: responsibilities require to be onsite; hybrid or remote is not an option

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Leadership of supply chain teams

Supplier negotiations

Procurement spend ownership

ITAR/DFAR/FAR compliance

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

B.S. in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field

M.S. or MBA preferred

CPIM, CSCP, or CPM certification

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Head of Supply Chain is a senior leader accountable for the full procurement and supplier ecosystem - from strategic sourcing and supplier qualification through material planning, logistics, and delivery performance. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, this role leads a multi-functional team of buyers, material planners, and supplier development engineers. The Head of Supply Chain is a key executive partner on make/buy decisions, affordability initiatives, and program risk reviews, and is the primary interface with the supply base for strategic relationships. Leads end-to-end supply chain strategy, procurement, and supplier management to enable on-time, on-cost delivery across all aerospace programs.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define and execute enterprise supply chain strategy aligned to program schedules, affordability targets, and risk posture
• Lead, develop, and performance-manage a team of buyers, planners, and supplier development engineers
• Own the supplier qualification and approved vendor list (AVL) strategy
• Drive strategic negotiations and long-term agreements with critical and sole-source suppliers
• Establish supply chain risk management processes for long-lead, sole-source, and ITAR-controlled items
• Represent supply chain in program reviews, EAC/ETC processes, and executive S&OP
• Partner with quality to enforce supplier flow-down requirements and manage SCARs
• Lead affordability and should-cost initiatives across the supply base
• Ensure full compliance with ITAR, EAR, and DFAR procurement requirements
• Define long‑term sourcing, supplier segmentation, and cost‑optimization strategies aligned with business goals.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, logistics, and finance to ensure continuity of supply and accurate forecasting.
• Support business development with supply chain input on proposals and should-cost models
• Responsibilities requires to be onsite, hybrid or remote is not an option.

LEADERSHIP & STRATEGY

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Chief Operating Officer and leadership on supply chain, compliance, and risk matters
• Help define and execute the company's overall supply chain strategy in alignment with business goals
• Builds resilient, diversified supply chains proactively, not reactively
• Translates program requirements into supplier accountability structures
• Navigates competing priorities across cost, schedule, and technical risk
• Develops talent and succession depth within the organization
• Operates with integrity in supplier relationships and procurement ethics
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Note: Level and compensation will be commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• B.S. in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field; M.S. or MBA preferred
• 12+ years of supply chain experience in aerospace, defense, or adjacent regulated industry
• Demonstrated leadership of supply chain teams
• Experience owning procurement spend of at least $100M+/yr
• Deep knowledge of AS9100 supplier flow-downs, DFAR, and FAR compliance
• Proven supplier negotiation and strategic sourcing expertise
• CPIM, CSCP, or CPM certification (APICS/ISM) strongly preferred
• Experience managing ITAR-controlled commodity categories and export licensing
• Executive-level communication and cross-functional influence skills

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Strong business judgment and ability to balance supply chain risk with commercial objectives
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to operate in a fast‑paced, evolving environment
• Collaborative leadership style with excellent influencing skills
• Strong project management disci