Strategic Supply Chain Director - Purchasing & Logistics

JC Ford Company; Columbia (TN); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

JC Ford Company in Columbia, Tennessee seeks a Director of Supply Chain to lead Purchasing, Inventory Control, and Shipping & Receiving. This role ensures material availability, supplier performance, inventory accuracy, and cost management while aligning with production schedules and customer commitments.

You will coach and develop managers, drive cross-functional improvement, and manage ERP/MRP processes, supplier negotiations, and end-to-end supply chain initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, Logistics, or related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• 8–10 years of progressive supply chain, purchasing, materials, logistics, or manufacturing experience, including at least 5 years leading teams or functions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead managers or team leads across multiple operational disciplines.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing procurement, inventory controls, shipping/receiving, ERP/MRP, and supplier negotiations.
• Strong analytical, financial, communication, and cross-functional leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Directly manage, coach, and evaluate the Purchasing Manager, Inventory Lead, and Shipping Lead; establish clear responsibilities, goals, and development plans.
• Hold department leaders accountable for daily execution, staffing, cross-training, performance metrics, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Set supply chain priorities, budgets, policies, and escalation processes; resolve cross-functional issues and remove operational barriers.
• Lead workforce and succession planning for the three functions, ensuring appropriate coverage and supervisory continuity.
• Direct purchasing strategy for raw materials, components, equipment, and services supporting engineered manufacturing operations.
• Oversee supplier sourcing, qualification, negotiation, contract terms, cost reduction, and performance reviews.
• Manage supply risks, long-lead items, shortages, and supplier quality or delivery issues in coordination with Engineering and Manufacturing.
• Ensure purchase approvals, ERP transactions, and supplier records meet company controls and requirements.
• Lead inventory accuracy, cycle counts, physical inventories, transaction discipline, and discrepancy resolution.
• Establish inventory policies that balance material availability, working capital, and excess or obsolete stock.
• Improve material identification, storage, replenishment, and flow to production; partner with planning to anticipate shortages.
• Use ERP/MRP reporting and operational data to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities.
• Oversee accurate and timely receipt, inspection coordination, documentation, storage, picking, packaging, and shipment of goods.
• Partner with Production, Project Management, and Sales to meet equipment and parts shipment commitments.
• Manage carrier and freight performance, dock safety, shipping accuracy, and damage prevention.
• Ensure appropriate domestic and international shipping documentation and compliance processes.
• Develop and monitor measurable KPIs across purchasing, inventory, and shipping/receiving.
• Lead process standardization, ERP utilization improvements, cost savings, and corrective actions.
• Support new products, capacity expansion, supplier transitions, and major customer projects.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical thinking

ERP/MRP

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management

Tools

ERP/MRP system

Traverse

Disbatch

Job description

JC Ford Company in Columbia, Tennessee seeks a Director of Supply Chain to lead Purchasing, Inventory Control, and Shipping & Receiving. This role ensures material availability, supplier performance, inventory accuracy, and cost management while aligning with production schedules and customer commitments.

You will coach and develop managers, drive cross-functional improvement, and manage ERP/MRP processes, supplier negotiations, and end-to-end supply chain initiatives.