Supplier Performance Manager III (SPM)

Safran Group; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 121,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran Group in Irvine, CA is seeking a Supplier Performance Manager III (SPM) to drive supplier performance through continuous improvement initiatives, lead cross-functional teams, and align with category strategies.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree or 6 years related experience, 5+ years supplier experience, travel up to 25%, and SAP/Lean-Sigma familiarity; offers permanent, full-time employment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in appropriate discipline, or six years of related experience.
• Operational experience with suppliers in purchasing/supply chain environments.
• SAP knowledge and Lean-Sigma Greenbelt familiarity are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage supplier relationships to drive performance benefits.
• Communicate objective metrics for lead time, on-time delivery, quality, and TCO.
• Identify supplier management plans and coordinate internal/external resources.
• Meet with suppliers to create continuous improvement plans; travel required.
• Monitor overall supplier performance and drive corrective actions.
• Lead cross-functional teams to achieve objectives.

Skills

Cross-functional management

Project management

Lean-Sigma Greenbelt

Change agent

SAP Knowledge

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP

Job description

Supplier Performance Manager III (SPM)

Job details

General information

Entity

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's "World's Best Companies 2025" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense is an international company with more than 19,000 employees who bring together expertise and team spirit to design high-technology solutions for the aerospace, defense and space sectors. By combining human and technological intelligence, the company develops products and services for both civil and military customers, operating on land, at sea, in the air and in space.

Reference number

2026-178366

Job details

Domain

Performance and Support

Job field / Job profile

Supply chain - Supply chain manager

Job title

Supplier Performance Manager III (SPM)

Employment type

Permanent

Professional category

Employees / Staff

Part time / Full time

Full-time

Job description

Job Summary

The Supplier Performance Manager (SPM) supports the category strategies with key strategic suppliers through developing, monitoring and executing continuous performance improvement initiatives. This position identifies and prioritizes opportunities for joint supply chain process/performance improvement, innovation, new technology and capabilities, and design standardization to enhance total value. The SPM also benchmarks and shares industry leading best practices across key suppliers and category stakeholders. Also, rigorously manages the performance standards and metrics to continue to drive value and improvement from suppliers and elevates any concerns to category stakeholders.

Essential Job Functions

• Responsible for developing and managing the supplier relationship (e.g., sourcing, management of relationship, performance monitoring, etc.) Ensuring that SEDA is obtaining the financial and service performance benefits
• Participate in continuous improvement in the supply base by communicating objective performance metrics such as lead time reduction, on-time delivery improvement, quality improvement, and total cost of ownership.
• Identify supplier management plans to integrate supplier/procurement program activities. Coordinate with internal and external resources to enhance supplier performance in the areas of technical, cost, product delivery, business and quality.
• Meet with suppliers to develop continuous improvement plans through either Quarterly Business Reviews and/or supplier visits. (Travel Required) Conduct oversight and management of strategies, performance and development of small-scale suppliers.
• Monitor supplier overall performance.
• Where necessary, recommend, initiate and ensure action plans are carried out to correct failures in performance.
• Understand the basics process of conducting root-cause analysis and developing and deploying corrective and preventative action plans.
• Exhibit business acumen with limited market knowledge to craft supply chain solutions to meet strategic financial plan objectives.
• Effectively lead cross-functional teams through performance management to meet goals.
• Other duties may be assigned.

But what else? (advantages, specificities, etc.)

Required Competencies

Education/Experience

Bachelor's degree in appropriate discipline, or in the absence of a bachelor's degree, six years of related experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Operational knowledge of over 5 years fully in contact with suppliers in a structure such as purchasing, supply chain
• Cross-functional management
• Project management
• SAP Knowledge
• Lean-Sigma Greenbelt Tools

Leadership Skills / Management Skills / Personal Skills

• Change agent
• Communication skills and active listening, ability to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders at operational and executive levels.
• Ability to manage and solve conflicts
• Ability to analyze and synthesize
• Customer oriented
• Integrity
• Quality Control Analysis
• Time Management and meet deadlines with limited supervision
• Critical Thinking
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to effectively influence and gain consensus
• Effectively make decisions in complex situations and demonstrate flexibility on resolving issues

Candidate skills & requirements

Travel Specificity

Occasional travel Irvine, California and other locations up to 25%.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position and occasionally move about the office. Constantly operates and use a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copier/printer. The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information. The ability to observe, identify and assess details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds across office for various needs.

Work Environment

The work environment is in office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Experience in Relevant Business Sector

Experience within aerospace industry a plus, not required.

Annual salary

$121,1003 - $158,550 Annually

Job location

North America, United States, California

City (-ies)

1833 Alton Parkway CA 92606 Irvine

Applicant criteria

Minimum education level achieved

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum experience level required

More than 5 years

ITAR Controlled Position: Select "Yes" if role requires U.S. citizenship/permanent residency

Yes