Supply Chain Director

LHH; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense services company is seeking a Senior Director of Supply Chain to lead and enhance its supply chain operations. The role involves developing a high-performance supply chain strategy and providing operational oversight aligning with government program requirements. The preferred candidate will have over 10 years of progressive supply chain leadership experience in manufacturing, a strong background in strategic sourcing, and the ability to manage complex supplier relationships effectively.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive supply chain leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Prior experience supporting defense, aerospace, or maritime programs strongly preferred.
• Must qualify as a U.S. Person due to export control regulations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a scalable supply chain strategy aligned with corporate objectives.
• Oversee full lifecycle supply chain operations including demand planning, procurement.
• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing supply chain organization.

Skills

Proactive adaptability

Strategic leadership

Supplier negotiations

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business

Tools

NetSuite

SAP

Coupa

Job description

Our client, an innovative and rapidly growing organization supporting defense, aerospace, and maritime programs, is seeking a Senior Director of Supply Chain to lead and strengthen its end-to-end supply chain operations.

This is a critical leadership role responsible for developing and executing a high-performance, compliant, and resilient supply chain strategy capable of supporting mission-critical programs. The successful candidate will provide both strategic leadership and hands‑on operational oversight, ensuring materials, suppliers, and internal processes align with demanding government program requirements.

The ideal candidate is a proactive, highly adaptable leader who thrives in fast‑moving environments, learns new technologies quickly, and is comfortable stepping directly into operational challenges when necessary. This individual must be decisive, resourceful, and capable of maintaining momentum when complex supply chain issues arise.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Compliance

• Develop and implement a scalable supply chain strategy aligned with corporate objectives and government program requirements.
• Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, ITAR, cybersecurity frameworks (including CMMC), and customer contractual flow‑down requirements.
• Lead supply chain risk management initiatives including supplier qualification, export control compliance, obsolescence management, and mitigation of single‑source or geopolitical risks.

End‑to‑End Supply Chain Execution

• Oversee full lifecycle supply chain operations including demand planning, procurement, subcontract management, materials management, inventory control, production scheduling, warehousing, and logistics.
• Directly support critical supply chain activities when needed, including supplier negotiations, material shortage resolution, and operational problem solving.
• Establish and maintain a reliable supplier network capable of supporting rapid development cycles, engineering changes, and production ramp‑ups.

Supplier Development & Strategic Sourcing

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers across a diverse range of commodities and emerging technologies.
• Lead supplier negotiations, contract execution, and ongoing supplier performance management.
• Implement supplier scorecards, KPIs, and performance dashboards to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
• Develop category strategies and leverage spend consolidation to optimize total cost of ownership (TCO).

Operational Agility & Continuous Improvement

• Drive proactive issue resolution to keep programs on schedule and maintain supply continuity.
• Implement scalable and efficient supply chain processes that improve operational performance while maintaining agility.
• Partner closely with engineering and program leadership to support new product introductions, design changes, and development programs.
• Collaborate with quality teams on supplier audits, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with engineering, operations, quality, finance, and program management teams to ensure seamless material flow and production readiness.
• Communicate effectively across leadership teams when priorities shift or critical issues require rapid resolution.
• Support proposal development, cost estimation, and supply chain strategy for new program pursuits.

Leadership & Team Development

• Build, mentor, and develop a high‑performing supply chain organization capable of supporting complex defense programs.
• Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, urgency, and continuous improvement.
• Lead by example with a hands‑on leadership style and willingness to engage directly in operational challenges.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive supply chain leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Prior experience supporting defense, aerospace, or maritime programs strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of FAR/DFARS, ITAR, and government contracting environments.
• Proven experience managing procurement, supplier development, subcontracts, materials management, and logistics operations.
• Strong background in strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, category management, and cost modeling.
• Experience with ERP platforms such as NetSuite, Infor, SAP, or similar systems, along with S2C/SRM tools (e.g., Ariba, Coupa, SAP SRM).
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPSD, CPIM, CSCP, CLTD, or CIPS are preferred.
• Project management certification (PMI/PMP) is considered a plus.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Must qualify as a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen or permanent resident) due to export control regulations.