The Director of Supply Chain is responsible for developing and executing the organization's end-to-end supply chain strategy, including demand and supply planning, procurement, materials management, inventory, supplier performance, and distribution. This leader will establish scalable processes and systems that support business growth while maintaining product availability, cost efficiency, quality, and regulatory compliance.
The Director will leverage data, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement methodologies to optimize supply chain performance, strengthen supplier relationships, improve inventory health, and mitigate operational risk. This role will also play a key leadership role in supporting new product introductions, business planning, and the ongoing evolution of the company's supply chain organization.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a comprehensive supply chain strategy aligned with the organization's commercial and operational objectives.
- Provide leadership across demand planning, supply planning, procurement, materials management, inventory control, warehousing, and logistics.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to service levels, inventory, supplier performance, forecast accuracy, costs, and overall supply chain effectiveness.
- Drive initiatives to improve inventory turns, reduce excess and obsolete inventory, and ensure appropriate levels of safety stock and material availability.
- Develop and maintain strong strategic relationships with critical suppliers and contract manufacturing partners.
- Lead supplier selection, qualification, performance management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Oversee commercial negotiations and contracting activities for key suppliers and strategic partners.
- Partner closely with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Finance, Commercial, and R&D to align supply chain activities with organizational priorities.
- Establish processes to improve demand forecasting, capacity planning, material requirements planning, and production scheduling.
- Support new product development and commercialization activities by ensuring supply chain readiness, sourcing strategies, and material availability.
- Identify potential supply disruptions and establish appropriate contingency and risk-mitigation plans.
- Ensure procurement and materials management processes remain compliant with applicable FDA, cGMP, quality, and company requirements.
- Lead supply chain initiatives related to ERP/MRP systems, including system enhancements, data integrity, process optimization, and user adoption.
- Utilize data and analytics to identify trends, improve decision-making, and proactively address supply chain constraints.
- Establish departmental budgets and manage resources to achieve financial and operational objectives.
- Develop annual operating plans, departmental goals, and measurable objectives aligned with broader company priorities.
- Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing supply chain organization focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Introduce Lean, Six Sigma, visual management, and other process improvement methodologies to increase efficiency and operational visibility.
- Champion a culture of proactive problem solving, continuous learning, and operational excellence.
- Provide regular updates to senior leadership regarding supply chain performance, risks, opportunities, and strategic initiatives.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline; Master's degree preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive experience within supply chain, procurement, materials management, planning, or operations.
- 5+ years of experience in the life science industries.
- 5+ years of leadership experience managing supply chain teams, preferably within a medical device, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or other highly regulated environment.
- Demonstrated success developing and executing supply chain strategies in a growing or complex organization.
- Strong understanding of demand and supply planning, procurement, inventory management, supplier management, and logistics.
- Experience working within FDA-regulated and cGMP environments.
- Strong knowledge of quality systems and regulatory requirements applicable to the life sciences industry.
- Proven ability to develop, motivate, and retain high-performing teams.
- Strong financial, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
- Demonstrated experience negotiating supplier agreements and managing strategic vendor relationships.
- Experience implementing or optimizing ERP/MRP systems and related supply chain processes.
- Ability to use data and performance metrics to drive operational improvements.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, changing environment.
- Strong business judgment and the ability to make timely decisions with incomplete information.
- Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of an organization.
- Demonstrated commitment to quality, compliance, and operational excellence.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Provides overall leadership and direction for the Supply Chain organization and is responsible for the performance and development of direct and indirect reports. Establishes clear expectations, develops team capabilities, and fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer focus.
The Director is accountable for the team's execution against departmental objectives, operating plans, quality requirements, and company policies and procedures.