Supply Chain Specialist III

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability

401(k) Savings Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Paid Time-Off (PTO)

Holidays

Education Reimbursement

Job summary

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. is seeking a senior-level Supply Chain Specialist III to coordinate material readiness across multiple functions, ensuring alignment with production priorities and customer delivery schedules.

This role acts as the primary operational bridge between supply chain teams and manufacturing leadership. The ideal candidate has 5+ years in supply chain, strong MRP/ERP experience, and proven cross-functional leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, Engineering, Logistics, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in supply chain, materials, purchasing, production control, or manufacturing operations.
• Manufacturing experience preferred; aerospace/defense or regulated manufacturing is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate material readiness across Planning, Purchasing, MP&L, Shipping & Receiving, Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Program Management.
• Maintain consolidated material-readiness view to align with MPS.
• Lead shortage and material-readiness reviews and drive recovery actions to closure.
• Support supplier communications, monitoring commitments, expedites, and recovery plans.
• Ensure material moves quickly from receipt to production availability.

Skills

Supply chain knowledge

MRP/ERP systems

Cross-functional leadership

Excel

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Deltek Costpoint

ERP software

Job description

The Supply Chain Specialist III is a senior individual contributor responsible for coordinating material readiness across Supply Chain, Material Planning, Purchasing, MP&L, Shipping & Receiving, Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Program Management.

This role serves as the primary operational bridge between the Supply Chain Manager, Material Planner, Buyers, MP&L, and Shipping & Receiving, ensuring material requirements, supplier commitments, shortages, inventory, and production priorities remain aligned.

The Supply Chain Specialist III drives visibility, accountability, and resolution of material constraints before they impact production or customer delivery.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Material Readiness & Execution

• Maintain the consolidated material-readiness view supporting the Master Production Schedule.
• Coordinate daily priorities across Planning, Purchasing, MP&L, Shipping & Receiving, Quality, and Manufacturing.
• Lead shortage and material-readiness reviews.
• Identify material risks and drive recovery actions to closure.
• Escalate unresolved constraints to Supply Chain leadership.
• Partner with Buyers to monitor supplier commitments, past-due orders, expedites, and recovery plans.
• Support supplier communication regarding priorities, shortages, delivery risks, and production changes.
• Support supplier performance, capacity, and long-lead material reviews.
• Assist with sourcing and supplier transition activities as required.

MRP / ERP & Planning

• Work with the Material Planner to ensure MRP requirements align with production demand.
• Review shortages, exception messages, planned orders, inventory, and material availability.
• Identify and resolve planning or transactional issues affecting material flow.
• Support effective use of Deltek Costpoint and related MRP/ERP systems.

MP&L / Inventory / Shipping & Receiving

• Coordinate material staging, kitting, inventory availability, and production priorities.
• Support inventory accuracy, cycle counting, and discrepancy resolution.
• Monitor critical inbound material through receiving and inspection.
• Coordinate priority receipts, supplier returns, intercompany transfers, and expedited shipments.
• Ensure material moves quickly from receipt to production availability.

Production & Program Support

• Serve as a primary Supply Chain interface for manufacturing material issues.
• Participate in MPS, production, program, and shortage reviews.
• Translate production priorities into Supply Chain execution priorities.
• Provide accurate material status, risks, and recovery plans to Operations and Program Management.

Monitor and improve key Supply Chain metrics including:

• Material readiness to MPS
• Critical shortages and aging
• Inventory accuracy
• Material holds / MRB
• Receiving cycle time
• Supplier recovery status

Identify recurring constraints and implement improvements to planning, purchasing, receiving, inventory, kitting, and material flow.

Compliance

• Support compliance with company procedures, AS9100D, FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR, customer, and contractual requirements.
• Maintain appropriate procurement, supplier, material, and traceability records.
• Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits as required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• No direct reports. This position provides functional leadership and coordination across Supply Chain activities and may lead cross-functional shortage, recovery, and improvement efforts.

Experience and Skills

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE / EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, Engineering, Logistics, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in supply chain, materials, purchasing, production control, or manufacturing operations.
• Manufacturing experience required; aerospace, defense, automotive, or regulated manufacturing preferred.
• Experience coordinating planning, purchasing, suppliers, inventory, and production activities.

REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong understanding of manufacturing supply chain and material flow.
• Strong MRP/ERP and material-planning knowledge.
• Ability to interpret BOMs, schedules, purchase orders, and inventory requirements.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to drive accountability without direct authority.
• Strong communication and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and reporting capability.
• Ability to identify risks early and drive corrective actions.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• FAR/DFARS and AS9100
• APICS/ASCM certification
• Lean / Six Sigma
• Power BI or Cognos

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Office, warehouse, and manufacturing environments
• Frequent interaction with shop floor, inventory, and suppliers
• May require extended hours during shortages, recovery efforts, or production surges
• Ability to walk, stand, and perform on-site assessments
• May be required to lift materials, components, or packages up to 40 lbs

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• 0–20% as required to support suppliers, audits, customer visits, or other Kratos locations

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK BEING PERFORMED BY INDIVIDUALS ASSIGNED TO THIS CLASSIFICATION. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED OF PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

A REVIEW OF THIS CLASSIFICATION HAS EXCLUDED THE MARGINAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASSIFICATION THAT AREINCIDENTAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF FUNDAMENTAL JOB JUTIES. ALL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THIS JOB PROFICIENTLY. THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE THE MINIMUM LEVELS OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS OR ABILITIES.

EEO/M/F/D/V

#LI-Onsite

• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race,color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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