Supply Chain Manager

Job Title: Supply Chain Manager (Purchasing Management Experience Required)

Job Location: Cockeysville, MD

Salary: Up to $145k depending on experience

Job Summary:

• Come join our team! We currently have an exciting Permanent (Direct Hire) opportunity in Cockeysville, MD for a Supply Chain Manager with at least 8 years of experience in supply change management and 5 years of purchasing/procurement in a manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or battery production environment.

Job Description

• The Supply Chain Manager is responsible for leading end-to-end supply chain operations, including demand planning, procurement, inventory management, production planning, logistics, supplier management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• This role develops and executes supply chain strategies that ensure material availability, optimize inventory levels, reduce total landed costs, and support business growth while maintaining high levels of customer service.
• The successful candidate will possess significant Purchasing Manager experience and demonstrate expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier development, contract negotiations, risk mitigation, and cost reduction within a manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Supply Chain Leadership:

• Develop and execute the supply chain strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes to balance demand, capacity, and inventory.
• Ensure continuity of supply and timely delivery of materials required for production.
• Establish and monitor key supply chain performance indicators (KPIs).
• Drive improvements in inventory management, material flow, and supply chain efficiency.
• Develop contingency plans to mitigate supply disruptions and business risks.

Procurement & Strategic Sourcing:

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives for direct and indirect materials.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing agreements, and supplier performance expectations.
• Manage supplier relationships and conduct regular business reviews.
• Identify and implement cost-reduction opportunities through competitive sourcing, standardization, and supplier collaboration.
• Evaluate supplier risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Ensure compliance with company purchasing policies and regulatory requirements.

Planning & Inventory Management:

• Oversee demand forecasting, material planning, and inventory control processes.
• Optimize inventory levels while maintaining operational readiness.
• Monitor inventory turns, safety stock levels, and working capital performance.
• Collaborate with production, engineering, quality, and finance teams to support operational goals.

Logistics & Distribution:

• Manage transportation, warehousing, and distribution activities.
• Improve logistics performance, freight optimization, and transportation costs.
• Ensure compliance with domestic and international shipping regulations.
• Coordinate import/export activities where applicable.

Team Leadership:

• Lead, mentor, and develop supply chain, planning, purchasing, and logistics personnel.
• Establish performance objectives and conduct regular evaluations.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Support employee training and succession planning initiatives.

Continuous Improvement:

• Drive Lean, Six Sigma, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Implement digital tools and automation opportunities to improve supply chain visibility and efficiency.
• Lead cross-functional projects focused on productivity, cost reduction, and service improvement.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field is required.
• Master's degree (MBA or Supply Chain discipline) preferred.

Required Experience:

• 8 years of progressive supply chain experience.
• Minimum 5 years of purchasing/procurement management experience.
• Experience in manufacturing, industrial, aerospace, defense, automotive, battery, or other complex production environments preferred.
• Proven success in supplier negotiations, contract management, and cost reduction programs.
• Experience managing teams and cross-functional initiatives.

Technical Skills:

• S&OP, MRP, and ERP systems experience (SAP, Oracle, QAD, M3, Microsoft Dynamics, etc.).
• Strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management.
• Inventory optimization and warehouse management.
• Supply chain risk management.
• Financial analysis and total cost of ownership (TCO) evaluation.
• Advanced Excel and data analytics skills.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• On-Time Delivery (OTD)
• Supplier On-Time Delivery Performance
• Inventory Turns
• Inventory Accuracy
• Material Availability
• Cost Savings & Cost Avoidance
• Purchase Price Variance (PPV)
• Working Capital Reduction
• Forecast Accuracy
• Supplier Quality Performance (PPM)
• Freight Cost as % of Revenue
• Customer Service Level / OTIF

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking
• Negotiation & Influencing
• Business Acumen
• Risk Management
• Change Leadership
• Decision Making
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Accountability and Results Orientation
• Strong Communication Skills

Note:

• Must be U.S. Citizen or Green Card Holder - "Must be able to meet ITAR requirements, including US citizenship to be considered for this role."