Director Supply Chain

For over 65 years, Columbia Helicopters have been a trusted provider of heavy-lift helicopter services. We create new aircraft, fly heavy-lift helicopters around the world, and provide maintenance support to ensure you are mission-ready for critical operations. If you are passionate about aviation, join our Columbia Family!

The Director of Supply Chain provides strategic and operational leadership for Columbia Helicopters’ Supply Chain organization. This role is responsible for developing and executing the global supply chain strategy, including procurement, materials management, supplier performance, and compliance to ensure reliable, cost-effective, and timely delivery of parts, components, and services. The Director drives continuous improvement, digital transformation, and supplier excellence to support Columbia’s fleet operations, MRO services, and manufacturing programs.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Lead Columbia’s Supply Chain organization encompassing Procurement, Supplier Relationship Management, Import/Export Compliance, Cost Management, and Manufacturing Procurement.
• Develop and implement strategic sourcing initiatives to optimize supplier performance, cost, quality, and delivery reliability.
• Build and mentor a high-performing team of ~10 professionals, fostering accountability, innovation, and collaboration in a highly regulated aerospace environment.
• Create and manage annual budgets, forecasts, and spend analyses to ensure alignment with corporate financial goals.
• Drive adoption and optimization of ERP/MRP systems, data analytics, and automation tools to enhance visibility and decision-making across the supply chain.
• Manage inventory levels to balance working capital efficiency with high service levels and readiness for both internal and external customers.
• Oversee supplier lifecycle management, including qualification, risk assessment, contract negotiation, performance monitoring, and long-term partnership development.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Program Management to align supply chain activities with new product introductions, legacy program support, and sustainment initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all FAR, DFARS, ITAR, and export/import regulations, maintaining robust processes and documentation.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to reduce waste, improve throughput, and increase value creation.
• Establish, track, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) for cost, quality, delivery, and responsiveness to ensure organizational performance meets or exceeds objectives.
• Lead supplier recovery and corrective action initiatives when performance deviates from established standards.
• Support sustainability and corporate responsibility initiatives through ethical sourcing, supplier diversity, and environmental stewardship.

Leadership Competencies

• Acts as a key member of the Operations Leadership Team, contributing to strategic planning and long-term organizational growth.
• Demonstrates the ability to lead through influence, manage change, and build alignment across functional boundaries.
• Communicates clearly and effectively with senior leadership, suppliers, and cross-functional teams.
• Inspires trust, fosters collaboration, and builds a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Exhibits high emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and the ability to make decisive, data-informed decisions in fast-paced environments.
• Champions innovation and embraces digital tools that modernize the supply chain function.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU:

• 7 years of progressive experience in supply chain, procurement, or operations leadership roles, preferably within the aviation, aerospace, or defense industries.
• Proven success leading vertically integrated supply chain operations in a regulated manufacturing or MRO environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic sourcing, ERP optimization, and supplier risk management.
• Experience managing complex projects involving supply chain transformation, digital initiatives, or Lean implementation.
• Familiarity with sustainment and lifecycle support for legacy platforms and end-of-life programs.
• Experience leading or supporting ITAR-controlled and export-regulated programs.

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related technical field required.
• MBA or Master’s degree preferred.
• APICS/ASCM, Lean Six Sigma, or CPSM certifications highly desirable.
• Must meet requirements to work as a U.S. person under ITAR regulations.

Key Attributes

• Strategic thinker with hands-on operational agility.
• Strong analytical mindset and financial acumen.
• Collaborative, transparent, and team-oriented leadership style.
• Passion for aviation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)