Regional Supply Chain Director

Eleven Recruiting is searching for a Regional Supply Chain & Procurement Director for one of our largest Space and Defense companies specializing in large-scale metallic structures, composite systems, precision machining, and mission-critical hardware supporting launch vehicles, hypersonics, and advanced defense platforms.

This leader will unify strategic sourcing and procurement operations across multiple regional manufacturing sites, leveraging collective purchasing power to drive material cost reductions, improve supplier performance, and implement scalable processes that support multi-program growth.

Reporting to the Vice President of Corporate Operations, this leader will architect regional sourcing strategies for direct production materials—including exotic alloys, composite systems, machined components, and outside processing services—while establishing robust supply chain governance, risk management structures, and continuous improvement frameworks.

They will embed supply chain strategy across the entire product lifecycle—from prototype through production ramp and sustainment—ensuring scalability, manufacturability, and cost competitiveness across the regional network.

Responsibilities

Strategic Procurement Leadership

• Develop and implement unified sourcing strategies for key spend categories including: Raw Materials & Exotic Alloys (Titanium, Nickel Super-Alloys, Aluminum, High-Temperature Steels); Composite Systems (Carbon-Carbon, Ablatives, Resin Systems, Prepregs); Machined & Fabricated Components (Large-Part Machining, Spin Forming, Precision Metal Forming); Outside Processing Services (Heat Treat, NDT, Surface Finishing, Welding/Bonding); Indirect/Plant-Wide Supplies (MRO, Tooling, Energy, Logistics); Lead supplier consolidation efforts to leverage regional scale and deliver year-over-year cost savings.
• Negotiate long-term agreements (LTAs) and framework contracts to stabilize pricing, secure supplier capacity, and improve cash flow.
• Own commercial and contractual execution, including vendor terms and conditions, liability, IP protection, and strategic sourcing frameworks to ensure both agility and compliance.
• Coordinate with Commercial and Program teams to ensure supplier contracts—particularly for raw materials and key commodities—align with customer program timelines and contractual terms.
• Partner with Finance, Program Management, and Engineering to align sourcing strategies with customer contracts, revenue goals, and program timelines.

Operational Integration & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Align and standardize procurement practices across regional sites to ensure process consistency, visibility, and data integrity.
• Partner with site procurement teams and location leadership to ensure alignment of supply chain goals with site-level objectives for supply continuity, cash flow, production volumes, and plant projects.
• Support long-lead procurement planning, make/buy analysis, and MRP integration to synchronize with production schedules and program milestones.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Program Management to embed Design-for-Supply-Chain (DfSC) and design-to-cost principles into new program launches.
• Drive early supplier engagement in the design phase to optimize manufacturability, lead times, and lifecycle cost outcomes.

Supplier Development & Risk Management

• Lead Supplier Performance Management (SPM) and Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) programs focused on on-time delivery, quality, and total cost.
• Establish a risk-based supplier segmentation model to monitor critical suppliers, mitigate single-source dependencies, and ensure ITAR/EAR/CMMC compliance.
• Conduct supplier audits, qualifications, and scorecard reviews to maintain compliance with DCMA, DoD, and NASA standards.
• Partner with suppliers on value engineering, capacity expansion, and new material qualification initiatives supporting new product introductions (NPI).
• Develop and maintain dual-sourcing and continuity planning strategies to safeguard critical production materials.

Performance Management & Digital Transformation

• Establish and track key procurement KPIs including On-Time-In-Full (OTIF), Purchase Price Variance (PPV), inventory turnover, and supplier lead time performance.
• Implement supplier operational KPIs tied to on-time delivery, quality, and inventory performance, with routine reviews to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.
• Drive ERP and MRP process discipline across regional sites to ensure accurate BOM structures, material planning, cost roll-up integrity, and data governance.
• Champion digital tools and analytics dashboards to deliver real-time visibility into supplier performance, material spend, and inventory health.
• Drive inventory optimization through regional initiatives such as Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), consignment programs, and supply consolidation with strategic partners to reduce working capital and lead times.
• Build and lead a high-accountability organization structured around core supply chain domains—planning, sourcing, materials, and supplier development—with clear ownership, measurable KPIs, and alignment to corporate objectives.
• Champion Lean and Six Sigma practices to streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve responsiveness across all sites.

Executive Partnership & Strategic Influence

• Serve as a strategic partner to the executive leadership team, providing real-time supply chain intelligence, material cost projections, and risk assessments to support operational planning, business cases, and customer proposals.
• Collaborate with Finance and Commercial leadership on the annual business plan to forecast material spend, inflation impact, and cost-savings opportunities in support of revenue and profit commitments.
• Communicate progress, risks, and cost-reduction results through executive dashboards and structured reporting.
• Represent Supply Chain in corporate strategy sessions, ensuring alignment between program requirements and long-term procurement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field; MBA preferred.
• 10 years of experience in procurement or supply chain leadership within aerospace, defense, or precision manufacturing, including at least 5 years overseeing multi-site or regional operations.
• Proven expertise in sourcing metallic and composite raw materials, complex machined components, and outside processing services.
• Strong understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes, technical drawings, and material specifications.
• Demonstrated success in supplier negotiations, contract execution, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Familiarity with AS9100, ITAR/EAR, CMMC, and defense compliance frameworks.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and advanced procurement analytics tools.
• APICS or Lean Six Sigma certification preferred.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and influencing skills, with ability to work cross-functionally across multiple sites and programs.

Salary: $200,000 - $220,000