Director of Contracts

Role Description

The Director of Contracts provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all supply chain functions and program execution. This role ensures that complex aerospace and defense programs are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget while maintaining compliance with U.S. Government regulations. The Director of Contracts will drive innovation, optimize supply chain performance, coordinate program management and lead cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goals.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide visionary leadership to align supply chain and program management strategy with organizational objectives, customer commitments, and industry best practices.
• Oversee coordination, execution, and delivery of complex aerospace/defense and commercial programs, meeting schedule, scope, and budget requirements.
• Establish and monitor financial and operational business health, including KPIs, margin management, cash flow, inventory turns, and proactive risk mitigation across programs and supply chain activities.
• Lead estimating and proposal strategy (RFI, RFQ, RFP), ensuring competitive, compliant, and profitable pricing aligned with win-rate and margin objectives.
• Drive pricing strategy, margin modeling, and contribution margin performance across programs, sourcing strategies, and contract structures.
• Ensure full compliance with U.S. Government contracting and trade regulations, including FAR, DFARS, TINA, ITAR, EAR and FCPA.
• Lead all supply chain operations including demand planning, procurement, inventory, logistics, and delivery while ensuring integrated planning and contract alignment for predictable execution and reduced financial risk.
• Define, lead and execute negotiation efforts for contract strategy, including contract approval, amendments, make/buy decisions, supplier segmentation, IDIQ, LTAs, BPAs, VMI, etc. and strategic partnerships with U.S. Government, military entities, prime contractors and foreign entities involved in FMS or FMF.
• Lead supplier selection, qualification, and performance management based on cost, quality, delivery, reliability, risk, and regulatory compliance.
• Establish and maintain supplier risk and continuity strategies, including contingency planning for capacity, geopolitical, regulatory, and supply disruptions.
• Escalation owner for critical supplier, program, or delivery issues, leading recovery plans and cross-functional resolution efforts.
• Enhance supplier and customer performance through clear standards, structured communication, joint improvement initiatives, and formal feedback mechanisms.
• Establish and continuously improve supply chain systems, tools, and processes to drive standardization, visibility, and decision making.
• Contribute at the executive leadership level by providing macro-level insights on market conditions, capacity trends, cost drivers, and regulatory developments impacting company strategy.
• Serve as an executive interface for key customers, suppliers, and government stakeholders, supporting program reviews, negotiations, and strategic alignment.
• Stay current on industry, market, and regulatory trends to inform sourcing, pricing, and long-term supply chain strategy.
• Lead and develop a high-performing, multi-level organization, including talent development, succession planning, and organizational scalability aligned with business growth.

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management; or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

ASCM or other related purchasing certifications desired.

Travel:

Domestic and international travel up to 15-20%.

Skills/ Qualifications/ Experience:

• 5 – 10 years of experience in sales forecasting, strategic planning, material and labor costing, and contract management.
• Excellence in building, fostering, and growing client relationships through anticipated needs and diligent follow up.
• Thorough understanding of company sales processes, cost structure, pricing, and internal manufacturing.
• Ability to manage multiple, complex projects and changing priorities; work extended hours when required and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Ability to collaborate and work effectively in a cross-functional team environment is required.
• Previous experience in international product sourcing, inventory management, performance metrics, and project management.
• High level of experience with government contracting requirements; FAR, DFARS, TINA, ITAR, EAR and FCPA.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Experience with Microsoft Power BI desired.
• Strong presentation, organization and team management skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.