Director of Supply Chain (San Diego)
- $150-200M Org: This is a scrappy Director role and the candidate must be willing to be hands on and get into the weeds when needed. This is not a 3B+ business where the entire role is strategic.
- While this is a Director of ‘Supply Chain’ and encompasses the full scope, it’s a Procurement and Purchasing heavy lean in terms of things that need to get done, improved upon and executed.
- Team of 15+ total (8 salaried).
- Should have experience with engineered products, preferably with Medical Device or Consumer Products.
- Hybrid role – this is not fully remote. Willing to consider a 2 or 3 day hybrid schedule.
Managers, Sr Managers looking for that Director level step are encouraged to apply!
Summary:
Our client, a dynamic and innovative organization, is seeking a strategic and results-driven Director of Supply Chain to play a pivotal role in advancing its operational objectives.
This position collaborates closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to design, develop, and execute a robust supply chain framework, encompassing sourcing, procurement, and inventory management for both direct and indirect materials.
This role is responsible for shaping and implementing supply chain strategies, establishing standardized processes, leading the procurement organization, and ensuring alignment with client-driven schedules.
The Director will drive efforts to centralize procurement functions and foster strong vendor relationships across the supply chain. Additionally, this position will work closely with Finance, Manufacturing, Quality, and R&D to optimize the end-to-end procure-to-pay process and enhance collaboration across the organization’s global business units.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Planning and Execution:
- Lead the development and execution of supply chain strategies, including planning, organizing, and overseeing procurement, contract management, and asset management activities.
- Identify opportunities to enhance operational efficiency and implement innovative solutions to improve service delivery.
- Develop and manage the procurement budget, including forecasting, allocating funds, and approving expenditures.
- Inventory and Logistics Management:
- Oversee Production Control, Warehousing, and Logistics to ensure cost-effective material storage, efficient inbound/outbound logistics, and timely material replenishment for manufacturing operations.
- Design and implement a scalable, cost-efficient distribution and logistics strategy.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with third-party service providers to optimize price-to-performance ratios while ensuring reliable supplier partnerships.
- Procurement Operations Leadership:
- Identify and implement opportunities to enhance procurement efficiency in collaboration with senior leadership.
- Develop and maintain up-to-date procurement policies and procedures aligned with industry best practices, ensuring ongoing compliance.
- Lead strategic tender processes, evaluate supplier bids, and establish performance metrics to monitor procurement operations and service levels.
- Supplier Relationship Management:
- Create and manage a supplier relationship program to maximize value, ensure reliable delivery, and align with best practices.
- Oversee performance monitoring of strategic suppliers, using key performance indicators to drive continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to benchmark supplier performance and implement enhancements.
- Team Leadership and Development:
- Leverage internal systems to manage daily operations, address critical issues impacting safety, quality, delivery, and cost, and drive effective escalation processes.
- Provide coaching, career development, and performance feedback to direct reports, identifying training needs to support team growth.
Required
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Typically requires 12+ years of supervisory experience with a Bachelor’s degree, 10+ years with a Master’s degree, or 8+ years with a PhD.
- Minimum of 15 years of relevant functional experience.
Experience:
- 12+ years of progressive experience in a similar industry, with a proven track record of growth within a comparable environment.
- Deep expertise in the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) industry, including knowledge of markets, business operations, and all functional areas.
- CIPS certification is highly desirable.
- Leadership experience in manufacturing operations across both large and small organizations, with exposure to best-in-class practices in areas such as process flows, Manufacturing Execution Systems, Lean methodologies, Theory of Constraints, OEE, TPM, Cellular Manufacturing, and tools like SMED, 5S, QFD, FMEA, 8D, and CAPA.
- Familiarity with regulatory standards (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 13485) and environmental compliance.
- Proven success in complex product realization environments, particularly in industries such as Life Sciences, Industrial, Smart Machines, or Defense.
- Extensive experience in product development and launch cycles, with a strong understanding of Product Life Cycle management, project management, and account management.
- Comprehensive knowledge of modern supply chain practices, including planning, sourcing, procurement, inventory control, warehouse management, logistics, and returns.
- Thrives in fast-paced, complex environments, managing multiple priorities while delivering on quality, cost, and delivery objectives.
- Demonstrated ability to contribute strategically to the organization’s direction, driving innovative, industry-leading solutions.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Equipment: Familiarity with a broad range of manufacturing and prototyping equipment, including CNC machines, sheet metal equipment, molds, 3D printers, SMT machines, and other industrial tools.
- Software Knowledge: Proficient in ERP systems, PLM tools (ARAS experience is a plus), and EDA/CAD tools such as SolidWorks, PTC, or AutoCAD. Strong command of MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint) and other relevant software for data analysis and communication.
- Procurement Expertise: Extensive experience in materials management, including planning, purchasing, negotiation, and administration of multi-million-dollar procurement agreements.
- Supplier Networks: Established relationships with global sub-contract manufacturers, with knowledge of their capabilities, pricing, and negotiation strategies.
- Adaptability: Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new software and tools across HR, Quality, Finance, and Lean disciplines.
- Leadership: Self-starter and collaborative team player who excels in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.
- Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze complex data, communicate insights effectively, and drive decision-making in ambiguous, cross-functional settings.
