Director of Supply Chain

Job Description

Job Description

The Director of Supply Chain is responsible for end-to-end material strategy and execution, from demand translation and materials planning through strategic sourcing, supplier management, and inventory optimization in a complex production and engineer-to-order environment. This role ensures that long-lead engineered components, configured items, and standard materials are available on time, at target cost, and to specification to support project milestones, customer commitments, and working capital objectives. This position performs functions or is immediately available to perform functions that are considered safety sensitive for the purpose of maintenance or preventive maintenance as defined by 14 CFR 121. Therefore, employment and continued employment with the company is conditioned upon full compliance with the company's Antidrug and Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program as required by 14 CFR Part 120, 135, 145 and 49 CFR Part 40.

Functions:

Material Planning

• Translate demand (project schedules, forecasts, and order backlog) into short-, mid-, and long-range material and capacity plans for ETO and standard product lines.
• Design and maintain planning parameters (lead times, safety stocks, order policies, PFEP) for all parts, with emphasis on long-lead and engineered materials.
• In partnership with the Master Scheduler, be a key leader in S&OP/SIOP to align demand, supply, inventory, and financial plans, driving scenario planning and risk mitigation around major programs.

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Oversee sourcing, negotiation, and contracting for direct materials, engineered components, and key services to support project and product requirements.
• Build and maintain a competitive, qualified supply base capable of supporting customized engineering requirements, variable demand, and tight delivery windows.
• Lead supplier performance management for quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness, including regular business reviews and corrective action where needed.
• Ensures all supplier management records or systems track certifications and adherence to local, state, and federal regulations, as applicable, as determined by project technical requirements and compliance

Engineer-to-Order / Project Focus

• Partner closely with Engineering, Program Management, and Operations so BOM structures, ECOs, and configuration rules support accurate planning and sourcing.
• Implement robust processes for managing engineering changes, ensuring that drawing releases, BOM updates, and design revisions are synchronized with material plans and supplier actions.
• Develop material strategies for each major project (material required dates, long-lead strategies, make-versus-buy, alternates) to protect critical path schedules.

Inventory, Cost, and Risk Management

• Partner closely with COO and Business Operations to assist with value creation metrics, supplier sourcing, cost negotiation, vendor agreements and long term partnerships to ensure on time delivery in line with financial targets
• Own strategic inventory targets (including project-specific and common parts), balancing service, schedule risk, and Net Working Capital.
• Monitor and improve inventory health (turns, excess and obsolete, aging), driving root-cause analysis and corrective actions on planning and procurement drivers.
• Identify and mitigate supply and logistics risks, including single-source items, geopolitical exposure, capacity constraints, and long-lead engineering dependencies.

Processes, Systems, and Continuous Improvement

• Serve as business process owner for materials planning and procurement workflows in the ERP/MRP and associated planning tools.
• Standardize and document PFEP, planning, purchasing, and supplier management processes to support scalability and repeatability across ETO and production programs.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and digital tools to improve forecast accuracy, planning adherence, supplier performance, and transactional efficiency.

Perform other duties as required

• Regular and reliable attendance on a full time basis [or in accordance with posted schedule].
• Responsible for exhibiting professional behavior with both internal and external business associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company's policies and practices.
• Embodies AEVEX's cultural values and aligns daily actions with department goals and company culture.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Security Clearance -Ability to obtain/maintain a Secret DoD clearance, U.S. Citizenship required.
• Proven experience in a production and engineer-to-order or project-based manufacturing environment (e.g., aerospace, capital equipment, industrial systems).
• Strong ERP/MRP and planning systems expertise; experience implementing or optimizing planning and procurement processes and tools.
• Demonstrated success managing suppliers, negotiating complex agreements, and delivering measurable improvements in cost, delivery, and inventory.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to influence at all levels and in a matrixed environment.
• Directs and provides expert knowledge in the strategic function of the department.
• Develops short and long-term people and organizational strategy in alignment with AEVEX goals and direction.
• Leads with impact & influence. Establishes credibility, effectively persuades and develops others, and achieves important objectives collaboratively.
• Identifies, recruits, and retains top-notch talent.
• Champions AEVEX's culture and empowers employees to take responsibility for their jobs and goals.
• Sets performance standards and encourages employee engagement and results through delegation, continuous feedback, goal setting, and performance management.
• Maintains transparent communication. Appropriately communicates organization information through department meetings, one-on-one meetings, and appropriate email, and regular interpersonal communication.
• Strong ability to effectively represent the Supply Chain in executive level interactions, communications and decision making.
• Strong executive presence, bias for action, disciplined approached to Supply Chain processes and process control.
• Strong ability to develop and own the materials roadmap covering planning, procurement, inventory levels, and supplier strategy to support ETO and production operations.
• Ability to align material and procurement strategies with business goals, including OTIF (on-time[1]in-full) delivery, cost reduction, cash/working capital targets, and quality and compliance requirements.
• Ability to lead and develop a high-performing team across material planning, tactical buying, and strategic sourcing, including clear KPIs and performance management.
• Ability to develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Material availability at production start and key milestones.
• Inventory turns and Net Working Capital versus targets.
• Purchase price variance and total cost of ownership improvements.
• Supplier OTIF, quality, and responsiveness metrics.
• Forecast accuracy and planning adherence for key materials.

Education / Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field
• Master's Degree preferred

Experience

• 20+ Experience in Aerospace manufacturing operations; defense contract manufacturing experience preferred
• 15+ years of experience in progressive leadership roles
• Experience with FAR/DFAR requirement flow down, acknowledgement and accountability.
• Global supply chain experience preferred including demonstrated leadership presence and influence over critical suppliers.
• Experience in the application of Continuous Improvement methodologies and tools including Toyota Production System, Six Sigma and Lean a plus
• Experience with supply chain management software (e.g., Infor LN, SAP, Oracle, or similar ERP systems).

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties the employee is: Physical Requirements Frequently required to sit, and to reach to use computers and other office equipment Note: For the purpose of this summary, occasionally is used to represent up to 1/3 of the time given to the work day, frequently represents 1/3 to 2/3 of the time and constantly represents 2/3 or more of the time.

AEVEX provides a reasonable range of compensation. Actual compensation is influenced by an array of factors including, but not limited to, skill set, level of experience, and specific location. The range of starting pay for this position is for the listed location only.

Salary Range

$195,300—$227,900 USD

About AEVEX

AEVEX, headquartered in Solana Beach, California, supports the U.S. national security mission and partner nation needs around the world by providing full-spectrum aviation, remote sensing, and analysis solutions. The company's capabilities include custom design and engineering; rapid prototyping; sensor integration and sustainment; aircraft modification and certification; flight test instrumentation and support; mission operations service; advanced intelligence data processing, exploitation, and dissemination solutions; and tailored hardware and software mission-system tools. AEVEX uses agile and customized approaches to rapidly define, develop, and deliver specialized solutions for airborne special mission needs for the U.S. Government, partner nations, and commercial businesses. AEVEX has major offices in California, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia.

AEVEX provides a full suite of comprehensive benefits, including a 401(k)-retirement plan, comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability and Life insurance group coverage with a portion of the premiums paid by the company, professional development funds, and an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) with counseling, legal help, child and elder care support, among other benefits for qualified employees.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

AEVEX is an Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religious creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, breast feeding and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, military and veteran status, marital status, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, physical disability, mental disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.