Manager, Supply Chain

About this position Attalon is a leading technology partner to the global aerospace and defense industry, specializing in the physics of light. With over 500 employees in the U.S., Attalon engineers critical optical, laser, and coating technologies that enable systems to see farther, target faster, and survive the harshest environments. From high-energy directed laser systems to satellite optics and hypersonic thermal protection, Attalon equips the warfighter with the advantage of precision. At Attalon inc. in Bloomfield, CT we foster a culture of innovation and collaboration. Our teams work in a state-of-the-art facility with advanced cleanrooms, precision manufacturing, and cutting-edge R&D labs, enabling us to deliver world-class optical solutions. We value continuous improvement, technical excellence, and teamwork, leveraging vertical integration to accelerate design cycles and meet challenging customer requirements. Employees thrive in an environment that combines high-tech engineering with hands‑on problem solving, where ideas move quickly from concept to production. If you’re passionate about precision, creativity, and making an impact in lasers and fiber optics, you’ll fit right in. Attalon is seeking a Manager, Supply Chain & Strategic Sourcing, for our Bloomfield, CT facility. This leader is directly responsible for the performance, development, and direction of both the Purchasing team and the NPI Supply Chain function, ensuring seamless continuity from early product development through production. The Manager owns all supply chain activities including Purchasing, Subcontract Management, and supplier performance. In addition, this role provides strategic sourcing leadership by shaping sourcing strategy, optimizing the supplier base, driving long term cost structures, and ensuring production programs have the materials, suppliers, and readiness required to meet schedule, cost, and compliance requirements. This leader is also responsible for overseeing the NPI Supply Chain function, directing and developing the individual who manages all day-to-day NPI material readiness activities. The Manager ensures that NPI supply chain work, part readiness, supplier engagement, BOM alignment, ECNs, long lead identification, and development to production transitions, is executed effectively through direct leadership of the assigned NPI resource. This position shapes sourcing strategy, optimizes the supplier base, ensures supply continuity, and embeds supply chain requirements early into engineering and program planning. Responsibilities Core Responsibilities (Direct Ownership) Leadership of Purchasing & NPI Supply Chain Serve as the direct leader for both the Purchasing team and the NPI Supply Chain resource , providing guidance, priority setting, coaching, and performance management. Ensure the NPI resource has clear direction, support, and escalation paths to manage NPI readiness, prototype builds, and material transitions. Maintain accountability for the results of NPI supply chain execution, even though day-to-day NPI tasks are performed by the dedicated NPI team member. Procurement & Subcontract Management Lead sourcing, purchasing, negotiations, supplier selection, and award decisions. Oversee supplier performance for quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness. Manage material planning, expediting, and delivery schedules across development and production. Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Optimization Develop and execute sourcing strategies for development programs, long-lead materials, and production scaling. Drive cost-reduction initiatives and supplier-optimization actions. Translate engineering changes into sourcing strategies, cost impacts, and supplier readiness requirements. Oversee supplier ramp-up readiness as programs move from prototype to production. Operational Excellence Champion LEAN and continuous improvement across supply chain operations. Maintain supply chain KPIs, reporting, and departmental budget ownership. Cross‑Functional Responsibilities Provide leadership oversight of the NPI supply chain individual as they coordinate NPI part readiness, BOM alignment, ECN handoffs, long-lead identification, and prototype-build support. Partner with Engineering to ensure the dedicated NPI resource receives clear inputs on design changes, manufacturability considerations, qualification requirements, and long-lead constraints. Collaborate with Program Management to align sourcing strategy and material readiness with schedule milestones and risk-mitigation needs. Engage with Contracts, Compliance, and Program teams to ensure sourcing activities comply with FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR, and customer requirements. Work with Quality, Supplier Quality, Engineering, and Operations to integrate supplier qualification, FAIs, production-line readiness, and shortage-avoidance activities. Support Sales and Program teams with material availability, cost inputs, and sourcing feasibility for proposals and customer commitments. Support cross-site procurement alignment and shared best practices across partner locations. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Logistics, Supply Chain, or related field 5+ years of progressive supply chain experience 2+ years of people management experience Demonstrated success in contract negotiation and supplier management Strong skills in supplier evaluation, relationship building, and performance oversight Ability to interpret and communicate technical information related to precision-engineered components Experience working with multiple ERP systems Excellent analytical, organizational, and time‑management skills Preferred Qualifications Aerospace/Defense supply chain experience in procurement, subcontracting, supplier sourcing Expertise in strategic sourcing for precision opto‑mechanical, optical, laser, mechanical, and electrical components Experience supporting NPI, early supplier engagement, and bid/proposal cost structuring IFS or Oracle ERP experience Knowledge of FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR, and government‑contracting requirements Background in supplier cost control, schedule execution, and cost-reduction strategy Experience in Supplier Quality Assessment and corrective-action management Experience leading LEAN initiatives and continuous improvement Familiarity with Quality, Inventory Management, Shipping/Receiving, Configuration Management Strong cross‑functional collaboration with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Program Management, Sales, and Contracts Experience managing dual‑sourcing and supply‑continuity strategies Attalon, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. This role involves access to technology, materials, software, or hardware subject to U.S. export control laws. Therefore, to be considered, candidates must be classified as a "U.S. Person" under applicable regulations or be eligible for authorization under a U.S. government export license. #J-18808-Ljbffr