Lead, Supplier Account Manager

Lead, Supplier Account Manager

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers' mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Location: Lynchburg, VA, Melbourne, FL, or Rochester, NY

Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days – totaling 80 hours worked – and have every other Friday off

Job Description: L3Harris is seeking a Supplier Management Specialist to join the team in Lynchburg, VA. We are looking for a Supply Chain Professional with project and time management skills, ability to work with and influence cross functional teams, analyze supplier performance, identify potential risks and recommend mitigation strategies. This role will support industrial capability and capacity assessments, participate in supplier Kaizen events to influence change, and participate in supplier business reviews and manage supplier relationships ensuring continuity of supply and quality of product.

Essential Functions:

• Ability to travel to support business needs; this can range from 10-35%
• Strategic Supplier Management: Serve as senior relationship owner for CM/ODM portfolio with executive-level governance; Develop multi-year supplier roadmaps aligned with business strategy and technology evolution; Lead supplier business reviews and mentor junior supply chain professionals; Drive supplier sourcing strategies, rationalization, and portfolio optimization through market analysis; Establish supplier segmentation and differentiated management approaches based on strategic value
• Performance & Continuous Improvement: Analyze performance data to identify root causes and develop comprehensive improvement strategies; Conduct accountability conversations while maintaining relationship integrity; Lead on-site Kaizen events and capability assessments with strong facilitation skills; Champion best practices across supplier base and manage supply shortage escalations
• Program Integration & Negotiations: Partner with Program Management providing strategic supply chain counsel and risk assessments; Support proposals with cost modeling, capability assessments, and risk-adjusted estimates; Manage Integrated Master Schedule development and Earned Value metrics; Lead complex negotiations optimizing total cost, quality, delivery, and innovation; Structure creative commercial arrangements that align incentives and partner with Legal on contract terms
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Build collaborative relationships across engineering, quality, operations, and finance; Facilitate cross-functional problem-solving and represent supply chain on Integrated Program Teams; Deliver executive presentations with clarity and strategic insight; Lead meetings with strong facilitation, managing dynamics and driving actionable outcomes; Provide transparent crisis communication with composure under pressure
• Supplier Development & Resilience: Manage suppliers through comprehensive review cycles (SMARs, PARs, PMRs, PDRs, CDRs, SMRRs) with constructive feedback; Invest in capability building through training, technology transfer, and collaborative improvement; Monitor supplier financial health and sustainability proactively; Foster innovation through early supplier engagement in design processes; Develop business continuity plans and monitor geopolitical/economic trends impacting supply base
• Ability to Obtain a US Security

Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree with 9 years prior experience. Graduate Degree with 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.

Preferred Additional Skills: Experience with Kaizen events, industrial capability and capacity assessments; Familiarity with financial analysis and business acumen, eg business case development; Excellent computer skills, especially Microsoft Office products, as well as MRP/ERP system knowledge; Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task project actions; Communication skills to lead meetings and develop presentation packages and business case analysis for review with business leaders and suppliers; Excellent supplier and customer interaction skills (internal & external)