Supply Chain Director

Roles and Responsibilities

Essential Functions

1. Plan, develop, organize, direct, manage, and evaluate the personnel, operations, and budget of supply chain.
2. Understand business unit needs, service those needs, and maintain and develop positive business relationships with a customer’s key personnel involved in or directly relevant to supply chain activities.
3. Manage vendor relationships (e.g., third party logistics).
4. Collaborate with staff, other departments, senior management, and decision-makers to share information, problem-solve, and clarify management objectives.
5. Oversee organization-wide management of the strategic sourcing, procurement, contracting, and evaluation of services.
6. Manage/coordinate the sales and operations planning process including supply/demand forecasting, inventory management, and on-time delivery.
7. Develop annual plans with prioritization and resourcing.
8. Develop the supply chain strategy for the organization.
9. Manage and execute procurement-related functions (e.g., develop and implement contract management and procurement frameworks, sourcing strategies, negotiate agreements, draft and manage contracts, etc.).
10. Monitor and analyze current trends in the marketplace.
11. Direct and manage corporate governance and regulatory compliance.
12. Identify and manage risk within the supply chain.
13. Address tactical and strategic supply chain issues.
14. Stay informed of advances in supply chain technology and approaches, and apply within the organization to improve supply chain processes.
15. Establish key performance indicators, monitor ongoing performance, and improve performance against set goals.
16. Develop and implement new systems, best practices, inventory control, demand planning, and other optimizations in order to grow the business.

Other Responsibilities

1. Develop and implement profit improvement plans and change management plans.
2. Communicate values, business goals, and represent the organization to internal and external stakeholders.
3. Manage contractor and subcontractor activities, reviewing proposals, developing performance specifications, and serving as a liaison with the organization.
4. Identify potential projects to deliver changes and improvements to the supply chain and commission selected projects.
5. Manage and/or execute product life-cycle (range) management (e.g., product introduction and phasing out).

Desired Candidate Profile

1. Strategic Planning and Leadership
   1. Supply Chain Strategy Development: Developing and executing long-term strategies to optimize the supply chain and ensure it supports the organization’s goals, such as improving delivery times, reducing costs, and increasing customer satisfaction.
   2. Leadership: Leading and motivating cross-functional teams within supply chain departments, including procurement, logistics, inventory management, and demand planning.
   3. Change Management: Driving and managing change within the supply chain, including process improvements and technological advancements to meet evolving business needs.
   4. Decision Making: Making high-level decisions that influence the supply chain direction, such as supplier selection, inventory policies, and technology investments.
2. Supply Chain Optimization
   1. Efficiency Improvement: Identifying areas for efficiency gains across the entire supply chain, from procurement to logistics to final delivery, ensuring operations are cost-effective while maintaining quality.
   2. Cost Reduction: Developing strategies to reduce operational costs, such as transportation costs, inventory carrying costs, and supplier costs, while maintaining product quality and service levels.
   3. Process Automation: Introducing new technologies and automated systems to improve efficiency, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and supply chain management software.
   4. Forecasting and Planning: Overseeing demand forecasting and supply planning processes to ensure inventory levels align with market demands without overstocking or running out of stock.
3. Vendor and Supplier Management
   1. Supplier Relationship Management: Building and maintaining strong relationships with key suppliers and vendors, negotiating contracts, and ensuring high-quality materials are sourced at competitive prices.
   2. Supplier Performance Management: Monitoring supplier performance and implementing corrective actions as necessary to address issues related to quality, delivery time, and service.
   3. Contract Negotiations: Leading contract negotiations to secure favorable terms and conditions, including pricing, payment terms, and delivery schedules.
4. Inventory Management
   1. Inventory Control: Managing the organization’s inventory levels, ensuring that stock is available when needed while avoiding excess inventory that could tie up capital or result in obsolete stock.
   2. Inventory Optimization: Implementing strategies to optimize inventory turnover and reduce stockouts and overstocking by balancing supply and demand.
   3. Warehouse Management: Overseeing warehouse operations to ensure efficient storage, handling, and retrieval of goods.