Supply Chain Director

Roles and Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Plan, develop, organize, direct, manage and evaluate the personnel, operations and budget of supply chain.
• 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.
• Manage vendor relationships (e.g., third party logistics).
• Collaborate with staff, other departments, senior management, and decision makers to share information, problem solve, and clarify management objectives.
• Oversee organization-wide management of the strategic sourcing, procurement, contracting, and evaluation of services.
• Manage / coordinate the sales and operations planning process including supply / demand forecasting, inventory management, and on-time delivery.
• Develop annual plans with prioritization and resourcing.
• Develop the supply chain strategy for the organization.
• 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.).
• Monitor and analyze current trends in the marketplace.
• Direct and manage corporate governance and regulatory compliance.
• Identify and manage risk within the supply chain.
• Address tactical and strategic supply chain issues.
• Stay informed of advances in supply chain technology and approaches, and apply within the organization to improve supply chain processes.
• Establish key performance indicators, monitor ongoing performance, and improve performance against set goals.
• Develop and implement new systems, best practices, inventory control, demand planning, and other optimizations in order to grow the business.

Other Responsibilities

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

Desired Candidate Profile

1. Strategic Planning and Leadership

• 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.
• Leadership: Leading and motivating cross-functional teams within supply chain departments, including procurement, logistics, inventory management, and demand planning.
• Change Management: Driving and managing change within the supply chain, including process improvements and technological advancements to meet evolving business needs.
• 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

• 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.
• 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.
• Process Automation: Introducing new technologies and automated systems to improve efficiency, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, supply chain management software, and other tools for real-time tracking and inventory management.
• 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

• 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.
• Supplier Performance Management: Monitoring supplier performance and implementing corrective actions as necessary to address issues related to quality, delivery time, and service.
• Contract Negotiations: Leading contract negotiations to secure favorable terms and conditions, including pricing, payment terms, and delivery schedules.

4. Inventory Management

• 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.
• Inventory Optimization: Implementing strategies to optimize inventory turnover and reduce stockouts and overstocking by balancing supply and demand.
• Warehouse Management: Overseeing warehouse operations to ensure efficient storage, handling, and retrieval of goods, as well as ensuring proper inventory systems are in place to track goods across all locations.