Global Supply Manager – Avionics

Global Supply Manager – Avionics

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain/Operations Management, Business, or equivalent. (10+ years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.)
• 5+ years of supply chain experience, with a focus on electronics or avionics systems.
• Proven experience in supplier management, sourcing strategy, and contract negotiation.
• Strong understanding of MRP/ERP systems and demand planning processes.
• Familiarity with defense industry compliance requirements, including ITAR, EAR, and NDAA a plus.
• Ability to interpret complex BOMs and collaborate with engineering on design-for-procurement initiatives.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end supply chain strategy and execution for all avionics systems, including flight computers, sensors, navigation units, communication hardware, and power distribution components.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive Avionics Supply Chain Strategy, managing a specialized vendor base to optimize value, performance, and long-term partnerships.
• Identify and onboard new suppliers to address capability or capacity gaps, and establish preferred suppliers for assigned categories.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Program Management, and Procurement to ensure timely sourcing, qualification, and delivery of avionics components aligned with program milestones.
• Become technically fluent in the engineering and manufacturing processes of avionics hardware to provide design-for-procurement feedback and support design-for-supply-chain initiatives.
• Own initial demand planning and forecasting for avionics components across development, low-rate initial production (LRIP), and ramping production phases.
• Assist in the management of MRP inputs and BOM accuracy to ensure supply visibility and alignment with enterprise systems.
• Conduct comprehensive supply chain assessments to support material readiness through all production phases, including development, qualification, ramp-up, and sustainment.
• Develop category-specific sourcing strategies to mitigate risk, reduce cost, and achieve departmental targets such as payment terms, cash flow, and cost savings.
• Drive supplier accountability for performance, including quality, cost, and on-time delivery; manage open orders, resolve supply issues, and triage supplier non-conformances (NCRs).
• Negotiate contracts in collaboration with legal and compliance teams, ensuring alignment with ITAR, EAR, NDAA, and other regulatory frameworks.
• Monitor and report on supply chain health using KPIs, and implement supplier performance improvement programs.
• Conduct benchmarking, market analysis, and quantitative assessments to guide sourcing decisions and optimize procurement outcomes.
• Streamline purchasing operations by reducing transactional volume and resolving blocked invoices.
• Drive and assist in the development of advanced supply chain processes that elevate the overall organization.
• Support broader supply chain activities beyond avionics, including sourcing, procurement, and material planning for non-avionics hardware as needed to meet overall program objectives.
• Provide regular briefings to leadership on avionics supply chain performance, risks, and mitigation strategies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in supply chain management for unmanned systems, robotics, or aerospace applications.
• Deep expertise in avionics hardware, including flight computers, sensors, and communication systems.
• Hands-on experience with supplier qualification and performance management in a defense or high-reliability environment.
• Advanced knowledge of regulatory frameworks such as ITAR, EAR, and NDAA, with a track record of ensuring compliance.
• Proficiency in advanced supply chain analytics and optimization tools.
• Experience supporting rapid production ramps and scalable manufacturing operations.