Director of Supplier Development

Fairbanks Morse Defense • Beloit, WI

75d

About The Position

The Director of Supplier Development will establish and lead the strategic direction and execution of a robust Supplier Development Program critical for our defense contracts. This role is responsible for improving the technical capabilities, quality, delivery, and cost-competitiveness of our supply base to meet the stringent requirements of defense programs, including adherence to ITAR, FAR, DFARS, and DoD regulations. The Director will drive a culture of continuous improvement, risk mitigation, and strong supplier partnership within the supply chain organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial), Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in Supply Chain, Supplier Quality, or Manufacturing Engineering, with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing supplier development in the Defense, Aerospace, or highly regulated industry.
• Supplier healthy and performance standards, applicable technical requires for FMD products and materials, Lean principles, and Six Sigma methodology (Black Belt or Green Belt certification highly desirable).
• Deep understanding of U.S. defense contracting regulations (e.g., DFARS, ITAR, FAR), government organizations, prime contractors, and security requirements.
• Currently hold or ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Security Clearance (Secret or higher preferred).
• Ability to travel up to 40% domestically and internationally to supplier sites.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree or MBA.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of Supplier Development strategies, goals, and metrics (KPIs) aligned with company growth, program needs, and long-term defense industry requirements.
• Manage the identification, assessment, and prioritization of strategic and critical suppliers for development based on risk, performance gaps, and future needs.
• Establish and maintain a strong partnership with the Supplier Quality Program to execute the Supplier Quality Management System (SQMS) and ensure supplier adherence to standards and defense-specific quality and security protocols.
• Direct a team of Supplier Development professionals to execute development plans, including on-site assessments, process audits, and remediation activities.
• Drive significant, measurable improvements in On-Time Delivery (OTD), Quality, manufacturing yields, and lead-time reduction across the supply base.
• Introduce and implement best-practice Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and advanced quality planning (APQP) methodologies at supplier facilities.
• Manage the qualification and validation process for new suppliers and new product introduction (NPI) processes within existing suppliers.
• Coordinate the FMD program overseeing the development, review, and prioritization of all enterprise requests for supplier development funding.
• Ensure strict supplier compliance with all relevant government regulations, including but not limited to FAR, DFARS, ITAR, CMMC readiness, and anti-corruption laws.
• Collaborate with Engineering to define critical-to-quality (CTQ) features and ensure supplier capabilities meet complex defense specifications and technological roadmaps.
• Lead efforts in supply chain risk mitigation, focusing on single/sole source vulnerabilities, geopolitical risks, and raw material dependency.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a high-performing Supplier Development team.
• Act as the primary liaison between internal stakeholders and external suppliers on strategic development initiatives.
• Manage the budget and resources for all supplier development activities.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Machinery Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees