Director, Supply Chain

USA Rare Earth, LLC•Stillwater, OK

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Supply Chain is responsible for leading and optimizing all aspects of the company’s end-to-end supply chain operations across procurement, sourcing, planning, inventory management, logistics, warehousing, and distribution. Reporting to executive leadership, this role partners closely with Sales, Operations, Commercial Planning, Finance, and Manufacturing teams to align supply chain strategies with business objectives, customer demand, and operational capacity. This leader will drive cross-functional collaboration through the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, support commercial growth initiatives, and ensure ERP systems are effectively leveraged to improve visibility, forecasting accuracy, inventory optimization, and operational execution. The Director of Supply Chain is responsible for building scalable processes, improving service levels, reducing costs, mitigating supply risk, and leading continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field required.
APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP) preferred.
Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in supply chain, procurement, logistics, or operations management.
Minimum of 3–5 years of leadership experience managing supply chain teams and cross-functional operations.
Experience in manufacturing, distribution, or industrial environments preferred.
Strong proficiency with ERP systems such as Microsoft Business Central, SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics F&O.
Advanced Microsoft Excel and data analysis skills required.
Experience with MRP systems, forecasting tools, and warehouse management systems (WMS) preferred.
Strong knowledge of supply chain operations including procurement, inventory management, logistics, warehousing, forecasting, and production planning.
Advanced understanding of Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), demand planning, and commercial planning processes.
Strong ERP, MRP, and WMS systems knowledge with experience leveraging technology to improve operational performance and cross-functional collaboration.
Ability to collaborate effectively with Sales, Operations, Manufacturing, Finance, and Commercial teams to align supply chain execution with business goals.
Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and vendor management capabilities.
Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, contracts, inventory investments, and cost-reduction initiatives.
Ability to lead organizational change and continuous improvement initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and operational excellence methodologies preferred.
Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of operational execution and customer service.

Nice To Haves

APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP) preferred.
Experience in manufacturing, distribution, or industrial environments preferred.
Experience with MRP systems, forecasting tools, and warehouse management systems (WMS) preferred.
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and operational excellence methodologies preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead day-to-day supply chain operations including procurement, production planning, inventory management, warehousing, transportation, and logistics.
Translate executive supply chain strategy into tactical execution plans, measurable objectives, and operational priorities.
Develop and implement operational policies, procedures, and performance standards that improve efficiency, consistency, and compliance.
Establish, monitor, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) related to inventory, service levels, supplier performance, logistics, and operational efficiency.
Provide leadership with insights and recommendations related to supply chain performance, market conditions, risk mitigation, and operational opportunities.
Partner closely with Operations, Manufacturing, and Commercial teams to ensure alignment between customer demand, production capacity, and supply availability.
Drive ERP system optimization and cross-functional process integration to improve planning accuracy, inventory visibility, reporting capabilities, and operational decision-making.
Collaborate with IT, Finance, Sales, and Operations teams to maximize ERP, MRP, and WMS system functionality and data integrity.
Lead and facilitate the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process in collaboration with Sales, Commercial Planning, Finance, Manufacturing, and Operations teams.
Partner with Sales and Commercial Planning to align demand forecasts, promotional activities, customer growth initiatives, and inventory strategies with operational capabilities.
Support business growth initiatives through proactive supply planning, capacity analysis, and inventory readiness.
Serve as a strategic liaison between Supply Chain, Sales, Operations, and Finance to ensure organizational alignment and execution of business objectives.
Collaborate with customer-facing teams to improve service levels, order fulfillment, and responsiveness to changing market conditions.
Develop and oversee strategic sourcing and procurement initiatives to ensure the cost-effective acquisition of materials, products, and services.
Identify, evaluate, and qualify primary and secondary suppliers to ensure continuity of supply and mitigate operational risk.
Negotiate pricing, contracts, service level agreements (SLAs), and commercial terms with suppliers, freight providers, and third-party logistics partners.
Build and maintain strong strategic relationships with key vendors and suppliers.
Monitor supplier performance through scorecards, business reviews, and corrective action processes.
Lead vendor management initiatives focused on quality improvement, cost savings, service reliability, and risk reduction.
Oversee forecasting, demand planning, inventory management, and replenishment strategies to support customer demand and operational efficiency.
Maintain optimal inventory levels while minimizing excess inventory, carrying costs, and obsolescence.
Ensure high inventory accuracy through cycle counts, physical inventories, and ERP/WMS controls.
Implement advanced forecasting and inventory planning methodologies to improve inventory turnover and reduce stockouts.
Collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Operations to align demand planning with supply chain capabilities and business priorities.
Direct domestic and global logistics, transportation, warehousing, and distribution operations.
Ensure efficient and cost-effective shipping, routing, freight management, and warehouse operations.
Oversee receiving, storage, picking, packing, shipping, and reverse logistics processes.
Manage relationships and performance expectations for third-party logistics providers (3PLs), carriers, and freight forwarders.
Ensure compliance with international trade regulations, customs requirements, and environmental standards.
Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing supply chain organization.
Hire, train, coach, and evaluate procurement, logistics, planning, and inventory management personnel.
Establish clear performance expectations, accountability measures, and development plans for team members.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, and operational excellence methodologies.
Identify process inefficiencies and implement scalable solutions that improve productivity, visibility, and customer service.
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous learning across the supply chain organization.