Supplier Program Manager

X-Bow Systems•Luling, TX

About The Position

X-Bow Systems is seeking a Supplier Program Manager to strategically manage indirect construction contractor relationships across its facilities portfolio. The role owns supplier performance, contract execution, and change order processes, using a proactive, relationship-focused approach to establish controls and governance while preserving project momentum. The position calls for construction contract and project management expertise, supplier development experience, and continuous improvement capabilities in a regulated defense environment. Experience with industrial construction, such as government facilities, oil and gas, or manufacturing, is a plus. The Supplier Program Manager develops supplier engagement and contracting strategies, negotiates and administers construction agreements, and establishes change order governance and performance measurement. The role collaborates with Facilities, Engineering, Program Management, Operations, Quality, EHS, Legal, Contracts, Finance, and Accounting teams to align supplier work with company needs, maintain compliance, manage risks, and improve procurement processes. Travel of up to 50% is required for supplier visits, business reviews, and project site assessments. The position is based in Texas, New Mexico, or Louisiana/Mississippi.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Construction Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related discipline.
At least 6 years of progressive experience in supplier management, procurement, or contract administration, including at least 3 years focused on construction or facilities-related contracts.
Demonstrated experience managing general contractors, understanding construction scopes of work, and negotiating construction contracts.
Proven experience managing change order processes, including evaluation, negotiation, and cost control.
Ability to build and maintain strategic supplier relationships, conduct business reviews, and improve supplier performance.
Project management capability, including leading cross-functional teams, aligning goals and actions, and managing internal team inputs.
Experience negotiating and managing complex service contracts and familiarity with fixed-price, time-and-materials, cost-plus, and IDIQ structures.
Ability to analyze supplier performance data, identify trends, and develop actionable insights.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
Proactive problem-solving, critical-thinking, and independent issue-resolution skills.
Must be a U.S. citizen and able to prove U.S. citizenship.
Ability to travel up to 50% for supplier site visits, business reviews, and project site assessments.

Nice To Haves

Experience with industrial construction, including government facilities, oil and gas, or manufacturing.
Experience in regulated defense or aerospace environments.
Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, and International Trade Compliance requirements.
Experience with ISO 9001, AS9100, or similar quality management systems.
Active security clearance or ability to obtain one.
CPSM, CPSD, CPM, PMP, or similar supply chain or procurement certification.
Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, project management tools, ERP systems, and data visualization platforms.
Understanding of construction industry practices, labor markets, and material supply chains.

Responsibilities

Own business relationships with assigned construction and general contractor suppliers and develop supplier engagement strategies aligned with facility and infrastructure needs.
Conduct business reviews, assess supplier performance and risks, drive continuous improvement, and support proactive capacity planning.
Manage supplier schedules and milestones, track progress, and communicate status to internal stakeholders.
Develop and implement flexible contracting strategies, including MSAs, IDIQ agreements, and task orders, while maintaining cost and schedule control.
Lead construction services contract negotiations and partner with Legal and Contracts teams to develop agreements and standardized templates that meet company policies and strategic needs.
Establish and manage change order governance, early warning systems, evaluation criteria, approval workflows, and document storage processes.
Negotiate change orders and ensure fair pricing, adequate justification, and alignment with project objectives.
Develop metrics and dashboards to track change order trends, root causes, and cost impacts.
Define and monitor contractor KPIs for quality, schedule, safety, and cost; conduct scorecarding and assessments and implement corrective action plans.
Identify supplier capability gaps and drive improvement through training, process enhancements, or supplier development programs.
Manage supplier audits and assessments to verify quality, safety, and security compliance.
Coordinate with Facilities, Engineering, Program Management, Operations, Quality, EHS, Finance, and Accounting to align requirements, resolve invoice discrepancies, track spend, and support budgets.
Provide leadership with status updates, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies.
Identify and mitigate supplier risks, including capacity constraints, financial instability, quality problems, and compliance gaps.
Ensure contractor compliance with security requirements, export controls, and facility access protocols.
Monitor construction market conditions, labor availability, and material cost trends; develop contingency plans and alternate sourcing strategies.
Streamline contractor management processes, reduce cycle times, and improve cost effectiveness.
Implement construction procurement best practices, including prequalification, preferred supplier frameworks, and standardized scopes of work.
Use data analytics to identify trends, benchmark performance, and support evidence-based decisions; champion digital tools that improve supplier collaboration and visibility.