Supply Chain Lead

Expleo•Washington, DC, DC

1d•$68 - $140,000

About The Position

We are growing our network of experienced Supply Chain Leads to support current and upcoming aerospace, defense, aviation, and advanced manufacturing programs. This role is focused on supply chain strategy, strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier development, make-versus-buy analysis, supplier performance management, and production readiness initiatives that ensure operational success across complex manufacturing environments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
Equivalent combination of education and significant supply chain experience may be considered.
10+ years of supply chain, sourcing, procurement, supplier management, or related experience.
Experience supporting aerospace, aviation, defense, or highly regulated manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated experience conducting make-versus-buy analyses and strategic sourcing evaluations.
Experience identifying, qualifying, onboarding, and developing suppliers.
Strong understanding of aerospace supply chain requirements, supplier quality expectations, and production support processes.
Experience managing supplier performance and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management abilities.
Ability to work effectively within a fast-paced, cross-functional manufacturing environment.

Nice To Haves

Direct aerospace OEM, Tier 1 supplier, or aerospace manufacturing experience.
Familiarity with Airbus programs, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or advanced aerospace technologies.
Existing knowledge of Pacific Northwest aerospace and manufacturing supplier networks.
Experience sourcing composites, machined components, electronics, avionics, or aerospace assemblies.
APICS/ASCM, CPSM, CSCP, or related supply chain certifications.
Experience conducting supplier audits and managing qualification processes.
Knowledge of AS9100 quality systems and aerospace regulatory requirements.
Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) and production ramp-up activities.
Experience working with ERP, MRP, or enterprise supply chain management systems.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute supply chain strategies aligned with program, manufacturing, and production objectives.
Lead sourcing, procurement, supplier management, and supply chain risk mitigation activities.
Support production readiness efforts and ensure material availability to meet program schedules and customer commitments.
Monitor supply chain KPIs, supplier performance metrics, and inventory effectiveness.
Identify and implement process improvements that enhance supply chain efficiency, responsiveness, and operational performance.
Drive cross-functional collaboration to support program execution and long-term supply chain excellence.
Lead comprehensive make-versus-buy evaluations for components, assemblies, tooling, and manufacturing processes.
Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Finance, and Program Management teams to evaluate cost, quality, capacity, schedule, and risk considerations.
Develop business cases and recommendations supporting strategic sourcing decisions.
Assess internal manufacturing capabilities versus external supplier solutions.
Drive sourcing strategies that optimize cost, quality, delivery performance, and scalability.
Support long-term manufacturing and supply chain planning initiatives through data-driven decision making.
Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers to support current and future program requirements.
Conduct supplier capability assessments, qualification reviews, audits, and onboarding activities.
Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships that support business objectives.
Collaborate with suppliers to improve quality, delivery, capacity, and cost performance.
Support supplier corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives when performance issues arise.
Ensure suppliers meet aerospace industry standards, customer requirements, and quality expectations.
Partner with internal stakeholders to establish robust supplier development strategies.
Establish supplier scorecards and supplier performance measurement systems.
Monitor supplier KPIs including: On-Time Delivery (OTD), Quality Performance ,Responsiveness, Capacity Management, Cost Competitiveness
Lead supplier business reviews and performance improvement initiatives.
Develop supplier risk assessments and mitigation plans.
Identify and mitigate supply chain risks through proactive planning and supplier diversification strategies.
Drive continuous improvement programs that strengthen supplier reliability and operational performance.
Partner with Engineering and Manufacturing teams to support New Product Introduction (NPI) and production ramp-up activities.
Work closely with Quality teams to ensure supplier compliance with aerospace standards and customer requirements.
Support Program Management in achieving schedule commitments and supply chain readiness objectives.
Communicate supplier performance, sourcing strategies, and risk mitigation plans to leadership teams.
Collaborate across Operations, Production, Quality, and Engineering functions to resolve supply chain issues and improve execution.
Support strategic initiatives that enhance organizational capability and supply chain resilience.