Director of Supply Chain

Job description

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms. JOB OVERVIEW The Director of Supply Chain leads end-to-end material execution for Saronic’s Franklin, Louisiana facility — the manufacturing site for the Marauder autonomous surface vessel. This role owns the site’s integrated supply chain organization—procurement, supply planning, and materials and warehouse operations—to deliver uninterrupted, on-schedule Marauder production. The Director leads the Franklin supply chain team through the site Supply Chain Manager, drives cost and cash-flow performance through disciplined supplier management, and builds the scalable, transparent operating model required to support the Marauder production ramp in a defense manufacturing environment. RESPONSIBILITIES Production Readiness & Material Execution - Own end-to-end material flow at the Franklin site—planning, procurement, receiving, inventory, kitting, and material movement—to ensure production-critical Marauder materials are available on time and builds are never missed due to material or kitting issues. - Drive achievement of on-time delivery, inventory accuracy, and production schedule adherence targets for the Marauder line. - Establish standardized buffer and safety-stock strategies for A/B components and reduce receiving-to-stock and pick/kitting cycle times at Franklin. - Lead resolution of material shortages, supplier delays, and line-down risks with urgency and clear cross-functional escalation. Cost Efficiency & Cash Flow - Deliver cost savings at or above plan and build a multi-year savings pipeline through category strategies and disciplined commercial execution. - Improve working capital by expanding net payment terms, reducing prepayments, and strengthening contract adherence across the supply base. - Partner with Finance on supply chain budgeting, forecasting, total-cost-of-ownership analysis, and investment cases. Supplier Management & Quality - Manage local supplier performance and continuity for the Marauder supply base, coordinating with central commodity management and supplier quality on segmentation, sourcing strategy, and development. - Support Supplier Business Reviews for critical Franklin suppliers and drive improvement in supplier cost, delivery, quality, and contractual performance. - Reduce supplier-caused non-conformances and ensure timely, effective corrective action (SCAR) closure, in alignment with the Supplier Quality Manual and SQMS. - Ensure all contractual direction to suppliers flows through Supply Chain Management via the PO, SOW, or approved change mechanism, consistent with the SCM Procedure. Scalable, Transparent Operations - Build repeatable, standardized operating models and SOPs for the Franklin supply chain that scale with Marauder volume and align with the broader network. - Establish site-level supply chain visibility, KPIs, and reporting that enable proactive, fact-based decision-making and executive readiness reviews. - Drive continuous improvement in processes, systems, and data integrity across ERP (NetSuite), MES (Armada), PLM (Arena), and SQMS. Leadership & Team Development - Lead and develop the Franklin supply chain organization through the site Supply Chain Manager and team supervisors, spanning procurement, planning, and materials/warehouse operations. - Set clear goals, scorecards, and accountability aligned to the organization’s annual supply chain goals and quarterly KPI targets. - Foster a culture of urgency, ownership, safety, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced production environment. QUALIFICATIONS Required - Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field. - 10+ years of progressive supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment, including procurement, planning, and materials management. - 5+ years of leadership experience managing teams and developing managers. - Demonstrated ability to deliver on-time material readiness, cost savings, and inventory performance during a production ramp. - Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and end-to-end supply chain processes. - Proven cross-functional leadership and the ability to influence executive decision-making. Preferred - Master’s degree (MBA, MS Supply Chain, or similar) and/or professional certification (APICS/CPIM, CPSM, CPM). - Experience in defense, aerospace, marine, or other regulated, high-growth manufacturing environments. - Experience leading or standing up the supply chain operation for a manufacturing site or program. - Familiarity with S&OP/IBP, advanced planning tools, and ITAR/ISO compliance requirements. PHYSICAL DEMANDS - Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer - Occasional standing and walking within the office - Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment - Visual acuity to read screens, documents, and reports - Occasional reaching, bending, or stooping to access file drawers, cabinets, or office supplies - Lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages) KEY COMPETENCIES • End-to-end supply chain and systems perspective • Bias for execution with strong sense of urgency • Financial acumen and total-cost-of-ownership thinking • Supplier relationship and risk management • Team leadership, development, and cross-functional influence • Data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement BENEFITS Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan for employees and 80% for dependents Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company match Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company’s success Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office Saronic CCPA Notice for Candidates and California Employees https://saronic-assets-public.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Saronic%20CCPA%20Notice%20for%20Candidates%20and%20California%20Employees.pdf If this role is based in the United States, it requires access to export-controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a “U.S. Person”: (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/8/1324b. Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.