Supply Chain Manager

Job Title: Supply Chain Manager (Purchasing Management Experience Required)Job Location: Cockeysville, MDSalary: Up to $145k depending on experience

Job Summary

Come join our team! We currently have an exciting Permanent (Direct Hire) opportunity in Cockeysville, MD for a Supply Chain Manager with at least 8+ years of experience in supply change management and 5+ years of purchasing/procurement in a manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or battery production environment.

Job Description

The Supply Chain Manager is responsible for leading end-to-end supply chain operations, including demand planning, procurement, inventory management, production planning, logistics, supplier management, and continuous improvement initiatives.

This role develops and executes supply chain strategies that ensure material availability, optimize inventory levels, reduce total landed costs, and support business growth while maintaining high levels of customer service.

The successful candidate will possess significant Purchasing Manager experience and demonstrate expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier development, contract negotiations, risk mitigation, and cost reduction within a manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Supply Chain Leadership:
• Develop and execute the supply chain strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes to balance demand, capacity, and inventory.
• Ensure continuity of supply and timely delivery of materials required for production.
• Establish and monitor key supply chain performance indicators (KPIs).
• Drive improvements in inventory management, material flow, and supply chain efficiency.
• Develop contingency plans to mitigate supply disruptions and business risks.
• Procurement & Strategic Sourcing:
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives for direct and indirect materials.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing agreements, and supplier performance expectations.
• Manage supplier relationships and conduct regular business reviews.
• Identify and implement cost-reduction opportunities through competitive sourcing, standardization, and supplier collaboration.
• Evaluate supplier risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Ensure compliance with company purchasing policies and regulatory requirements.
• Planning & Inventory Management:
• Oversee demand forecasting, material planning, and inventory control processes.
• Optimize inventory levels while maintaining operational readiness.
• Monitor inventory turns, safety stock levels, and working capital performance.
• Collaborate with production, engineering, quality, and finance teams to support operational goals.
• Logistics & Distribution:
• Manage transportation, warehousing, and distribution activities.
• Improve logistics performance, freight optimization, and transportation costs.
• Ensure compliance with domestic and international shipping regulations.
• Coordinate import/export activities where applicable.
• Team Leadership:
• Lead, mentor, and develop supply chain, planning, purchasing, and logistics personnel.
• Establish performance objectives and conduct regular evaluations.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Support employee training and succession planning initiatives.
• Continuous Improvement:
• Drive Lean, Six Sigma, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Implement digital tools and automation opportunities to improve supply chain visibility and efficiency.
• Lead cross-functional projects focused on productivity, cost reduction, and service improvement.
• Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field is required.
• Master's degree (MBA or Supply Chain discipline) preferred.

Required Experience

8+ years of progressive supply chain experience.

Minimum 5 years of purchasing/procurement management experience.

Experience in manufacturing, industrial, aerospace, defense, automotive, battery, or other complex production environments preferred.

Proven success in supplier negotiations, contract management, and cost reduction programs.

Experience managing teams and cross-functional initiatives.

Technical Skills

• S&OP, MRP, and ERP systems experience (SAP, Oracle, QAD, M3, Microsoft Dynamics, etc.).
• Strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management.
• Inventory optimization and warehouse management.
• Supply chain risk management.
• Financial analysis and total cost of ownership (TCO) evaluation.
• Advanced Excel and data analytics skills.
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
• On-Time Delivery (OTD)
• Supplier On-Time Delivery Performance
• Inventory Turns
• Inventory Accuracy
• Material Availability
• Cost Savings & Cost Avoidance
• Purchase Price Variance (PPV)
• Working Capital Reduction
• Forecast Accuracy
• Supplier Quality Performance (PPM)
• Freight Cost as % of Revenue
• Customer Service Level / OTIFLeadership

Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Negotiation & Influencing
• Business Acumen
• Risk Management
• Change Leadership
• Decision Making
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Accountability and Results Orientation
• Strong Communication

Skills

• Note:
• Must be U.S. Citizen or Green Card Holder - "Must be able to meet ITAR requirements, including US citizenship to be considered for this role."