Global Supply Chain Sr. Director

Northrop Grumman, Launch and Missile Defense Systems Division, is currently seeking a Sr. Director of Global Supply Chain to provide strategic leadership across the division in all areas of supply chain management.

This position is located in Chandler, Arizona and will provide support throughout major LMDS locations. 

Role Description & Responsibilities: 

The Sr. Director of Global Supply Chain reports directly to the Vice President General Manager for LMDS and dotted line to the Vice President Supply Chain for Space Sector. The selected candidate will be a high performing, experienced supply chain leader who is goal-oriented and well equipped to partner with a wide range of internal stakeholders to support corporate, sector, and division objectives, including program performance and business growth. To do this, they will leverage a solid understanding of the Northrop Grumman supply chain and be knowledgeable in the engineering, contracts, manufacturing, and mission excellence areas and how they impact delivery of supply chain materials and services. The selected candidate will have a proven ability to engage with suppliers to resolve schedule and quality issues, contracts, negotiate pricing, etc., as well as strong knowledge in compliance areas. 

Major Responsibilities:   

• Responsible and accountable for the strategy, planning, and execution of all direct and indirect material and services required to support LMDS programs. 

• Develops the long term supply chain strategy aligned to Sector strategy inclusive of  specific actions to execute this strategy. This will include organization structure, talent development, robust processes, lean initiatives and checks and balances to ensure systemic root cause and corrective actions are implemented across the division.  

• Develop, train, retain an excellent team of supply chain professionals across the division through excellent leadership, team building, career opportunities and a culture of respect and belonging. 

• Ownership of the supply chain through all processes in the business including strategy, investments, bids and proposals and through development, qualification and execution of our programs.  

• Supports the business and coordinates cross functionally and across the sector / enterprise to ensure that all supply chain commitments are met (quality material is provided on time and on cost), and that appropriate mitigation plans are developed and executed to address any programmatic risks related to suppliers. 

• Develops and executes a major subcontract strategy and strategic make/buy decisions to support our strategy and growth. 

• Executes a supplier relationship strategy leveraging the appropriate levels of leadership across the division, aligned with sectors’ strategy, to escalate and help manage our suppliers effectively at all levels of the business. 

• Support achievement of division financial commitments through accuracy of bids, Estimates at Completion, EVMS requirements / budget attainment, operating forecasts, etc.   Develops robust systemic return to green action plans for misses.  

• Ensures that prior to program execution, all elements of the proposed program(s) plans have complete and accurate schedules, budgets, make/buy plans, and procurement and subcontracts strategies. 

• Leads supply chain program execution and is accountable for resource planning, material cost, forecasting, schedule performance, risk/opportunity management, supplier performance, and supply chain issue resolution. 

• Drive continuous improvements in supply chain related processes via collaboration with Sector, Enterprise and other division functions and programs. 

• Ensure compliance with the wide range of regulatory and other requirements and achieve supplier diversity requirements. 

• Leverage and engage in Sector and Enterprise GSC initiatives to optimize supplier management and achieve employee development (Risk Management, Enterprise Supplier Alignment, 1ERP, Global Supplier Diversity, Compliance Shared Services, and Talent Development). 

• Collaborate with manufacturing, mission assurance, and engineering to ensure successful delivery of material and subcontracted items. 

Education and Experience Requirements:   

• 9+ years experience in supply chain, business management, manufacturing, engineering or other related experience.  Or a Master’s degree with a minimum of 7+ years of applicable experience in supply chain, business management, engineering or other related experience. 

• Minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience 

• Must have a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Top Secret security clearance (or ability to obtain one quickly). 

• Strong leadership, communication, strategic thinking, change management, and analytical skills 

• Ability to influence without direct authority 

• Experience with specific regulations and compliance practices governing defense contractor supply chain activities (e.g., FAR, DFARS, ITAR, other) 

• Must be able to travel as required (up to 25% of the time) 

Preferred Skills & Qualifications:  

• Significant experience in managing a broad range of suppliers and major subcontractors including providers of complex components/assemblies, services, and commodities 

• Experience with DCMA and programs in support of Department of Defense Customers, inclusive of the US Air Force, Navy, and Army 

• Advanced education and evidence of professional development (e.g., CPPM, C.P.M, CSCP, JD, etc.) 

• Training and/or accreditation in some combination of Agile, Continuous Improvement, Lean, or Six Sigma Black belt 

• Experience in partnering with suppliers to implement Digital Transformation strategies throughout the supply base. 

• Experience in working with capture teams in developing and submitting competitive and compliant major proposals, including teaming strategies and complex Bill of Material strategies 

• Experience with a broad range of supply chain issues including risk management, terms and conditions, negotiations, contract types (fixed price and cost type), and post award management 

• Knowledge and application of supply chain best practices and continuous improvement activities 

• Strong communication skills with the ability to lead, influence, and collaborate with a diverse set of stakeholders 

• Proficiency using MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). 

• Sound knowledge of metrics, performance tracking, and data integrity