Strategic Supply Chain Director
Merlin Labs
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Boston • Massachusetts • United States
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Job Level
About the role
- Lead market surveys and supplier landscape assessments for key commodities and critical components
- Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers to support cost, capacity, technology, and risk objectives
- Maintain deep understanding of supplier markets, including pricing drivers, lead times, geopolitical risks, and capacity constraints
- Proactively identify supply chain risks across quality, delivery, cost, single-source exposure, and geopolitical factors
- Develop and implement mitigation strategies, including dual sourcing, inventory strategies, and contractual protections
- Partner cross-functionally to ensure continuity of supply for critical programs and timelines
- Establish and maintain supplier quality standards, metrics, and review cadences
- Monitor supplier quality performance including schedule and cost, including corrective action management and continuous improvement initiatives
- Actively manage supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, and responsiveness, holding suppliers accountable to commitments
- Translate engineering requirements, specifications, and technical needs into clear supplier surveys, RFQs, and sourcing criteria
- Partner closely with Engineering, Quality, and Manufacturing to ensure suppliers can meet technical, regulatory, and production requirements
- Support make-buy decisions and supplier selection through technical and commercial evaluation
- Own purchase order strategy, including lot sizing, lead-time management, and alignment to production schedules
- Ensure accurate, timely execution of purchase orders and supplier commitments
- Drive improvements in planning accuracy, on-time delivery, and inventory health
- Serve as a key partner to Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and Program Management
- Provide clear communication and visibility into supplier status, risks, and mitigation plans
- Build scalable supply chain processes and tools to support company growth
Requirements
- 10+ years of progressive experience in supply chain, sourcing, or supplier management roles
- Proven experience leading supplier strategy, market surveys, and supplier performance management
- Strong ability to interpret and translate engineering requirements into supplier-ready documentation and evaluation criteria
- Demonstrated success reducing supply chain risk in complex or regulated environments
- Experience managing supplier quality and continuous improvement initiatives
- Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Background in aerospace, manufacturing, hardware, or other technically complex industries
Benefits
- Health, dental, life insurance
- Unlimited vacation
- 401k with match
- On-site perks such as catered lunches, snacks, and beverages
- Professional development opportunities
- Work/life integration
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
supplier managementsupply chain risk managementmarket surveyssupplier performance managementcontinuous improvementnegotiationanalytical skillsproblem-solvingpurchase order strategyinventory management
Soft Skills
communicationcross-functional collaborationleadershipstrategic thinkingaccountability