The Senior Director of Supply Chain and Purchasing is tasked with overseeing global supply chain operations that support both serial production and aftermarket services for all company products. This role is crucial in ensuring material availability, cost efficiency, and supply stability through effective planning, execution, and management of supplier performance.

The Role

In this strategic position, you will act as an integrator between production, engineering, and finance. You will lead the global Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process, manage material and capacity planning, and oversee logistics and distribution networks. Additionally, you will direct all purchasing activities as programs transition from Advanced Purchasing to full production, playing a key role in maintaining manufacturing continuity and optimizing working capital.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement the global supply chain and purchasing strategy post-SOP to ensure continuous production and availability of service parts.
• Lead the global S&OP process to synchronize demand, supply, and financial objectives.
• Develop strategies for capacity and inventory that support stable operations and growth.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to enhance cost, cash flow, and delivery performance.
• Drive data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives across the supply network.
• Direct demand, supply, and inventory planning for manufacturing sites and global distribution centers in the EU, US, and Asia.
• Ensure material readiness and balanced supply plans through integrated planning systems like SAP S/4HANA and Anaplan.
• Manage transitions from product launch to volume production, ensuring a smooth handover of components and suppliers.
• Optimize inventory levels, logistics flows, and production schedules to meet customer demand at the lowest total cost.
• Lead purchasing activities for serial production, focusing on price management, cost reduction, supplier capacity coordination, and contract compliance.
• Develop and implement a commodities management strategy that includes market intelligence, price forecasting, dual-sourcing, and risk mitigation for key materials such as metals, semiconductors, and plastics.
• Maintain strong supplier performance and alignment with Quality and Engineering teams.
• Drive cost control, material availability, and foster long-term supplier relationships for operational reliability.
• Oversee indirect purchasing governance and standardize global Procure-to-Pay (P2P) processes.
• Manage the global logistics network and distribution centers to ensure timely delivery of production and service materials.
• Optimize transportation modes, warehouse utilization, and third-party logistics performance to balance cost and service.
• Ensure compliance with global trade regulations, customs management, and export controls.
• Lead and develop an international team across planning, logistics, and purchasing functions, building capabilities through coaching and performance management.
• Foster collaboration across global Operations, Engineering, Finance, and Service organizations, promoting a culture of accountability, transparency, and data-driven process improvement.