Head of Strategic Supply Chain

For our client, we are seeking a Head of Strategic Supply Chain to join the team of a leader in the Aerospace & Defense space. This leader will own global commodity and sourcing strategy for a complex hardware environment, with a focus on cost reduction, resilience, and supplier performance. The role will partner closely with engineering, operations, and executive stakeholders to shape design-for-supply-chain decisions and support New Product Introduction as programs scale from prototype to production. It is a highly strategic leadership position that combines team development, supplier partnership, and enterprise-level negotiation. Location: Costa Mesa, CA - US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available Compensation: $292,000 – $386,000 annually Responsibilities Define and execute global commodity and sourcing strategies to drive cost reduction and supply chain resilience Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of commodity managers and sourcing engineers Serve as the executive sponsor for key Tier 1 suppliers and establish long-term strategic partnerships Partner with cross-functional teams to influence design-for-supply-chain and NPI processes Lead negotiations for master service agreements and long-term supply agreements Identify supply chain vulnerabilities and implement risk mitigation strategies Champion cost modeling and TCO evaluations to optimize value throughout product life cycles Conduct regular strategic reviews with C-suite and executive leadership Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related technical discipline 12+ years in strategic sourcing, global commodity management, or supply chain leadership within complex hardware environments 8+ years leading high-performing procurement or supply chain teams Expertise in negotiating enterprise-level agreements and managing diverse commodity portfolios Experience managing supplier lifecycles and negotiating multi-million-dollar agreements Understanding of New Product Introduction (NPI) workflows and scaling from prototype to production Willingness to travel up to 25%–50% domestically and internationally Benefits Comprehensive, competitive benefits package at little to no cost to employees Support for health, recovery, and future needs Our client is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification—your background could be exactly what this team needs.