Supply Chain Specialist III

About the Role

The Supply Chain Specialist III is a senior individual contributor responsible for coordinating material readiness across Supply Chain, Material Planning, Purchasing, MP&L, Shipping & Receiving, Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Program Management. This role serves as the primary operational bridge between the Supply Chain Manager, Material Planner, Buyers, MP&L, and Shipping & Receiving, ensuring material requirements, supplier commitments, shortages, inventory, and production priorities remain aligned. The Supply Chain Specialist III drives visibility, accountability, and resolution of material constraints before they impact production or customer delivery.

Responsibilities

• Material Readiness & Execution
  • Maintain the consolidated material-readiness view supporting the Master Production Schedule.
  • Coordinate daily priorities across Planning, Purchasing, MP&L, Shipping & Receiving, Quality, and Manufacturing.
  • Lead shortage and material-readiness reviews.
  • Identify material risks and drive recovery actions to closure.
  • Escalate unresolved constraints to Supply Chain leadership.
• Supplier & Purchasing Coordination
  • Partner with Buyers to monitor supplier commitments, past-due orders, expedites, and recovery plans.
  • Support supplier communication regarding priorities, shortages, delivery risks, and production changes.
  • Support supplier performance, capacity, and long-lead material reviews.
  • Assist with sourcing and supplier transition activities as required.
• MRP / ERP & Planning
  • Work with the Material Planner to ensure MRP requirements align with production demand.
  • Review shortages, exception messages, planned orders, inventory, and material availability.
  • Identify and resolve planning or transactional issues affecting material flow.
  • Support effective use of Deltek Costpoint and related MRP/ERP systems.
• MP&L / Inventory / Shipping & Receiving
  • Coordinate material staging, kitting, inventory availability, and production priorities.
  • Support inventory accuracy, cycle counting, and discrepancy resolution.
  • Monitor critical inbound material through receiving and inspection.
  • Coordinate priority receipts, supplier returns, intercompany transfers, and expedited shipments.
  • Ensure material moves quickly from receipt to production availability.
• Production & Program Support
  • Serve as a primary Supply Chain interface for manufacturing material issues.
  • Participate in MPS, production, program, and shortage reviews.
  • Translate production priorities into Supply Chain execution priorities.
  • Provide accurate material status, risks, and recovery plans to Operations and Program Management.
• Metrics & Continuous Improvement
  • Monitor and improve key Supply Chain metrics including:
    • Material readiness to MPS
    • Supplier On-Time Delivery
    • Past-due purchase orders
    • Critical shortages and aging
    • Inventory accuracy
    • Material holds / MRB
    • Receiving cycle time
    • Supplier recovery status
  • Identify recurring constraints and implement improvements to planning, purchasing, receiving, inventory, kitting, and material flow.
• Compliance
  • Support compliance with company procedures, AS9100D, FAR/DFARS, ITAR/EAR, customer, and contractual requirements.
  • Maintain appropriate procurement, supplier, material, and traceability records.
  • Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, Engineering, Logistics, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in supply chain, materials, purchasing, production control, or manufacturing operations.
• Manufacturing experience required; aerospace, defense, automotive, or regulated manufacturing preferred.
• Experience coordinating planning, purchasing, suppliers, inventory, and production activities.

Skills

• Strong understanding of manufacturing supply chain and material flow.
• Strong MRP/ERP and material-planning knowledge.
• Ability to interpret BOMs, schedules, purchase orders, and inventory requirements.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to drive accountability without direct authority.
• Strong communication and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and reporting capability.
• Ability to identify risks early and drive corrective actions.

Preferred Experience

• Deltek Costpoint
• Aerospace / defense manufacturing
• FAR/DFARS and AS9100
• APICS/ASCM certification
• Lean / Six Sigma
• Power BI or Cognos
• Production ramp-up experience

Work Environment

• Office, warehouse, and manufacturing environments.
• Frequent interaction with shop floor, inventory, and suppliers.
• May require extended hours during shortages, recovery efforts, or production surges.
• Ability to walk, stand, and perform on-site assessments.
• May be required to lift materials, components, or packages up to 40 lbs.

Travel Requirements

0–20% as required to support suppliers, audits, customer visits, or other Kratos locations.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement