Overview
Position: Director of Supply Chain – OEM Manufacturing. Location: Itasca, IL – Onsite. Salary: Starting at $135k base. Reports to: VP of Operations. Budget Responsibility: $40–50M annual spend. Team: 5 Buyers, 1 Expeditor, 4-Member Processing Team. Travel: Minimal.
Company Overview
Our client is a recognized global leader in asphalt shingle and waterproofing membrane production equipment, offering automated, high-speed systems tailored to the needs of the asphalt roofing industry. With a reputation for quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, they design and manufacture complex capital equipment for customers worldwide.
Position Overview
The Director of Supply Chain will lead all aspects of procurement, vendor management, and logistics for the Asphalt Roofing Equipment Business Unit. This is a highly complex OEM manufacturing environment with 1,000+ line-item builds per project. The role requires both strategic vision and hands-on leadership to optimize processes, mentor a growing team, and ensure on-time, cost-effective delivery of critical components and assemblies. You will oversee a team of buyers, an expeditor, and a processing group responsible for determining in-house vs. outsourced fabrication, while also managing shipping, receiving, and oversized freight coordination for large-scale machinery.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the full spectrum of supply chain activities, including purchasing, expediting, in-house vs. outsourced fabrication, and logistics operations.
- Lead and manage a team of 10, including 5 buyers, 1 expeditor, and 4 processing specialists.
- Build, coach, and mentor a developing procurement team—establishing standardized processes, implementing key performance metrics, and enhancing supplier engagement.
- Manage sourcing and procurement of key materials and components, including motors, conveyors, steel, aluminum, fabricated metal parts, and outsourced services such as machining, heat treating, chroming, and polyurethane processing.
- Partner with engineering to review Bills of Materials (BOMs) and make strategic decisions on internal versus external manufacturing.
- Evaluate and improve vendor performance using scorecards, KPIs, and continuous improvement tools.
- Direct shipping and receiving functions for large and oversized freight, ensuring regulatory compliance and optimizing cost.
- Support ISO certification processes by aligning procurement and quality systems with ISO standards across R&D and RDI teams.
- Manage an annual procurement spend of $40–50M across both capital equipment and consumables.
- Expand the supplier network by identifying and onboarding new vendors, including those from personal industry contacts.
- Ensure timely procurement and delivery of materials to meet demanding production schedules for highly customized equipment builds.
Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience in supply chain, procurement, or operations leadership within an OEM or custom manufacturing environment.
- Deep knowledge of sourcing fabricated components, parts, and assemblies from industrial and machine shop vendors.
- Proven success in managing high-complexity, multi-line custom equipment or capital machinery builds.
- Strong background in logistics, including handling of oversized and international freight shipments.
- Demonstrated ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing teams in a fast-paced production environment.
- Familiarity with ISO standards and participation in ISO certification initiatives is preferred.
- Well-established supplier network with the ability to introduce new vendors and improve procurement flexibility.
- Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems and the Microsoft Office Suite.
- Exceptional negotiation, communication, and leadership capabilities.
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
Key Success Metrics (First 6–12 Months)
- Develop a deep understanding of the business model, product complexity, and current vendor landscape.
- Implement improved process controls and measurable performance metrics across the supply chain function.
- Stabilize and mentor the existing purchasing team, introducing consistent procedures and best practices.
- Actively contribute to ISO certification efforts by aligning procurement processes with quality standards.
- Strengthen and expand supplier relationships, including onboarding strategic vendors currently outside the R&D supplier base.