Supply Chain Director (Systems)

Position Overview

The Supply Chain Director provides executive leadership for the end-to-end strategic supply chain function in an aerospace organization (e.g., OEM, tier-1 supplier, or MRO provider). This role focuses on developing and executing long-term supply chain strategies that ensure supply continuity, drive significant cost savings, mitigate risks in a highly regulated and complex global environment, and support business growth objectives. The position emphasizes strategic sourcing, major supplier partnerships, complex contract negotiations, commodity strategies, make-vs-buy decisions, and cross-functional alignment with engineering, programs, finance, and executive leadership. Operational logistics execution (warehousing, transportation, daily expediting) is delegated to subordinate teams or separate functions, but will regularly require the Supply Chain Director’s support.

What are your contributions to the team?

• Develop and lead the overall global supply chain strategy aligned with corporate objectives, program roadmaps, financial targets, and aerospace industry dynamics (e.g., certification requirements, long-lead-time parts, geopolitical risks, and aftermarket demands).
• Define and implement commodity and category strategies to achieve lowest total cost of ownership, while maintaining world-class quality, on-time delivery, and supply resilience.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, including identification of new suppliers, rationalization of the supply base, dual-sourcing strategies, and shifting spend to low-cost/regionally appropriate sources where feasible.
• Oversee high-value, complex supplier negotiations and contract development, including long-term agreements, pricing frameworks, risk-sharing provisions, capacity commitments, quality clauses, and intellectual property protections.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key tier-1 and tier-2 suppliers, OEM partners, and subcontractors to ensure collaborative risk management, joint continuous improvement, and alignment on technology roadmaps.
• Direct make-vs-buy analyses and decisions in collaboration with engineering and program teams to optimize vertical integration vs. outsourcing.
• Champion supply chain risk management, including scenario planning for single-source vulnerabilities, raw material shortages, capacity constraints, tariffs, export controls (ITAR/EAR), and disruptions in the aerospace ecosystem.
• Drive cost reduction programs targeting material spend, overhead, and total lifecycle costs through negotiation leverage, value engineering, should-cost modeling, and supplier development initiatives.
• Provide strategic input into new product introduction (NPI), program bids/proposals, and “should-win” strategies, including supply chain elements of customer proposals.
• Lead and develop a high-performing supply chain team focused on strategic procurement, supplier performance management, and sourcing excellence.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) on the supply chain contribution to EBITDA.

How to thrive in this role?

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field required; MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Twelve (12) years or more of progressive supply chain experience, with at least 7 years in aerospace manufacturing or complex engineered products.
• Five (5) years or more in leadership roles with direct responsibility for strategic sourcing, commodity management, and major supplier negotiations.
• Must be fluid in English and in French
• Proven track record of leading multi-million-dollar contract negotiations, long-term agreements, and supplier partnership programs in a regulated industry.
• Deep understanding of aerospace supply chain complexities: long product lifecycles, high-mix/low-volume production, certification flows, and program-based demand patterns.
• Strong strategic mindset with experience translating business objectives into actionable supply chain plans.
• Exceptional negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills across executive, customer, and supplier levels.
• Familiarity should-cost analysis, and digital supply chain tools (ERP, SRM platforms).
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed (supplier visits, negotiations, program reviews).

This role reports to the Senior Director of Supply Chain. It is highly strategic and executive-facing, with heavy emphasis on negotiations, long-range planning, risk mitigation, and cross-functional leadership rather than transactional logistics activities.

Please note: this role requires an on-site presence in Montreal at least three (3) days per week, sometimes more, according to business needs and the applicable policy.