Supply Chain Category Manager - Machining

At Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (EBAD), we believe that our strengths are built on our most important resource - our people. Join EBAD and you'll be a part of a team who creates cutting edge technology that will blast us into the future. No other company can match the innovative energetic solutions that we provide. At EBAD you will actively contribute to successful missions putting men, women and satellites into space, and protecting our armed service men and women around the world. If this is the culture and work environment you are seeking, then EBAD is the place for you! ​

Job Description

EBAD is seeking a Strategic Supply Chain Category Leader to drive sourcing excellence within our machining category. This role is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies that maximize business value through strong supplier partnerships—ensuring reliable capacity, superior quality, cost optimization, and exceptional responsiveness. The leader will collaborate cross-functionally to align sourcing strategies with business needs, oversee supplier selection and transitions, manage commercial relationships, and ensure full compliance with aerospace and defense regulations.

Responsibilities:

Category Strategy & Ownership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive category strategy for machining (CNC, precision machining, complex metals, exotic materials)
• Define sourcing approaches including make vs. buy, supplier consolidation, and dual sourcing strategies
• Build should-cost models and benchmark pricing across suppliers and regions
• Align category strategy with engineering, manufacturing, and program requirements
• Conduct market research: Monitor industry trends and gather market intelligence to inform category strategies and feed program management and engineering.
• Continuous improvement: Supports devising and implementing EBOS improvement strategies to processes, procedures and project flow in Supply Chain, including supplier kaizens and strategic supplier business reviews.
• Maximize value: Drive supplier sustainability, small business sourcing, and supplier innovation as part of Category strategies.

Supplier Management & Development

• Identify, qualify, and onboard machining suppliers with capabilities in aerospace-grade materials (e.g., titanium, Inconel, aluminum alloys)
• Drive supplier performance across key metrics: OTD, quality (PPM), lead time, and cost competitiveness
• Lead supplier quarterly reviews (SQRs) and performance improvement initiatives, and manage strategic supplier relationships: Foster strong partnerships
• Partner with suppliers on capacity planning, process improvements, and risk mitigation

Technical Sourcing & Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with engineering on design-for-manufacturability (DFM) and cost optimization
• Collaborate with Engineering and Supplier Development engineering in the evaluation of supplier technical capabilities including multi-axis CNC, tight-tolerance machining, and special processes
• Support new product introduction (NPI) by ensuring supplier readiness and capability alignment
• Review technical drawings, specifications, and tolerance requirements to inform sourcing decisions

Cost Management & Negotiation

• Develop & Implement Category Strategies: Create strategies to optimize cost and improve operations aligning with best practices.
• Develop & manage contracts: Create and execute contracts that support category strategies and business requirements (e.g., LTAs, LOIs, MOUs, SMIs); Executes strategic agreements vs daily PO needs handled by Buyers.
• Implement cost reduction initiatives through value engineering, process optimization, and global sourcing
• Utilize clean-sheet and should-cost modeling to validate supplier pricing

Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks including single-source dependencies, geopolitical exposure, and capacity constraints
• Ensure compliance with aerospace and defense regulations (ITAR, FAR/DFARS, AS9100)
• Support audits and ensure suppliers meet all quality and regulatory requirements

Data, Analytics & Automation

• Leverage data analytics to drive sourcing decisions and category insights
• Utilize ERP/MRP and supplier management tools to monitor performance and forecast demand
• Analyze spend data: Utilize data analytics to identify cost-savings opportunities and inform sourcing decisions. 
• Partner with supply chain analytics teams to integrate machining category into PFEP and SIOP frameworks
• Collaborate with the development of dashboards for category performance and risk anticipation
• Understands financial analyses, sets annual pricing with finance, drives positive Purchase Price Variance (PPV), delivers on payment terms goals, helps resolve invoice issues as needed by exception.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Act as the primary point of contact for machining category across procurement, engineering, quality, and operations
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to improve supply chain resilience and scalability
• Mentor buyers and analysts supporting the machining category

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field
• 7–12+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, with strong focus on machining or precision manufacturing
• Deep understanding of machining processes, materials, and tolerances in aerospace applications
• Proven experience negotiating complex supplier agreements and managing global supply bases
• Strong analytical and financial acumen (cost modeling, TCO analysis)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace/defense environments such as vehicle launching, and separation systems, satellites, space, missiles, etc.
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems and special process requirements
• Experience with should-cost modeling tools and advanced analytics (Excel, SQL, Power BI) is a plus.
• Lean/Six Sigma certification
• MBA or advanced engineering degree

Travel Requirements

• 30-50% travel to suppliers and plant locations
• Location: Moorpark California or Simsbury, CT

Compensation:

Salary Range: $150,000 - $190,000 per year. Salary is determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.