Supply Chain Project Manager

Job Title: Supply Chain Project Manager Position Summary: I am seeking a highly skilled Supply Chain Project Manager for my client. This role is pivotal in managing the purchasing process from cradle to grave, including researching new vendors and suppliers, sourcing, negotiating, and onboarding new suppliers into the system. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in supply chain management and a proven track record in procurement and vendor management. Primary Responsibilities/Duties: Lead the development of sourcing strategies and facilitate negotiations related to new product, project, and value engineering initiatives. Manage the entire purchasing process prior to manufacturing, ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement of materials. Research and evaluate new vendors and suppliers, assessing their capabilities, tooling, part costs, and lead times. Conduct site visits, design guides, and sample evaluations to determine supplier capabilities. Negotiate purchase agreements and contracts, addressing price, delivery, quality, terms, inventory exposure, noncompliance penalties, continuous improvement incentives, and other associated considerations. Onboard new suppliers into the system, ensuring they meet the company's standards and requirements. Develop, prepare, and maintain reporting, tracking, and analysis tools for supply chain-related activities. Coordinate with suppliers and the supply chain team to set up MRP and POs, ensure timely completion of first articles and PPAPs, schedule pilot builds, and encourage advanced planning for creation of standard work, tooling, fixtures, gauges, layout plans, training, and capacity to meet SQDC targets associated with product implementation and ramp plans. Quantify and mitigate supplier risk through analysis of a supplier’s financial health, customer base, raw material supply chain, industry analysis, and geopolitical and natural disaster exposure. Assess total cost of ownership and, combined with the supplier risk assessment, make recommendations for the supply strategy. Analyze and implement inventory strategies that achieve the optimal balance between operational flexibility, manufacturing flow, minimization of working capital requirements, and avoidance of write-offs due to obsolescence. Communicate directly with suppliers on behalf of the team to establish the best possible delivery and cost, while ensuring implementation schedules and specifications are met. Manage assigned supply chain cost reduction projects and champion product value engineering. Develop and maintain professional business relationships with suppliers and internal functions to ensure the company's goals and objectives are met. Skill Requirements: 5 years of supply chain experience, required. Experience with Lean supply chain tools, preferred. Previous MRP/ERP experience, required. Proven presentation skills with the ability to garner buy-in. Track record of direct or indirect leadership experience; ability to motivate teams and clearly communicate expectations. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Excellent organizational skills – ability to multi-task. Self-starter with a desire to succeed; takes initiative. High analytical skills with the ability to quickly review information and identify solutions. Agility and willingness to work in a challenging, fast-paced work environment. Effectively problem solve, prioritize, and follow through on assignments and projects. Education Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Management or Business, or equivalent experience required. CPSM/CSM/CPM or APICS CPIM/CSCP certifications, preferred. Location: Onsite in Albuquerque, NM. Ability to travel up to 30% of the time. Salary: $60k-$80k