Program Manager, Supply Chain

Please note that this is an on-site position, requiring the selected candidate to work from our Phoenix, AZ, or Grand Rapids, MI, office. This is not a remote role.

About Acron Aviation: 

Acron Aviation is an agile commercial aviation partner with a long heritage of providing established, industry-certified solutions, as well as future-focused, data-driven innovations. With customers worldwide, our employees are dedicated to the company's mission of innovating to create safer skies. For more information, visit

Job Description: 

The Supply Chain Program Manager is responsible for executing programs within the supply chain function. The successful candidate will develop and implement sourcing plans, supplier transition plans, and supplier management plans while ensuring operational service levels are maintained. The role is responsible for leading cross-functional teams in building technical data packages to ready work packages for market competition. A primary objective is to simplify the supply strategy and reduce material costs by implementing projects and negotiations while ensuring product availability. The Supply Chain Program Manager will be responsible for $40-$70 in spend, with a primary focus on subcontracting for electronics circuit cards. Having accountability for driving and implementing Acron Aviation and industry-wide standard practices for electronics manufacturing in the supply base, the Supply Chain Program Manager will ensure the suppliers are on track to meet delivery, quality, and cost requirements.  This role will actively evaluate supplier risk and mitigate, as well as execute recovery plans and lead time reductions in a post-COVID, post-semiconductor shortage world.

Essential Functions:  

• Manage a portfolio of Supply Chain projects to address value creation and productivity objectives for the business.  Accountable for lifecycle project scope, schedule, cost, risk/opportunity, resource utilization and value creation objectives approved in business cases.  

• Create tactical implementation plans and measures utilizing sound project management disciplines for monitoring, measuring, controlling, delivering, and learning throughout the lifecycle of initiatives

• Supply Chain Program Manager drives results measured by proactive supplier performance management, lower management costs, process and service improvements, risk mitigation, and resultant productivity through the supply chain via critical KPIs

• Owns and manages the execution of the category strategy

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally to supplier manufacturing location(s) as needed to identify risks/opportunities related to delivery and quality performance, while driving implementation of lean manufacturing projects and monitoring execution of Acron Aviation products

• Improve working capital through payment term extensions and effective material replenishment strategies such as Vendor Managed Inventory, Consignment, etc

• Owns building category and subject matter expertise/insights and market intelligence to ensure sourcing solutions meet Product Line business needs

• Acts as an escalation point for supplier performance concerns related to the scope of spend

• Leads supplier reviews and communication cadence for weekly and monthly performance communications + quarterly business reviews

• Updates and owns continuous assessment of supplier capabilities and recommends potential new supplier partners

• Performs complex data analysis and ties to financial models (TCO, should cost, supplier scorecards, savings tracking, make vs buy or insource vs outsource decision models)

• Holds suppliers accountable to contract obligations/service levels and business expectations, provides performance feedback, and moves fast to implement continuous improvement projects that develop supplier capabilities 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business, or Engineering; MBA preferred

• 7+ years of related experience in strategic sourcing, commodity management, procurement, or supply chain

• PMP certification or equivalent Program Management certification strongly preferred

• Preference for Certification in Supply Chain Management (CSCP, CPSM, CPIM)

• Preference for aerospace or electronics industry experience

Preferred Additional Skills: 

• Strong communication and collaboration skills: ability to negotiate complex criteria with vendors, present and debate analysis in a flat organization, and lead change through the ability to influence

• Demonstrated knowledge in the areas of circuit card assemblies, electromechanical, electronics, and electronic components, as well as ITAR restrictions and requirements

• Strong business acumen and ability to build a strong business case to support recommendations

• Strong background in developing Statement of Work for suppliers and working knowledge of contractual Terms and Conditions

• Understanding of global economics and ability to use market data/analytics to predict trends

• Demonstrated negotiation skills and demonstrated cost-out accomplishment