INTRODUCTION

Published 06.17.2026
Company: Safran Electronics & Defense
Job field: Supply chain
Location: Rockford, Illinois, United States
Contract type: Permanent
Contract duration: Full-time
Required degree: Bachelor's Degree
Required experience: More than 5 years
Professional status: Employees / Staff
Salary range: $130,000 - $170,000
ITAR: ITAR Controlled position

2026-182205

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Summary

The Manager, Supply Chain & Supplier Performance is responsible for leading and transforming supplier performance across BU responsibility to ensure reliable execution of Quality, Cost, and Delivery (QCD) commitments to customers.

This role establishes the governance, operating system, and execution discipline required to stabilize current supplier-driven backlog challenges, support industrial transfers, and build a robust, scalable supply chain aligned with Safran standards. The Manager leads a team of Supplier Performance Managers and acts as the primary interface between Operations, Programs, and the external supply base to drive sustainable supplier performance improvement.

Essential Job Functions

• Establish and lead the supplier performance management operating system in line with Safran standards
• Own governance of supplier QCD performance, including KPI definition, tracking, and escalation
• Ensure consistent execution of supplier performance reviews and scorecards
• Standardize performance management processes across all sites and programs
• Lead recovery plans for critical suppliers impacting customer delivery and backlog
• Drive cross-functional coordination to resolve supplier constraints
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Supplier Performance Managers
• Support industrial transfers and ensure supplier readiness
• Drive supplier development initiatives (APQP, capacity reviews, maturity assessments)
• Act as primary supply chain interface to Programs, Operations, and Quality leadership
• Exhibit business acumen with limited market knowledge to craft supply chain solutions to meet strategic financial plan objectives.
• Effectively lead cross-functional teams through performance management to meet goals.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Job Requirements

Required Competencies:

Education/Experience - Bachelor's degree in appropriate discipline, or in the absence of a bachelor's degree, six years of related experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Operational knowledge of over 5 years fully in contact with suppliers in a structure such as purchasing, supply chain
• Cross-functional management
• Project management
• SAP Knowledge
• Lean-Sigma Greenbelt Tools

Leadership Skills / Management Skills / Personal Skills

• Change agent
• Communication skills and active listening, ability to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders at operational and executive levels.
• Ability to manage and solve conflicts
• Ability to analyze and synthesize
• Customer Oriented
• Integrity
• Quality Control Analysis
• Time Management and meet deadlines with limited supervision
• Critical Thinking
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to effectively influence and gain consensus
• Effectively make decisions in complex situations and demonstrate flexibility on resolving issues

But what else? (advantages, specific features, etc.)

Travel Specificity - Domestic and international travel up to 60%

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position and occasionally move about the office. Constantly operates and use a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copier/printer. The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information. The ability to observe, identify and assess details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds across office for various needs.

Work Environment

The work environment is in office environment and Suppliers premises which would include exposure to the shop floor environment

Experience in Relevant Business Sector, Aerospace preferred.

COMPANY INFORMATION

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.

Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense offers its customers onboard intelligence solutions allowing them to understand the environment, reduce mental load and guarantee a trajectory, even in critical situations, in all environments: on land, at sea, in the sky or space. The company harnesses the expertise of its 13,000 employees towards these three functions: observe, decide and guide, for the civil and military markets.

LOCATION

4747 Harrison Ave, M/S 298-6 61108
Rockford
Illinois
United States