Supply Chain Associate Jobs in San Diego, CA
Supply Chain Associate jobs in San Diego are concentrated in the Otay Ranch industrial corridor, Sorrento Valley, and Kearney Mesa, driven by defense contractors, biotech manufacturers, and consumer goods distributors. Employers hiring right now include Northrop Grumman, Illumina, and Rady Children's Hospital. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Description
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.Join a dynamic, customer‑focused team that tackles a wide range of projects across the Sector. Mission Systems Category Management organization has an opening for a Manager, Supply Chain 3 to join our team as a Category Manager.
As a Category Manager, you will act as the bridge between program supply chain management, procurement, supplier performance management (SPM) and strategic sourcing functions. You’ll ensure that tactical requirements are met by your team while driving strategic improvements in supplier performance and capacity. This position can be worked from our NGC facility in Rolling Meadows, IL, Redondo Beach, CA, Woodland Hills, CA, Baltimore/Linthicum, MD, Salt Lake City, UT or San Diego, CA.
Critical Skills
- Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication; confident executive‑level presenter.
- Risk Management: Experience creating and governing risk registers and mitigation plans.
- Strategic Planning: Experience creating and governing risk registers and mitigation plans.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead assigned Category Management Supply Chain Base
- Own end‑to‑end performance for assigned supplier categories.
- Develop, implement, and track recovery and improvement plans that are actionable, measurable, and accountable.
- Cross‑Functional Integration
- Align procurement, supplier performance, strategic sourcing, and engineering teams to resolve programmatic issues.
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Influence superior supplier performance through data‑driven insights and root‑cause analysis.
- Monitor capacity constraints, devise mitigation strategies, and negotiate realistic delivery schedules.
- Risk & Opportunity Management
- Ensures mitigation plans are developed and executed to address any programmatic risks related to suppliers or supply chain execution.
- Collaborate across internal functions and your supply base to identify cost and lead time opportunities.
- Team Development & Enablement
- Ensure team members have the tools, training, and processes needed to manage on‑time delivery, cost control, and strong supplier relationships.
- Mentor and coach direct reports to grow their capabilities and advance their careers.
- Continuous Improvement & Agility
- Champion NG Leadership Behaviors and Values in all interactions.
- Adapt quickly to changing business priorities and maintain a proactive, goal‑oriented mindset.
#MPR
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree and a minimum of 8 years in supply chain or supplier quality roles; or a Masters degree with a minimum of 6 years in supply chain or supplier quality
- 5+ years as a team leader or direct people/project management
- Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle), supply‑chain analytics, and root‑cause problem solving.
- US Citizenship
- Ability to obtain and maintain a secret clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree (MBA, MS in Supply Chain, or related field).
- Experience with advanced analytics tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
- Prior EXPERIENCE to defense or aerospace supply chains.
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Find Supply Chain Associate JobsSupply Chain Associate Job Market in San Diego
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman84

- Illumina42

- Rady Children's Hospital42

- Anduril21

- XLR8 EMS21

Top Industries Hiring
- Medical Devices
- Electronics & Hardware
Supply Chain Associate Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a supply chain associate job in San Diego?
Focus your search on San Diego's defense, biotech, and consumer goods sectors, which generate the most supply chain associate openings locally. Kearney Mesa and Otay Ranch host large distribution and logistics operations, while Sorrento Valley and the Torrey Pines corridor concentrate biotech procurement roles. Candidates with experience in SAP, Oracle, or demand planning tools stand out, as do those familiar with aerospace or FDA-regulated supply chains.
Which companies hire supply chain associates in San Diego?
Employers hiring supply chain associates in San Diego right now include Northrop Grumman, Illumina, and Rady Children's Hospital, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. San Diego's market skews toward defense primes, medical device firms, and regional food and beverage distributors, many of which maintain large procurement and logistics teams locally.
Are there remote supply chain associate jobs in San Diego?
Yes, though opportunities vary significantly by function since hands-on roles in warehousing, receiving, and inventory control require on-site presence. About 43% of supply chain associate openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with most flexibility found in demand planning, vendor coordination, and procurement analytics positions.
How can I get a supply chain associate job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Diego is targeting logistics coordinator or purchasing assistant roles at the region's many mid-size defense subcontractors and medical device companies, which regularly hire candidates with associate degrees or certificates in supply chain management. San Diego State University and Southwestern College both offer supply chain coursework that local employers recognize. Internships with biotech firms in Torrey Pines or distribution centers in Otay Ranch also convert to full-time roles frequently.
Which industries hire the most supply chain associates in San Diego?
The sectors hiring the most supply chain associates in San Diego are Medical Devices and Electronics & Hardware, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. San Diego's strong defense manufacturing base, dense biotech cluster, and active port activity through the National City Marine Terminal all sustain consistent local demand for supply chain talent.
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