General information

Entity

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's ""World's Best Companies 2025"" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense is an international company with more than 19,000 employees who bring together expertise and team spirit to design high-technology solutions for the aerospace, defense and space sectors. By combining human and technological intelligence, the company develops products and services for both civil and military customers, operating on land, at sea, in the air and in space.  

Reference number

2026-190172  

Job details

Domain

Production

Job field / Job profile

Supply chain - Supply chain manager

Job title

North America Director, Supply Chain

Employment type

Permanent

Professional category

Professional, Engineer & Manager

Part time / Full time

Full-time

Job description

The Safran Electronics & Defense North America Senior Manager of Supply Chain will provide dedicated leadership support to strengthen, structure, and mature the Supply Chain organization for the SED Actuation Rockford perimeter, with priority focus on correcting and implementing effective SIOP, supplier performance, planning, and governance processes.

Following its acquisition in 2025, Safran Electronics & Defense Actuation North America is establishing standalone supply chain management capabilities to support its long-term operational and strategic objectives. This role will play a key part in defining and developing the scope, organizational structure, and operating model for the Actuation GBU's North American Supply Chain organization. Building upon existing Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP), Procurement, and Supplier Performance functions, the successful candidate will help establish a fully integrated, scalable, and operationally robust supply chain organization.

Another key objective of the role will be to identify and develop synergies between SED Actuation and SED Avionics in North America, including process alignment, shared governance, common tools, resource optimization, supplier management practices, and opportunities for improved coordination across the regional supply chain footprint.

Key Responsibilities
1. SIOP Process Correction and Implementation
• Assess current SIOP maturity and identify immediate gaps.
• Define and implement a structured SIOP cadence, including demand review, supply review, reconciliation, and executive decision-making.
• Clarify the connection between customer demand, backlog, supplier constraints, capacity, inventory, and revenue forecast.
• Establish standard SIOP inputs, outputs, owners, and escalation rules.
• Ensure the SIOP process supports both OE and Aftermarket needs.
• Improve visibility of risks, opportunities, constraints, and decision points.
2. Supply Chain Governance and Performance Management
• Define the weekly and monthly Supply Chain operating cadence.
• Establish performance metrics and dashboards for Supply Chain execution.
• Implement structured follow-up for supplier commitments, shipment adherence, recovery plans, arrears, shortages, and past-due items.
• Create clear escalation paths for critical supplier or material risks.
• Support disciplined action tracking with owners, due dates, aging, and closure status.
• Ensure performance reporting is suitable for site leadership, business line leadership, and customer-facing reviews where applicable.
3. Supplier Performance and Risk Management
• Strengthen supplier performance management routines for critical suppliers.
• Support prioritization of suppliers based on customer impact, arrears, risk, and recovery needs.
• Establish standard supplier recovery templates and governance.
• Ensure supplier commitments are tracked, challenged, and escalated when not met.

But what else? (advantages, specificities, etc.)

Success in the role will be measured by the ability to establish structure, improve visibility, and create sustainable execution discipline. Key indicators may include:
• SIOP cadence implemented and operating with clear inputs, outputs, and decision points.
• Improved visibility of demand, supply risks, shortages, arrears, and supplier recovery status.
• Improved supplier commitment adherence and action closure discipline.
• Clear ownership and escalation paths across Supply Chain, Procurement, SPM, Program, Quality, Engineering, and Operations.
• Long-term Rockford Supply Chain organization defined and validated.
• Reduction in reactive / ad hoc issue management.
• Improved leadership visibility of supply chain risks and recovery actions.
• Regional SED North America Supply Chain antenna concept defined and reviewed.
• Synergy opportunities between Actuation and Avionics identified and prioritized.

Candidate skills & requirements

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Engineering, Business, or related field (Master's preferred).
Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in supply chain management, SIOP (Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning), or related disciplines within a manufacturing or aerospace environment.
Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional transformation initiatives, preferably within a complex, global organization.
Experience with supplier management, risk and performance metrics, and escalation management.
Previous experience working with both OE (Original Equipment) and Aftermarket supply chain activities is an advantage.

Technical Skills:

Deep understanding of SIOP processes and best practices (including demand and supply planning, executive SIOP, and reconciliation).
Strong knowledge of supply chain performance management and governance.
Familiarity with supplier recovery processes and developing performance dashboards (Power BI or similar tools preferred).
Proficient in ERP systems (SAP experience is a plus) and supply chain analytics.
Data-driven with proven ability to synthesize complex information, identify gaps, and drive actionable solutions.

Leadership Behaviors
The role requires a hands-on transformation leader who can operate with urgency while building sustainable processes. Expected leadership behaviors include:
• Strong ownership and accountability.
• Ability to create structure in an immature and transforming organization.
• Practical, action-oriented problem solving.
• Strong cross-functional leadership.
• Strong process discipline and follow-through.
• Ability to balance short-term recovery needs with long-term organization development.
• Collaborative mindset across business units, including Actuation and Avionics.
• Ability to develop people, clarify expectations, and build team maturity.

The salary range for this position is based on experience, qualifications, and market practices. Actual compensation offered will be determined by a variety of factors, including education, skills, relevant experience, business needs, and location.

Safran is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices in accordance with applicable law.

Annual salary

$180,000- $235,000 annually

Job location

Job location

North America, United States, Illinois

City (-ies)

Applicant criteria

Minimum education level achieved

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum experience level required

More than 8 years

ITAR Controlled Position: Select "Yes" if role requires U.S. citizenship/permanent residency

Yes

Requesting party

Number of position(s)

1