Director of Supply Chain

About Forterra

At Forterra, we are unleashing autonomy at scale to transform the battlefield. Our mission is to build the foundational platforms that enable an intelligent ecosystem to coordinate, adapt, and execute with speed and precision even in the uncertainty and disruption of modern conflict. In an era marked by rapid technological change and evolving threats, we design for flexibility, survivability, and operational dominance.

Forterra delivers weapons, sensors, and battlefield effects through integrated autonomous networks reaching operational areas faster, safer, and without placing human lives at risk. Our systems operate with distributed control, dynamic routing, and real-time responsiveness, enabling sustained advantage across complex mission environments.

About the role

We are seeking a Director of Supply Chain to build, lead, and scale a high-performing, execution-focused supply chain organization capable of supporting aggressive production growth, complex government programs, and rapidly evolving technology roadmaps. 

You will own end-to-end supply chain performance: sourcing, procurement, planning, material flow, inventory, external manufacturing, logistics, and supplier quality. You will be accountable for cost, schedule, delivery, resilience, and scalability. When production is at risk, you own the solution. When lead times constrain growth, you remove the constraint. When systems break, you fix them permanently. 

You will operate as a senior leader within Forterra, setting the bar for intensity, ownership, and results. 

What you'll do

Own outcomes across the full supply chain lifecycle 

• Develop and execute Forterra’s supply chain strategy to support rapid production ramp and long-term scale. 

• Ensure uninterrupted supply continuity across domestic and international suppliers. 

• Drive measurable improvements in cost, quality, lead time, and delivery performance. 

Build a resilient, high-performance supplier network 

• Lead global sourcing strategy and supplier selection for critical mechanical, electrical, and software-adjacent components. 

• Negotiate complex commercial agreements that deliver durable cost and performance advantages. 

• Establish rigorous supplier performance management systems with clear KPIs and consequences. 

• Proactively identify and mitigate single-source and geopolitical risks. 

Scale planning, systems, and execution 

• Own integrated business planning (S&OP) and ensure alignment across engineering, production, program management, and finance. 

• Optimize ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite) to drive real-time visibility into supply, demand, and constraints. 

• Optimize material flow systems including warehousing, material handling, and staging/kitting/delivery processes to support production requirements across multiple sites. 

• Implement data-driven forecasting, inventory optimization, and material flow strategies. 

Drive operational excellence 

• Implement structured make/buy and vertical integration analyses. 

• Shorten lead times and eliminate bottlenecks across procurement and logistics. 

• Operate as both strategist and operator: willing to dive deep into supplier negotiations, escalations, and root cause investigations when needed. 

• Create a culture that values urgency, ownership, and measurable impact. 

Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive supply chain leadership experience in advanced manufacturing, robotics, aerospace/defense, automotive, or similarly complex hardware environments. 

• Demonstrated experience scaling supply chain operations during high-growth production ramps. 

• Proven track record of delivering measurable improvements in cost, on-time delivery, inventory performance, and supplier quality. 

• Deep expertise in procurement, global sourcing, material planning, inventory management, and logistics. 

• Experience leading integrated business planning (S&OP) processes. 

• Strong commercial negotiation experience with complex supplier agreements. 

• Executive-level communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional senior leaders. 

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, engineering, business, or related field. 

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or Master’s degree in supply chain, engineering, or related field. 

• Experience supporting defense or autonomous systems programs. 

• Experience operating within regulated or government environments (e.g., DFARS, ITAR, or similar frameworks). 

• ERP implementation or transformation experience (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle). 

• Experience building global supplier networks from the ground up. 

US Salary Range
 $170,000 - $210,000

Location

On-Site in Clarksburg, MD

10-25% Travel Required

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra’s overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.  
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption. 
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires. 
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.

CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. For more information about U.S. Security Clearances: click here.   

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in all personnel practices. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain.  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran and disability status, and criminal history, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Forterra is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

To see Forterra’s candidate data privacy policy, please visit Forterra Legal | Job Applicant Privacy Notice. 

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