Vice President of Global Supply Chain

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

 

Job Profile Summary 

The Vice President, Global Supply Chain is responsible for developing and executing AeroVironment’s global, endtoend supply chain strategy to mitigate risk, enable scalable production, and support strong financial and operational performance. This role leads the Global Supply Chain organization—including Supplier Quality and Development, Purchasing, Subcontracts, Strategic Sourcing, Supply Chain Compliance, and the Small Business Liaison function—and ensures that supply chain practices are resilient, efficient, and aligned with AeroVironment’s objectives in both government and commercial markets.  

The Vice President oversees global supply chain systems and processes, including ERP, supply chain management, and procurement tools, while ensuring compliance with applicable aerospace and defense regulations (e.g., FAR, DFARS, NDAA, CPSR, ITAR) and relevant commercial, ethical sourcing, and industry standards. Reporting into the Global Operations organization, this leader partners closely with formal Global Operations teaming structures to drive common standards, tools, and best practices across the enterprise, supporting the company’s position as a leading aerospace and defense innovator.  

This summary adapts and extends the existing Vice President, Global Supply Chain job profile to encompass broader supply chain ownership and both government and commercial markets.  

Key Responsibilities 

Strategy, Systems, and Process Optimization 

• Develop and execute a comprehensive global supply chain strategy that mitigates risk, supports production scaling, and improves cost, quality, and delivery performance across all lines of business.  

• Develop and execute a strategic roadmap for global supply chain and operations systems, ensuring alignment with aerospace and defense standards and best practices used in commercial manufacturing and technology enterprises.  

• Oversee the implementation and optimization of enterprise resource planning Oracle Fusion and other IT systems to support cost, quality, delivery, and compliance objectives across global operations.  

• Continuously assess the internal and external environment and enhance operational workflows to meet regulatory requirements, mitigate risks, and drive efficiencies, while improving responsiveness and business’ ability to scale to support our customers in both government and commercial markets.  

• Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to supply chain performance, operations systems, procurement, and compliance (including CPSR adherence), and extend KPI focus to commercial metrics such as cost competitiveness, lead time, ontime delivery, and supplier innovation. 

Purchasing, Compliance, and Risk Management 

• Establish, implement, and enforce global purchasing policies that align with FAR, DFARS, NDAA, CPSR, ITAR, and other applicable regulatory requirements, while incorporating commercial best practices in sourcing, contracting, and supplier risk management.  

• Oversee all aspects of CPSR compliance, including developing, documenting, and maintaining purchasing policies and practices that meet government auditing standards, and integrate these with scalable governance suitable for commercial customers and partners.  

• Ensure compliance with NDAA Section 889 and other relevant restrictions, verifying that suppliers and subcontractors meet requirements related to prohibited equipment and services.  

• Conduct regular reviews and audits of procurement processes to maintain compliance with government regulations and commercial standards, proactively addressing potential findings, supply risk, and process or performance gaps.  

• Implement monitoring systems and analytics to track supplier adherence to regulatory and commercial requirements, addressing deficiencies proactively to mitigate risks. 

Supplier, Subcontractor, and Supply Base Management 

• Lead Purchasing, Subcontracts, Strategic Sourcing, and Supplier Quality & Development to ensure highquality, ontime, and costeffective supply in support of programs and production.  

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and subcontractors, ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements while driving performance in quality, delivery, innovation, and total cost of ownership.  

• Develop category and commodity strategies, including dualsourcing and regional diversification, to improve resilience, cost structure, and responsiveness.  

• Direct Supplier Quality and Development activities, including supplier qualification, onboarding, audits, performance management, and corrective actions for critical and highrisk suppliers.  

• Partner with Engineering and Operations to support new product introduction and design changes, including Design for Manufacturability and supplier capability rampup.  

• Incorporate compliance and performance checks into vendor onboarding, contract negotiations, and supplier performance evaluations, balancing regulatory, commercial, and strategic considerations. 

Small Business and Socioeconomic Objectives 

• Lead and oversee the Small Business Liaison function within Global Supply Chain, ensuring small business, disadvantaged, veteranowned, and other socioeconomic objectives are integrated into sourcing and subcontracting strategies, consistent with customer and regulatory requirements.  

• Ensure that small business and socioeconomic goals are planned, measured, and met through supplier selection, subcontracting plans, and reporting. 

Leadership, Governance, and Stakeholder Alignment 

• Build and lead highperforming teams across Supplier Quality and Development, Purchasing, Subcontracts, Strategic Sourcing, Supply Chain Compliance, and the Small Business Liaison function, with expertise in both government contracting and commercial supply chain management.  

• Partner with Global Operations, Finance, Legal, IT, Engineering, Quality, and Program Management to align supply chain strategies, systems, and investments with program, financial, and regulatory goals.  

• Coordinate with global operations excellence and implementation teams to ensure consistent deployment, use, and sustainment of global standards, tools, and processes across the organization.  

• Provide regular updates to senior leadership on CPSR status, regulatory compliance, procurement performance, and broader supply chain health, opportunities, and risks.  

• Train and educate internal teams and suppliers on CPSR, NDAA, and ITAR requirements, as well as on best practices for commercial contracting, ethical sourcing, and operational excellence. 

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills and Experience) 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Aerospace Engineering, Finance, or a related field.  

• 15+ years of relevant experience in global operations, supply chain, or procurement, preferably within the aerospace and defense sector and/or complex industrial or technology markets.  

• 10–15 years of leadership experience in global operations, supply chain, or compliance, with a track record of building and leading multidisciplinary, highperforming teams.  

• Proven expertise in CPSR, FAR, DFARS, NDAA, and ITAR compliance, with a successful track record of navigating government audits and ensuring regulatory adherence.  

• Extensive experience with ERP and procurement systems (such as SAP, Oracle, or equivalent) tailored to aerospace and defense or comparable complex environments.  

• Strong understanding of Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA), and government contract reporting requirements, with demonstrated ability to integrate these into commercially competitive supply chain practices. 

Other Qualifications and Desired Competencies 

• MBA or advanced degree in a relevant field (preferred).  

• Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM) or Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) preferred.  

• Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) or Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) preferred.  

• Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing certification preferred.  

• Indepth knowledge of aerospace and defense industry supply chain and compliance requirements, including CPSR and NDAA Section 889, with familiarity in commercial supply chain models and benchmarks.  

• Exceptional leadership and team management skills, with experience building and leading multidisciplinary teams.  

• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problemsolving capabilities.  

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization.  

• Expertise in managing largescale, complex projects in highly regulated and competitive environments. 

Physical Demands and Work Environment 

• Ability to sit, stand, stoop, reach, lift (up to 10 lbs.), bend, and perform typical office physical activities; hand and wrist dexterity to utilize a computer.  

• Work is primarily in an office environment, climate controlled through central heating and air conditioning.  

• May require travel within the continental U.S. and internationally to company and supplier sites, as well as to program and special functions. 

Special Requirements 

• U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).  

• Must be able to travel within the Continental U.S. and internationally when required. 

Clearance Level

 

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:

$245,500 - $393,000

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits:  AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.  For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit:  http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply.  NO agencies please.

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or a person approved for an export license from the appropriate governing agency.