L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.
L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.
Director, Supply Chain
Reference #38659
Waterdown, Ontario
Key Responsibilities
1. Supply Chain Strategy & Governance
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Define, lead, and maintain enterprise-wide supply chain strategies aligned with business objectives, financial targets, and long-term growth plans.
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Direct and coordinate both day-to-day operations and long-term strategic initiatives across Procurement, Inventory, Logistics, and Subcontract Management.
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Ensure all supply chain objectives, policies, and initiatives align with corporate strategy, compliance requirements, and budgetary commitments.
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Actively participate as a member of the Sector Leadership Team and Supply Chain Functional Leadership Team, contributing to enterprise strategy development and execution.
2. Procurement, Sourcing & Supplier Management
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Establish, communicate, and govern procurement policies, standards, and procedures in alignment with legal, regulatory, and internal compliance requirements.
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Lead strategic sourcing activities including tenders, bids, quotations, contract negotiations, and contract finalization.
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Own relationships with strategic, critical, and OEM suppliers to drive long-term value creation and performance improvement.
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Lead or support complex commercial negotiations in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
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Oversee supplier performance, contract compliance, issue resolution, and supplier development initiatives.
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Identify, evaluate, onboard, and audit new suppliers, ensuring technical, quality, and commercial alignment.
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Promote consistency in subcontract management practices and define clear expectations across procurement and program management.
3. Inventory, Material Management & Availability
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Lead material management to ensure on-time availability of parts, consumables, repairs, and tooling to support customer delivery commitments.
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Manage and optimize inventory across new materials and consumables.
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Balance customer service level requirements with working capital and inventory turns objectives.
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Proactively manage material shortages and expedite critical items to support Material on-time to need.
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Oversee bonded stores, ensuring full parts traceability, certification, and regulatory compliance.
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Monitor, manage, and recover Excess & Obsolete (E&O) inventory.
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Ensure accurate cost roll-up for materials and finished goods.
4. Logistics, Distribution & Warehousing
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Oversee domestic and international logistics and distribution operations, including shipment planning and execution.
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Ensure compliance with import/export regulations, trade compliance, customs requirements, and transportation standards.
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Manage material flow to ensure inventory levels support customer delivery performance while minimizing holding costs.
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Develop and execute logistics strategies that optimize cost, service, and reliability across all sites.
5. Risk Management, Compliance & Regulatory Oversight
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Identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks, including supply disruptions, geopolitical risks, regulatory changes, and capacity constraints.
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Monitor market trends, raw material costs, regulatory developments, and global conditions to anticipate risks and opportunities.
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Ensure supplier compliance with safety, quality, regulatory, and contractual requirements.
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Lead audit readiness and compliance activities across procurement, logistics, inventory, and subcontract management.
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Establish and maintain effective business continuity and risk mitigation strategies across the supply chain.
6. Performance Management, Analytics & Cost Control
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Establish, track, and manage KPIs across procurement, logistics, inventory, subcontract management, and supplier performance.
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Develop performance metrics including quality, cost, delivery, sustainability, compliance, buyer productivity, and material shortage elimination.
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Evaluate internal supply chain performance and drive continuous improvement across systems, processes, and outcomes.
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Analyze material cost trends and implement strategies to protect margins and improve profitability.
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Prepare executive-level reporting on supplier performance, cost performance, productivity, and variance analysis.
7. Process Development & Continuous Improvement
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Develop, implement, and continuously improve supply chain systems, processes, policies, and procedures.
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Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, standardization, automation, and scalability.
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Lead supply chain transformation initiatives leveraging digital tools, analytics, and best-in-class practices.
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Work cross-functionally with Engineering and Operations to optimize Design for Supply Chain (DfSC) performance.
8. Organizational Design, Talent & Leadership
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Establish and manage a high-performing, multi-site supply chain organization that delivers operational synergies and consistency.
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Define and evolve organizational structures, roles, competencies, and governance models to support future business needs.
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Build next-generation supply chain capabilities including analytics, planning, supplier collaboration, digital fluency, and strategic sourcing.
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Coach, mentor, and develop leaders and teams; provide training and professional development to drive engagement and performance.
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Ensure clear roles, responsibilities, performance objectives, and accountability across the organization.
9. Cross-Functional & Customer Alignment
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Partner closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Sales & Marketing, Program Management, and Finance to ensure supply chain alignment.
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Ensure supply partners are aligned with technical, quality, delivery, and commercial requirements.
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Provide strategic supply chain expertise, guidance, and innovative solutions to internal stakeholders and customers.
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Ensure the supply chain proactively supports customer orders, lead-time commitments, and delivery performance
Skills and Competencies Required
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Strategic supply chain leader with the ability to define and execute a future-state supply chain aligned with enterprise and defense program objectives
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Deep expertise in procurement, subcontract management, supplier negotiations, and contract lifecycle management within regulated environments.
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Strong understanding of aerospace and defense manufacturing requirements, including compliance, quality, traceability, and government standards.
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Proven change agent with experience leading transformation initiatives across functions, sites, and business units in complex organizations.
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Demonstrated financial acumen with a track record of improving P&L performance through cost reduction, working capital optimization, and risk mitigation.
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Expertise in end-to-end supply chain operations, including planning, sourcing, inventory, logistics, and supplier collaboration.
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Strong operational excellence mindset with experience in Lean, Six Sigma, continuous improvement, and SIOP / IBP processes.
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Advanced experience with ERP/MRP systems and supply chain planning tools; strong digital and analytical capabilities.
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Experience leveraging AI for data analytics, automation, and advanced technologies to improve forecasting, procurement, and logistics performance.
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Effective, participative leader with a proven ability to build, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.
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Excellent communicator with the ability to influence executive leadership, cross-functional stakeholders, and external partners.
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Highly effective in prioritizing multiple initiatives, managing risk, and delivering results in fast-paced, mission-critical environments
Experience & Education Requirements
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Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
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12+ years of progressive supply chain leadership experience in aerospace, defense, or highly regulated manufacturing environments.
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Executive-level experience leading end-to-end supply chain functions, including procurement, subcontract management, inventory, and logistics.
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Strong knowledge of defense contracting and regulatory requirements, including ITAR/EAR, quality standards, and audit readiness.
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Proven track record of driving cost reduction, working capital optimization, and operational performance improvements while maintaining compliance and delivery performance.
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Experience managing complex, multi-site and/or global supply chain organizations.
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Demonstrated success leading supply chain transformation initiatives, including process standardization, digital enablement, and organizational change.
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Extensive experience with strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, and subcontract lifecycle management.
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Advanced experience with ERP/MRP systems and supply chain planning tools.
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Experience managing supply chain risk in mission-critical, high-reliability environments.
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Professional certifications (APICS, CPSM, Lean Six Sigma)
This posting is for a current vacancy. In the province of Ontario, Canada, the pay range for this position will be $193,000 to $243,000
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At L3Harris, we foster an inclusive and equitable workplace. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. For applicants with disabilities, we will provide you with accommodation so that you have what you need in order to be at your best.
L3Harris performs background checks prior to employment as all applicants must be eligible for registration with the Controlled Goods Program and obtain and maintain a positive security assessment. Some positions may require a government of Canada “Reliability” status and/or Level 2 (Secret) security clearance. In addition, L3Harris performs pre-employment substance abuse testing where required.
