Technique is looking for a Director of Supply Chain to join our team at our Jackson, Michigan facility. Reporting to the CFO, this strategic, hands\-on leader will be responsible for developing and implementing Technique?s supply chain strategy, encompassing procurement, contract negotiations, forecasting and demand planning (SIOP), and inbound and outbound transportation. This executive will lead a transformational effort to expand and evolve Technique?s supply chain capabilities in support of continued growth and customer responsiveness?driving best\-cost category management, supplier rationalization, inventory agility for low\-volume production, material readiness for rapid prototyping, and disciplined SIOP to optimize inventory while preserving industry\-leading lead times.
The ideal candidate brings proven success leading sourcing in prototype, low\-volume, or engineered\-to\-order manufacturing environments where speed, flexibility, and engineering collaboration are critical. They combine big\-company sourcing rigor with the hands\-on urgency of fast\-turn operations, and have a track record of building high\-performing teams across procurement, planning, logistics, and analytics. Experience in automotive prototyping, aerospace and defense fabrication, motorsports, medical device machining, or PE\-backed niche manufacturing is especially attractive, as is familiarity with multi\-process fabrication environments involving tooling, CNC machining and bending, laser cutting, and robotic/manual welding.
Responsibilities:
* Strategic Sourcing \& Supplier Management ? Rationalize Technique?s vendor base and standardize purchased parts through disciplined category management; negotiate pricing, lead times, and service levels; evaluate suppliers on speed, reliability, quality, cost, and engineering collaboration; build partnerships with flexible MOQs; and drive supplier scorecards for improved lead\-time adherence, agility, quality, and expedited cost control.
* SIOP Leadership ? Establish Technique?s Sales, Inventory \& Operations Planning process, aligning customer demand, engineering pipelines, sourcing priorities, inventory buffers, and production capacity; lead a disciplined cross\-functional cadence to convert prototype and low\-volume production forecasts into material and capacity plans; and use data\-driven insights and scenario playbooks to manage backlog risk, lead\-time reliability, and material readiness.
* Inventory \& Materials Strategy ? Build an inventory model that balances cost discipline with prototype agility, setting stock levels based on project volatility; use SIOP risk modeling to define safety buffers and implement replenishment tied to consumption and project cadence; and work with Finance to protect responsiveness while managing working capital.
* Production Integration ? Synchronize materials, machine capacity, and schedules for Technique?s rapid prototypes and small\-batch builds; turn SIOP outputs into production plans, material releases, and capacity requirements; ensure fast execution of engineering changes; and standardize receiving, inspection, kitting, staging, and internal logistics to improve flow, WIP visibility, and prototype predictability.
* Logistics, Warehousing \& Fulfillment ? Ensure fast, visible material flow from suppliers through production to the customer; oversee receiving, inspection, storage, kitting, staging, and shipping; manage freight partners to ensure reliable lead times and controlled expedite costs; and standardize packaging, labeling, documentation, and warehouse layouts to enable rapid staging and seamless handoffs to the shop floor.
* New Products \& Orders ? Align sourcing and supplier readiness with Technique?s early engineering designs and rapid prototype timelines; assess material feasibility, capacity, lead times, and manufacturability before designs are locked; audit suppliers to ensure they can support prototype, pilot, and low\-volume runs; and enable smooth, on\-time launches through disciplined upfront planning, cost and risk evaluation, and clear readiness checkpoints.
* Systems \& Data Intelligence ? Build a real\-time control tower tracking supply readiness, lead\-time performance, inventory health, and prototype risk; implement ERP/MRP and analytics for forecast visibility, material traceability, and supplier performance; and own SIOP dashboards measuring OTIF, reliability, expedite cost, inventory turns vs. agility, and backlog risk.
* Team Leadership \& Organizational Capability ? Build a scalable supply chain organization that supports Technique?s growth and increasing prototype velocity; define roles and succession across sourcing, planning, inventory, warehouse, and logistics; develop a team grounded in accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and data\-driven decisions; and position Supply Chain as a strategic partner to Engineering and Production.
Requirements:
- Bachelor?s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Business, or a related field; advanced degree or relevant certifications a plus
- Proven experience leading supply chain functions in prototype, low\-volume, or engineered\-to\-order manufacturing environments
- Experience supporting multi\-process fabrication environments (tooling, CNC machining and bending, laser cutting, robotic/manual welding)
- Background in automotive prototyping, aerospace and defense fabrication, motorsports, medical device machining, or advanced metals manufacturing preferred
- Demonstrated ability to build and develop high\-performing teams across procurement, planning, inventory/materials, logistics, and supplier management
- Experience implementing ERP/MRP systems, SIOP processes, and supply chain analytics and KPI dashboards
- Experience in PE\-backed or value\-creation environments with a track record of measurable improvements in material cost, lead\-time performance, and working capital preferred
- Strong negotiation skills with demonstrated success securing lead\-time commitments, flexible MOQs, and rapid\-response service levels from suppliers
- Action\-oriented, hands\-on, and floor\-focused with ability to thrive in lean, fast\-turn environments where decisions are fast and ownership is personal
- Must reside within approximately one hour of Technique?s Jackson, MI headquarters; viable home bases include Ann Arbor, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and parts of the western Detroit metro area
- Paid Time Off
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Account
- 401(k)
- 401(k) Matching
- Professional Development
- Referral Program
- Paid Training
- On The Job Training
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Reimbursement
About Technique:
Technique is a Michigan\-based precision sheet metal and welded assemblies manufacturer serving aerospace, defense, automotive, motorsports, medical, and food processing industries. We specialize in high\-speed prototypes, ultra\-low volume stampings, tubing, and assemblies for production and emergency\-based manufacturing.
Our employees enjoy a work culture that values safety, integrity, teamwork, learning opportunities, and results.
Technique benefits include paid time off, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), 401(k), 401(k) matching, professional development, referral program, paid training, on\-the\-job training, employee assistance program, and tuition reimbursement.
Benefits:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Technique is an equal employment opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.