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Director 1-Global Supply Chain Artificial Intelligence (AI) Business Strategy and Execution

Unknown City, Maryland, United States
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Position Summary

The Director, Global Supply Chain Artificial Intelligence (AI) Business Strategy and Execution will lead the strategy, development, deployment, and adoption of AI-enabled capabilities across the global supply chain organization. This leader will serve as a key architect of the company’s digital transformation journey, leveraging artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, and emerging technologies to drive operational excellence, accelerate decision-making, improve resilience, and create competitive advantage across the supply chain ecosystem.  This is not a traditional technology role. Rather than building algorithms or leading software development teams, the Director will serve as the business leader responsible for identifying where AI can create meaningful value across the supply chain and translating emerging technologies into measurable business outcomes. Reporting to the Vice President of Global Supply Chain Program Enablement, this individual will operate at the intersection of strategy, operations, data, and change leadership—partnering across supply chain, engineering, programs, operations, and digital organizations to transform how work gets done.

This role presents a unique opportunity to shape the future of a global supply chain organization, establish enterprise AI capabilities, and lead large-scale transformation efforts that improve agility, resilience, affordability, and execution speed. The successful candidate will help reimagine supply chain processes, elevate workforce productivity, and drive innovation across one of the most complex and consequential industries in the world.

For leaders who are passionate about supply chain excellence, digital transformation, and organizational change, this role offers a rare opportunity to leave a lasting impact on both business performance and mission success.

Key Responsibilities

AI Strategy & Vision

  • Develop and execute a multi-year AI roadmap aligned with Global Supply Chain and enterprise strategic objectives.
  • Identify opportunities to leverage AI to improve forecasting, planning, sourcing, supplier management, logistics, inventory optimization, compliance, and program execution.
  • Establish a scalable framework for AI governance, responsible AI usage, and value realization.
  • Serve as a thought leader on emerging AI technologies and industry best practices.

Business Transformation

  • Lead the identification, prioritization, and deployment of AI solutions that deliver measurable business outcomes.
  • Drive the transformation of supply chain processes through automation, predictive analytics, digital assistants, and intelligent decision-support systems.
  • Champion adoption of AI-enabled tools across supply chain functions and business units.
  • Develop business cases and ROI models for AI investments.

Data & Analytics Leadership

  • Partner with enterprise data, digital, and IT organizations to establish data foundations required for AI success.
  • Ensure availability, quality, governance, and accessibility of supply chain data.
  • Oversee development of advanced analytics and predictive models that improve supply chain performance and risk management.
  • Establish KPIs and performance dashboards to measure AI effectiveness and business impact.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Partner with Supply Chain leaders, Program Management, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, and Information Technology to align AI initiatives with business priorities.
  • Influence executive stakeholders and drive enterprise-wide adoption of AI-enabled capabilities.
  • Collaborate with external technology providers, industry partners, government agencies, and academic institutions.

Talent & Organizational Development

  • Develop AI literacy and capability across the supply chain organization.
  • Establish a culture of innovation, experimentation, continuous learning, and data-driven decision making.
  • Mentor future digital and supply chain leaders.

Compliance & Risk Management

  • Ensure AI solutions comply with aerospace and defense regulations, cybersecurity requirements, export controls, and customer contractual obligations.
  • Establish processes to monitor AI model performance, transparency, and responsible usage.
  • Partner with Legal, Ethics, Information Security, and Compliance organizations to manage AI-related risks.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Operations Research, Business, or related discipline.
  • Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in supply chain, digital transformation, analytics, AI, or related fields.
  • Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing cross-functional teams and enterprise-level initiatives.
  • Demonstrated experience developing and implementing AI, machine learning, advanced analytics, or automation solutions in complex operational environments.
  • Strong understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes including planning, procurement, supplier management, logistics, manufacturing, and program execution.
  • Experience leading large-scale business transformation initiatives.
  • Excellent executive communication, stakeholder management, and change leadership skills.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain required security clearances.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Advanced degree (MBA, MS, or PhD) in Supply Chain, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, Operations Research, or related field.
  • Experience within aerospace and defense, industrial manufacturing, or other highly regulated industries.
  • Familiarity with ERP, PLM, APS, MES, and supply chain planning platforms.
  • Knowledge of Generative AI, Agentic AI, Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), Digital Twins, and Predictive Analytics.
  • Experience supporting U.S. Government programs and compliance requirements.
  • Certification in Supply Chain Management, Data Analytics, AI, Agile, or Program Management.

Success Measures

Within the first 12 months, this leader will:

  • Establish an enterprise Global Supply Chain AI strategy and governance framework.
  • Implement scalable AI solutions across multiple supply chain functions.
  • Develop an AI-enabled workforce and improve organizational AI maturity.
  • Generate quantifiable business value through AI-driven productivity, cost reduction, risk mitigation, and decision quality improvements.

Leadership Competencies

  • Strategic Vision
  • Enterprise Thinking
  • Digital and Technology Leadership
  • Change Management
  • Innovation and Continuous Improvement
  • Talent Development
  • Executive Influence
  • Data-Driven Decision Making
  • Customer and Mission Focus
  • Collaboration and Accountability

Primary Level Salary Range: $185,400.00 - $278,000.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States, building advanced systems across space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains. The company is known for some of the most complex defense programs in the world, including stealth aircraft, autonomous systems, missile defense technologies, satellites, and space-based intelligence platforms that support U.S. national security operations.

For job seekers, Northrop Grumman offers careers across a wide range of high-impact fields including aerospace engineering, software development, cybersecurity, systems engineering, manufacturing, program management, and intelligence support. The company is especially attractive to veterans, cleared professionals, and engineers who want to work on mission-critical systems that directly support the Department of Defense and intelligence community. Many roles involve long-term programs with significant technical depth and real-world operational impact.

Unlike smaller defense startups focused on narrow capabilities, Northrop Grumman operates across multiple major mission areas, giving employees exposure to highly advanced programs such as stealth platforms, space systems, autonomous vehicles, and next-generation command-and-control systems. The company is also a major leader in classified space and intelligence systems, where cutting-edge engineering and secure infrastructure play a critical role in national defense.

As global competition in space, cyber, and advanced military systems continues to intensify, Northrop Grumman remains one of the most strategically important employers in the defense industry. For professionals seeking stable, highly technical careers with long-term impact on national security, Northrop Grumman continues to stand out as a leading destination in aerospace and defense.

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