Supply Chain Leader

Position: Supply Chain Leader

Reports to: President

Summary:

The Supply Chain Leader is responsible for overseeing Cane Creek’s strategic sourcing, purchasing, and supply chain operations, with forecasting serving as the primary focus of the role. This position manages relationships with current and prospective trading partners and vendors, ensuring every interaction reflects the highest standard of customer experience and operational excellence.

The Supply Chain Leader will drive sourcing strategy while leading forecasting, inventory planning, and inventory management initiatives. The role is also responsible for the procurement of materials, equipment, and services necessary to support on-time delivery performance and gross margin objectives. In addition, this leader will oversee all purchasing, procurement, and inventory management activities across Cane Creek while remaining actively involved in the purchasing process.

Responsibilities Include

• Support production at the Fletcher facility by identifying and validating new suppliers, negotiating pricing, and coordinating quality and delivery performance with vendors.
• Support new products and production launches, including tooling, by securing quotes and negotiating pricing, lead times, and payment terms with qualified suppliers.
• Manage relationships and contractual agreements with trading partners and vendors to ensure compliance with established terms and performance expectations.
• Conduct annual supplier performance reviews and coordinate audits as needed.
• Collaborate with trading partners and vendors to obtain timely sales reports, weekly updates, and annual planning data.
• Develop contingency and backup plans for strategically important suppliers.
• Provide oversight of current and future trading partners and vendors in Asia, ensuring strong operational performance, engineering support, quality standards, and competitive commercial terms.
• Negotiate favorable minimum order quantities (MOQs), tooling costs, and lead times with vendors.
• Monitor competitor sourcing strategies, supplier networks, and market developments.
• Oversee purchasing, shipment, demand planning, forecasting, and inventory management strategies and processes.
• Lead and develop a small team of forecasters and purchasing managers.
• This is an in-house position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 10+ years of progressive sourcing and supply chain experience, preferably within the outdoor or cycling industry.
• Strong knowledge of Asian manufacturing operations, suppliers, and sourcing practices preferred.
• Proven track record of achieving results and meeting or exceeding business objectives.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Willingness to travel to Asia 2-3 times per year.
• Extensive manufacturing and supplier management experience.
• Strong mechanical aptitude, ideally with knowledge of bicycle components and mechanics.
• Passion for cycling and familiarity with the cycling industry preferred.