Executive Search Success Story: Recruiting a VP of Supply Chain to Deliver Production Rate Readiness for a Tier 1 Aerostructures Supplier

How JRG Partners executed a confidential North American executive search that equipped a private-equity-backed Tier 1 aerostructures supplier with the VP of Supply Chain and supplier management leadership required to secure sub-tier supply for commercial aircraft rate increases, eliminate late deliveries to OEM customers, and restore supplier performance across a global, highly regulated supply base.

The Challenge

A private-equity-backed Tier 1 aerostructures supplier held multi-year contracts on two commercial aircraft programs whose OEMs had announced significant production rate increases. The company’s sub-tier supply base of forgings, castings, machined details, and specialty fasteners was already struggling at current rates, and OEM delivery scorecards had deteriorated. The supply chain function was transactional, supplier development was nonexistent, and the OEMs had placed the company on a watch list. Executive leadership identified several critical vulnerabilities threatening the business:

• On-time delivery to OEM customers below 75% with watch-list status and risk of work transfer
• Announced rate increases requiring 40% more sub-tier capacity within eighteen months
• Critical forgings and castings single-sourced with lead times exceeding fifty weeks
• No supplier development or performance management function across more than 400 approved suppliers
• Materials planning disconnected from OEM demand signals, driving shortages and expediting costs
• Sponsor expectations for delivery recovery and margin protection through the rate ramp

Recognizing that rate readiness required a strategic supply chain executive, the CEO and sponsor engaged JRG Partners to recruit a VP of Supply Chain, supported by a Director of Supplier Performance & Development and a Director of Materials & Production Planning. The company required an executive search partner with deep aerospace expertise and access to supply chain leaders who had delivered rate readiness and supplier recovery on commercial aircraft programs.

Why They Chose JRG Partners

Aerospace and Defense Supply Chain Focus

JRG Partners possesses deep recruiting expertise across aerospace Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, OEM supply chain organizations, and aerospace distribution companies, including supply chain, supplier quality, and planning leadership. This domain knowledge ensured an immediate understanding of rate readiness, sub-tier capacity constraints, long-lead material dynamics, and OEM scorecard expectations.

VP of Supply Chain Search Specialization

Our firm maintains a dedicated practice for VP of Supply Chain searches in aerospace and defense, with a proven methodology for evaluating candidates on supplier recovery, rate ramp execution, and measurable OEM delivery improvement.

Private Equity Value-Creation Alignment

JRG Partners has extensive experience serving aerospace-focused private equity sponsors and portfolio companies, with a clear understanding of program milestones, customer retention risk, and the urgency of supply chain leadership placements.

Our Executive Search Strategy

Phase 1 — Rate Readiness & Supplier Review

Our consultants partnered directly with the CEO, sponsor operating partners, COO, and program management to review OEM scorecards, rate ramp requirements, supplier capacity, long-lead material exposure, and planning integration. This review defined a VP of Supply Chain profile combining aerospace supplier recovery, rate readiness execution, and planning transformation.

Phase 2 — Talent Identification & Mapping

Our research team performed an extensive talent mapping initiative targeting supply chain leaders at aerospace Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, OEM supply chain organizations, and aerospace distributors who had led documented rate ramps and supplier recoveries. Over 295 executives were systematically assessed across these sectors.

Phase 3 — Candidate Engagement

Priority during outreach was given to leaders with a documented history of removing companies from OEM watch lists, building supplier development functions, securing sub-tier capacity for rate increases, dual-sourcing long-lead materials, and integrating materials planning with OEM demand. Only candidates meeting these strict performance baselines advanced.

Phase 4 — Selection Process

Finalists presented a rate readiness and supplier recovery plan to the CEO and sponsor, completed structured leadership assessments, and underwent reference verification focused on quantified delivery, supplier, and program outcomes.

Key Outcomes

• 295+ aerospace and defense supply chain leader profiles mapped across North America.
• Placed a VP of Supply Chain with proven rate ramp experience in 49 days.
• Raised OEM on-time delivery from below 75% to above 96% and exited watch-list status.
• Secured 40% additional sub-tier capacity ahead of announced rate increases.
• Qualified dual sources for critical forgings and castings.
• Reduced expediting costs by more than $6M annually through integrated planning.