Supply Diversity Manager - MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory (MIT-LL) is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) chartered to develop advanced technology in support of national security. Research and development activities focus on long-term technology development, as well as rapid system prototyping and demonstration. These efforts are aligned within key mission areas of Biotechnology & Human Systems; Air, Missile & Maritime Defense Technology; Homeland Protection & Air Traffic Control; Cyber Security & Information Sciences; Communication Systems; Engineering; Advanced Technology; Space Systems & Technology; and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) & Tactical Systems. The Laboratory works with government and industry to transition new concepts, technology and prototypes into future system development and deployment.

Position Description

The principal role and responsibilities for the Supplier Diversity Manager (SDM) include understanding the requirements of the laboratory, increasing supplier diversity and small business involvement in the laboratory’s procurement portfolio, and increasing opportunities to fulfill the laboratory’s mission of tech transfer.  The incumbent will work, alongside the Senior Manager, with technical divisions to understand current capabilities, future desired states, and ongoing research to identify opportunities for partnerships with commercial entities, small businesses, and other universities, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Historically Hispanic Colleges and Universities (HHCUs). This role will focus on meeting contractually binding Prime Contract small business subcontracting goals and reporting requirements, increasing small and diverse vendor participation and spending, and growing small and diverse business engagement. The individual will proactively seek and lead innovative ways to improve the procurement process’ inclusion of diverse suppliers, cycle times for identifying new suppliers for divisions, and customer service levels and be considered a Subject Matter Expert (SME) across the laboratory. Responsibility will also include the development of relationships with a diverse range of businesses, including minority-owned businesses, small businesses, and businesses from different geographic areas. 

The SDM will develop and encourage opportunities for small business concerns within the various socioeconomic programs by providing information regarding means for doing business with MIT-LL to small businesses, as well as coordinating with senior leadership in the laboratory. The SDM will support the Senior Manager in achieving the following objectives: maximize the inclusion of small business concerns in subcontract solicitations; develop a comprehensive plan to implement and execute small business goals and metrics; design and distribute relevant reports that convey socioeconomic goal progress to all management levels; identify and provide information on qualified small business entities for consideration as potential sources for all MIT-LL requirements; and ensure solicitations do not include terms or requirements that limit or restrict participation by small and diverse businesses.

Additionally, the SDM will provide feedback, guidance, and recognition to diverse suppliers; create a more diverse and inclusive supply chain that drives innovation and competition to drive down costs; and, develop and implement processes for assessing vendor pool and for reporting on supplier diversity spend. In addition, they will have strong networking skills, attention to detail, and be able to communicate effectively. In addition, they will review the Contracting Services Department’s (CSD) policies and procedures, recommend updates, and provide training recommendations and materials to support the growth diversified vendors for the Small Business portfolio. They will provide general contracting expertise and guidance for all CSD activity, to include prime contract modifications concerning the Small Business Subcontracting Plan, and establish and maintain policies and procedures to promote compliance best practices. The Supplier Diversity Manager will report to the Senior Manager, Market Intelligence and Small Business.

 Primary Duties

• Work with technical group leadership to assess emerging technology needs to know what capabilities to research in the marketplace
• Work hand-in-hand with the Technology Ventures Office (TVO) to develop plans and execute tech transfers with industry, meeting one of the key lab mission areas
• Lead developmental programs to increase laboratory awareness of technology capabilities and new business opportunities across government, industry, and academic arenas
• Manage necessary systems to ensure availability of market information for laboratory personnel
• Lead, develop, maintain, and present meaningful and measurable metrics to show increased market intelligence across the laboratory and resulting benefits to laboratory programs 
• Lead development of database for laboratory personnel to access known market capabilities in a rapid manner to increase market research efforts
• Lead all efforts across the laboratory to comply, and demonstrate compliance as required, with the Laboratory's government approved subcontracting plan and applicable goals in all prime contracts
• Expand small business opportunities for the Laboratory by aggressively pursuing goals and methods that align with strategic plans and compliance requirements
• Meet with small businesses to discuss capabilities and present/explore opportunities for conducting business with the laboratory
• Develop and present all necessary information, as required, by the Prime Contract to demonstrate compliance with small business requirements and present meaningful and measurable small business goals, with steps to achieving these goals 
• Lead design strategies to engage with diverse suppliers and integrate supplier diversity best practices across the Laboratory
• Work with Senior Manager to develop, institute, and measure meaningful actions that support the strategic plans of the Laboratory and the Contracting Services Department
• Provide necessary information to the Senior Manager, Market Intelligence and Small Business to support his/her program and plan development and application across the Contracting Services Department
• Serve on multifunctional working groups to assist Laboratory personnel in developing or improving processes
• Participate in events that expand knowledge of MIT-LL capabilities across government, industry, and academia
• Travel to multiple conferences and events to ensure maximum knowledge of small business and market capabilities 

Qualifications

• BA/BS required, with one of these desired emphases preferred: business, planning, law, international affairs/government, engineering; advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of experience with contracting services departments, small business programs, market intelligence efforts, and/or government programs
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret level Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance. Top Secret (TS)/ Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance (with counter-intelligence polygraph) desired    
• Understanding of government small business programs
• Understanding of market research and its application to research and development program requirements
• Broad knowledge of/familiarity with defense technologies/applications and the defense industry
• Ability to manage complex programs, communicating objectives and progress to organizational leadership
• Ability to synthesize technical information sufficiently to gather top-level capabilities and requirements
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office computer applications
• Experience in interpreting and implementing the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS)

At MIT Lincoln Laboratory, our exceptional career opportunities include many outstanding benefits to help you stay healthy, feel supported, and enjoy a fulfilling work-life balance. Benefits offered to employees include: 

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
• MIT-funded pension
• Matching 401K
• Paid leave (including vacation, sick, parental, military, etc.)
• Tuition reimbursement and continuing education programs
• Mentorship programs
• A range of work-life balance options
• ... and much more!  

Please visit our Benefits page for more information. As an employee of MIT, you can also take advantage of other voluntary benefits, discounts and perks.

Selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret level DoD security clearance.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information; U.S. citizenship is required.

Requisition ID: 41592