Please note: While this role is listed in NYC to connect with top talent, it is physically based in Syracuse, NY and relocation support is not provided.
*Applicants MUST submit a cover letter with resume to be considered.
*This position will require in-office presence. Hybrid work schedules may be possible based on specific job duties and consistent with ESD policy.
*Minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Please contact Human Resources if you require an accommodation.
BASIC FUNCTION:
With over $124 billion in new investments announced since 2022, New York State is now home to the nation’s fastest-growing semiconductor manufacturing hub. The Vice President of Supplier Ecosystem Readiness will serve as the primary architect for connecting small, mid-sized, and historically underserved businesses to semiconductor-related construction and supply chain contracts. Situated at the forefront of New York State’s historic semiconductor growth, this position offers an unparalleled opportunity for an economic development professional to ensure this moment translates to real opportunities for New Yorkers.
This role will oversee a Syracuse-based center and a strategic portfolio of initiatives focused on supplier readiness, service delivery, and market integration. The successful candidate will ensure that businesses across New York State can successfully transition from initial interest to contract-ready participation in major projects, including Micron’s unprecedented $100 billion investment in Central New York. By bridging the gap between small businesses and global supply chains, this role serves as a primary vehicle within state government for connecting local entrepreneurs to long-term, generational wealth-building opportunities.
WORK PERFORMED:
The Vice President of Supplier Ecosystem Readiness will lead the creation of a first-of-its-kind center and virtual platform to identify, prepare, and connect New York businesses to real contracting opportunities across the semiconductor supply chain and construction ecosystem. This position is about building a pipeline of contract-ready firms and converting opportunities into economic outcomes. The Vice President is an ecosystem builder who will design, launch, and lead the first-of-its-kind business readiness center, an agile engine designed to fast-track local businesses into the semiconductor supply chain, including fab construction.
This position will work directly with industry leaders, prime contractors, and local enterprises to identify procurement gaps, remove barriers to entry, and translate massive economic investments into signed contracts for New York businesses—with a passionate focus on uplifting economically disadvantaged and underrepresented enterprises.
Key Responsibilities
- Build and launch the flagship center as a statewide engine for supplier readiness and market access.
- Design the organizational structure, service delivery model, and staffing plan for the center.
- Recruit, mentor, and lead a lean, high-performing team (including business engagement professionals) to execute out-of-the-box outreach and data-driven market interventions.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for coordination between ESD and local Economic Development Organizations and resources to ensure supplier readiness efforts are not duplicated and are strategically aligned to collaborate and move firms through the pipeline.
- Work with partners to integrate existing ESD tools like SSBCI (State Small Business Credit Initiative) capital access and bonding assistance directly into the Center’s workflow so businesses are both prepared and financially positioned.
- Develop a NYS semi-industry readiness standard that Prime contractors can trust.
- Oversee the deployment of targeted, high-impact capacity-building initiatives. Shift businesses from "interested" to "bid-ready" through rapid interventions in financial structuring (credit, bonding), certifications, back-office optimization, and bidding strategies.
- Actively bridge the gap between the procurement needs of anchor companies (e.g., Micron), prime contractors, with the capabilities of NYS suppliers.
- Convert complex industry requirements into clear readiness pathways (financial, operational, certification, and procurement readiness) for local firms.
- Aggregate "ground-truth" data from the field to advocate for and help ensure NY firms are actually being seen and utilized.
- Drive measurable outcomes: number of firms ready, number connected, and number successfully contracting.
- Establish and manage high-impact relationships with anchor companies, primes, and ecosystem partners.
- Implement and manage a robust CRM-driven system to track pipeline, readiness progression, and outcomes and use this data to refine the model based on real-time market signals
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Some in-state travel and flexibility for off-hours work are required.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education Level Required: Bachelor's degree in business, Economic Development, Finance, Supply Chain, or a related field.
Relevant Experience Required: Experience: 7+ years of experience in economic development, supply chain, small business growth, or related fields, preferably with exposure to advanced manufacturing, construction, or semiconductor ecosystems. Experience working with or alongside procurement, contracting, or supplier ecosystems. Exposure in advanced manufacturing, construction, or semiconductor ecosystems is highly preferred. Significant leadership experience with proven ability to build partnerships, lead teams, manage cross-functional initiatives, and drive measurable outcomes.
Knowledge Required: Experience launching or scaling programs tied to real economic or commercial outcomes. An entrepreneur with proven track record of taking complex, high-stakes initiatives from white-paper concepts to operational success. Ability to operate effectively at the intersection of public sector, industry, and small. Strong relationship management skills with the ability to translate engagement into action and outcomes. Data-driven approach, with experience using CRM or pipeline tools to track progress and performance. Ability to operate in ambiguity and bring structure, urgency, and accountability. Ability to engage effectively with both technical industry stakeholders and small business operators. Demonstrated ability to identify barriers and then engineer ways around them. Proven track record of converting complex industrial opportunities into tangible commercial outcomes and contracts secured by New York businesses. Additional Preferred Qualifications: Familiarity with public programs such as MWBE, SBA, and SSBCI. Experience supporting underrepresented businesses in accessing contracting opportunities. Fluency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in local business communities.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in business, economic development, finance, supply chain, or a related field
- At least 7 years of experience in economic development, supply chain, small business growth, or related fields
- Experience working with or alongside procurement, contracting, or supplier ecosystems
- Significant leadership experience building partnerships, leading teams, managing cross-functional initiatives, and driving measurable outcomes
- Experience launching or scaling programs tied to real economic or commercial outcomes
- Proven ability to take complex, high-stakes initiatives from concept to operational success
- Strong relationship management and ability to translate engagement into action and outcomes
- Data-driven approach and experience using CRM or pipeline tools to track progress and performance
- Ability to operate in ambiguity and bring structure, urgency, and accountability
- Ability to engage effectively with technical industry stakeholders and small business operators
- Proven track record converting complex industrial opportunities into commercial outcomes and contracts secured by New York businesses
- Exposure to advanced manufacturing, construction, or semiconductor ecosystems
- Familiarity with MWBE, SBA, and SSBCI programs
- Experience supporting underrepresented businesses in accessing contracting opportunities
- Fluency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in local business communities
- Ability to work in-office in Syracuse, New York
What We Do
Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency. The mission of Empire State Development is to promote a vigorous and growing state economy, encourage business investment and job creation, and support diverse, prosperous local economies across New York State through the efficient use of loans, grants, tax credits, real estate development, marketing and other forms of assistance. ESD also oversees the marketing of “I LOVE NY,” the State’s iconic tourism brand (www.iloveny.com) & NYLovesFim New York State's Film, TV & Commercial Incentives (www.nylovesfilm.com) Empire State Development is the parent organization of the New York State Department of Economic Development & the Empire State Development Corporation. For more information on Empire State Development, visit www.esd.ny.gov.
