BAE's US arm hires new procurement, supply chain head

BAE Systems' U.S. subsidiary adds a new chief procurement officer to its leadership team that will also oversee the global supply chain strategy.

BAE Systems’ U.S. subsidiary has hired nearly three-decade supply chain veteran Ann Ackerson as chief procurement officer, effective May 4.

Ackerson will spearhead the global supply chain strategy in an effort to maximize the BAE Systems Inc. global enterprise’s purchasing power, the company said Thursday.

She also will be a member of the subsidiary’s senior leadership team and succeed Paul Smith, who will begin his new role on June 15 as vice president and general manager of the ship repair business.

Prior to BAE, Ackerson was senior vice president of global supply chain management for Freeman. Ackerson is also a former chief procurement officer and VP of supply chain for Dresser-Rand.