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Illinois Supply Chain Recruiters for PE Groups

Zirakian Day Associates, LLC has been connecting supply chain organizations with exceptional talent since 2008. Headquartered in Nampa, Idaho, the firm serves clients and candidates nationwide, and through its membership in the NPA Global Network, conducts searches across all major US markets without geographic limitation. Whether the need is a demand planner who understands S&OP at a granular level or a VP of Procurement who can manage a complex supplier base, Zirakian Day Associates, LLC brings the functional depth to evaluate candidates the way a supply chain leader would. For Illinois supply chain recruiters focused on private equity-backed operations, that kind of specialization matters.

You can read more about the firm’s history and philosophy on the Zirakian Day Associates, LLC About page.

About Zirakian Day Associates, LLC

Since 2008, Zirakian Day Associates, LLC has built its reputation by doing one thing well: placing high-caliber supply chain professionals with employers who need more than a warm body with a relevant job title. The firm’s focus spans logistics, procurement, manufacturing operations, and executive leadership. Rather than casting a wide net across industries, Zirakian Day Associates, LLC operates as a true specialist, maintaining a national candidate network cultivated over years of conversations with supply chain professionals at every career stage.

That focus has made the firm a consistent go-to partner for small and midsized businesses that need a dependable, hands-on recruiting approach, as well as for PE-backed portfolio companies that require talent capable of supporting rapid operational growth. Consistent recognition within the supply chain recruiting community reflects a track record built on long-term relationships, not transactional placements.

Why Work with Zirakian Day Associates, LLC

Companies choose Zirakian Day Associates, LLC because the firm’s recruiters speak the language of supply chain before the first intake call ends. The consultative approach means understanding not just the job description, but the operational context behind it: the ERP environment, the planning methodology, the procurement complexity, and the leadership dynamics on the existing team. That operational fluency translates directly into better candidate shortlists and fewer mis-hires. For PE groups evaluating Illinois supply chain recruiters, the firm’s supply chain executive recruiting practice brings particular depth in identifying senior leaders who can scale a function, not just maintain it.

The roles Zirakian Day Associates, LLC regularly places include:

  • VP of Supply Chain

  • Director of Procurement

  • Director of Logistics

  • S&OP Manager

  • Demand Planning Manager

  • Supply Chain Analyst

  • Inventory Control Manager

  • Procurement Manager

  • Director of Distribution

  • Transportation Manager

  • Operations Manager

  • Chief Supply Chain Officer

  • And many more specialized supply chain roles

How Zirakian Day Associates, LLC Connects Companies with Talent

Every search begins with a direct conversation about what the role actually demands operationally, not just what the job posting says. Zirakian Day Associates, LLC works to understand the specific workflows, technology environments, and team structures a candidate will step into, then draws on a broad national network to identify professionals who match both the technical requirements and the organizational culture. Candidates are evaluated on their practical experience with tools like SAP, Oracle, Kinaxis, and Blue Yonder, as well as their exposure to S&OP processes, supplier negotiation, and logistics management, before a single resume reaches a hiring manager. That evaluation continues through onboarding support to give new hires and client companies a strong foundation for a lasting working relationship.

Explore current supply chain opportunities on the ZDA jobs board to get a sense of the caliber of roles the firm handles.

Supply Chain Roles and Industries Zirakian Day Associates, LLC Serves

The firm’s recruiting work spans manufacturing operations, logistics and distribution, strategic procurement, demand and supply planning, and C-suite supply chain leadership. Industries served include industrial equipment manufacturing, consumer goods, food and beverage distribution, third-party logistics, aerospace components, and chemical processing, among others. In each case, the approach is targeted rather than generic: Zirakian Day Associates, LLC does not apply a one-size-fits-all sourcing model across unrelated sectors. This specialization is particularly valuable for PE groups seeking Illinois supply chain recruiters with genuine functional knowledge, because the difference between a well-matched hire and a costly mis-hire often comes down to how well a recruiter understands the operational environment before the search begins.

Connect with Zirakian Day Associates, LLC on LinkedIn to follow the firm’s work and stay current on supply chain talent trends.

Ready to Strengthen Your Supply Chain Team

If your PE portfolio company or manufacturing operation has open supply chain roles that have gone too long without the right candidate, Zirakian Day Associates, LLC is prepared to work with your team. The firm brings the functional knowledge to ask the right qualifying questions, the national network to surface candidates who are not actively job hunting, and the commitment to a long-term partnership that extends well past the offer letter. Use the contact form below to start the conversation about your current hiring needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Zirakian Day Associates, LLC different from general staffing firms for supply chain hiring?

Zirakian Day Associates, LLC focuses exclusively on supply chain recruiting, which means the firm’s recruiters understand the functional distinctions between roles like S&OP analyst, demand planner, procurement manager, and logistics coordinator. A generalist recruiter may treat these as interchangeable because the job titles sound similar. Zirakian Day Associates, LLC does not. That depth of functional knowledge allows the firm to screen candidates against the actual operational requirements of a role before presenting them to a hiring manager, which reduces time spent on unqualified interviews and lowers the risk of a costly mis-hire.

Does Zirakian Day Associates, LLC work with private equity-backed companies specifically?

Yes. PE-backed portfolio companies often face compressed timelines for building out functional leadership teams, particularly in supply chain where open roles have a direct impact on operational performance and EBITDA. Zirakian Day Associates, LLC has experience working with companies in growth or transformation phases where the talent needs are both urgent and strategically significant. The firm understands how to identify supply chain professionals who can operate effectively in high-growth or post-acquisition environments.

What types of supply chain roles does Zirakian Day Associates, LLC recruit for in Illinois?

As one of the Illinois supply chain recruiters companies rely on for specialized searches, Zirakian Day Associates, LLC recruits across a broad range of functional areas. This includes demand planning and S&OP, procurement and strategic sourcing, logistics and transportation management, inventory control, distribution operations, and executive supply chain leadership up to the VP and C-suite level. The firm does not limit its searches to active job seekers, which allows it to surface experienced professionals who may not be visible through standard posting channels.

How does Zirakian Day Associates, LLC evaluate candidates for supply chain roles?

Evaluation goes well beyond reviewing a resume for job titles. Zirakian Day Associates, LLC assesses candidates on their direct experience with relevant ERP platforms such as SAP and Oracle, demand planning tools like Kinaxis or Blue Yanka Blue Yonder, their practical involvement in S&OP cycles, their supplier management experience, and their ability to work within the specific operational structure of the client company. Cultural alignment with the hiring organization is also part of the process, because a technically qualified candidate who is misaligned with the team’s working style creates its own set of problems.

Does Zirakian Day Associates, LLC handle executive-level supply chain searches?

Yes. Executive supply chain searches are a core part of the firm’s practice. Placing a VP of Supply Chain or Chief Supply Chain Officer requires a different approach than filling a mid-level analyst role, and Zirakian Day Associates, LLC has the network and the functional knowledge to conduct those searches with the discretion and thoroughness they require. The firm works to understand the strategic context of the hire, including organizational growth plans, reporting structure, and the operational challenges the incoming leader will need to address from the first month on the job.

How does Zirakian Day Associates, LLC support clients after a placement is made?

The firm’s involvement does not end at the offer letter. Zirakian Day Associates, LLC provides onboarding support to help new hires transition effectively into their roles and to give client companies the confidence that the placement is set up for long-term success. This follow-through reflects the firm’s commitment to building partnerships rather than completing transactions, and it is part of why many clients return to Zirakian Day Associates, LLC for subsequent searches as their organizations grow.