Northrop Grumman has appointed Karen Williams vice president of contracts, pricing and supply chain, the company announced Thursday.
She will report to James Palmer, chief financial officer and corporate VP, and succeed Susan Cote, who plans to retire from the company.
Palmer said Williams brings experience in government contracting, general management and business management.
She will lead all of the company’s activities in contracts, pricing and supply chain and be responsible for the company’s risk review process.
She will also provide companywide policy, direction, training and oversight of contracts and pricing.
For contracting and pricing matters, she will serve as the company’s primary representative to government customers, including contracting areas of regulations and oversight.
Her supply chain responsibilities include developi9ng and implementing the company’s strategies and processes such as socio-economic business planning, strategy and compliance.
Currently, she serves as VP and general manager of the information systems sector’s defense technology division, which provides end-to-end support systems and services for defense customers.
Prior to that, she served as VP for the sector’s air and missile defense systems unit.
Williams has also been a business management director for a systems integration operating unit and directed financial reporting, contract administration, business management, procurement, government property, rates management, compliance and resources.
She also was contracts director for one of the company’s defense business units.
Williams is the founding sponsor of the company’s Women in Leadership Program and serves on the company’s diversity and inclusion council.
