Senior Program Manager - Golf Ball

The Senior Program Manager Product Cost – Golf Ball is a senior leadership role on the TaylorMade Global Operations team, accountable for the cost and margin performance of the golf ball category across a global manufacturing network. The network includes nine manufacturing locations in Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, China, and the United States, three of which are vertically integrated, and represents a nine-figure annual spend base. This role determines the true cost of golf balls made in-house and by external suppliers, sets cost targets, and leads the decisions that increase product margin, working closely with R&D, Engineering, Finance, and executive leadership. Success requires proven cost management experience in overseas manufacturing settings, advanced financial modeling (including activity-based costing and total cost of ownership), and the ability to negotiate with suppliers and influence senior stakeholders.

We are seeking a self-driven, analytically rigorous leader who has managed costs and negotiated on-site with suppliers in overseas manufacturing environments. This individual should be accountable for results, comfortable making and defending decisions, and able to deliver cost reduction and strategic initiatives with minimal direction. The ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels, internally and at suppliers, is essential. This role reports directly to the Associate Director of Purchasing and Capacity Planning for TaylorMade golf ball and offers a path for supply chain leaders ready to shape the golf ball business.

Essential Functions and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead activity-based costing to establish true cost by product type and facility, across vertically integrated plants and external suppliers. Requires advanced cost accounting and ABC expertise.
• Build financial models and analytical tools (capital investment cases, total cost of ownership, design-to-cost driver analysis) to guide senior leadership decisions. Requires advanced Excel and financial modeling skills.
• Present golf ball supply chain and cost strategy to senior and executive leadership. Requires the ability to simplify complex data for diverse audiences.
• Own supplier costing decisions and lead on-site negotiation of long-term sourcing agreements, setting pricing and terms and deciding when to switch, dual-source, or exit a supplier. Requires proven cost management experience in overseas manufacturing settings (should-cost analysis, FOB and landed cost, freight, duty, and currency exposure).
• Lead cost-related stage-gate decisions and provide cost leadership on cross-functional new product introduction teams, with authority to challenge or escalate designs that miss cost and margin targets.
• Own cost governance for the golf ball category, including approval of FOB cost changes, quoting standards, pricing methodologies, and maintenance of price lists and revision history by product and supplier.
• Lead cost reviews and design-for-manufacture cost options with R&D, Engineering, and Product Creation. Requires working knowledge of injection molding, automated painting, and packaging processes.
• Develop the sourcing strategy for faster, more cost-effective delivery of the ball category; track pricing trends of critical commodities; and lead supply risk assessments and mitigation to protect continuity, cost, and quality.
• Own the golf ball cost and margin strategy, setting cost targets, leading make-versus-buy decisions, and driving cross-functional cost reduction projects across vertically integrated facilities and overseas suppliers. Requires change management and margin improvement experience.
• Own the annual FOB cost and margin forecast and recommend corrective actions to senior leadership when results deviate from plan.
• Develop cost analysts and cross-functional team members, setting priorities and decision-making standards for cost analysis.
• Perform other related duties and assignments as required.

Knowledge and Skills Requirements:

• Fluent verbal and written English communication skills are required.
• Proven cost management expertise in overseas manufacturing settings, including should-cost modeling, FOB and landed cost, freight, duty, and currency exposure.
• Advanced financial modeling expertise, including activity-based costing, total cost of ownership, and capital investment business cases.
• Cost analysis and negotiation expertise, with demonstrated success leading complex, high-value supplier negotiations and long-term sourcing agreements, including on-site with overseas suppliers.
• Manufacturing process knowledge (injection molding, automated painting, packaging) and experience in lean manufacturing and continual improvement, with the ability to identify and drive process changes.
• Proven ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams and senior/executive stakeholders without direct authority, building relationships and credibility internally and with suppliers.
• Experience leading change management and driving margin improvement initiatives across vertically integrated facilities and external suppliers.
• Ability to simplify complex data for presentation to diverse management levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially advanced Excel; familiarity with Business Objects, DOMO, or Oracle.

Education, Work Experience, and Professional Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field
• Master of Business Administration or other graduate degree preferred
• 10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing cost management, strategic sourcing, or related supply chain functions, including at least 5 years managing costs and suppliers in overseas manufacturing settings (Asia preferred)
• Demonstrated experience leading supplier negotiations and developing or managing analysts
• Experience in golf ball or comparable high-volume polymer or consumer-products manufacturing preferred
• Professional certification preferred, such as CPSM, CSCP, CMA, or Lean Six Sigma

Work Environment / Physical Requirements:

• Normal office conditions with extensive computer and phone usage.
• Ability to work extended hours as necessary.
• Able to work efficiently and accurately in an atmosphere of frequent interruption.
• Light physical effort equal to frequent lifting or moving of lightweight materials.
• Frequent travel may be required.

TaylorMade is a performance driven organization and our total rewards approach to compensation is designed to support this. We consider many factors in determining base compensation, including position scope, job related knowledge, education, skills, experience, and work location. The expected annual base pay range for this position is $125,000 - $145,000. Additional benefits, such as health & wellness, performance bonuses, product discounts, holidays, paid time off, etc. may also be offered in accordance with our plans.

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TaylorMade Golf Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religious creed, color, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance, or regulation.