Vice President External Manufacturing

ABOUT ADVANCED ENERGY:

Advanced Energy is a global leader in precision power conversion, measurement, and control solutions for mission-critical applications. The company enables customer innovation across semiconductor, industrial, medical, and data center markets through highly engineered products, a global manufacturing footprint, and a strong commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Vice President, External Manufacturing is a strategic and operational leader responsible for managing Advanced Energy's global outsourced manufacturing network across magnetics, cables, SMT boards, PCBA, and full turnkey system box build. The role drives end-to-end performance across external partners, ensuring best-in-class execution in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness while enabling scalable growth and strong customer outcomes.

Essential Responsibilities: 

• Lead strategy, governance, and execution of the global outsourced manufacturing network
• Build and develop a high-performing team with strong regional presence near key partners (China, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, US, Mexico)
• Drive operational excellence across all partners in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity
• Establish robust KPI systems, executive business reviews, and performance scorecards
• Ensure readiness for new product introduction (NPI), product transfers, and volume ramps
• Optimize manufacturing network footprint, capacity, and cost structure
• Drive supplier and partner continuous improvement, including yield, OEE, and cycle time improvements
• Partner closely with engineering, quality, sourcing, and supply chain to improve manufacturability and system performance
• Lead recovery and turnaround actions for underperforming partners through structured improvement plans

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Works in a standard office environment and uses office equipment (telephone, PC, copier, fax machine, etc.).

Travel required approximately 40% of time both domestic and international.

Extensive international travel and hands-on engagement at external manufacturing partner sites. The successful candidate is expected to maintain strong on-site presence to drive performance, build partnerships, and ensure operational alignment

SKILLS:

• Strong financial and business acumen, linking operational performance to margin and growth
• Expertise in KPI-driven management systems and standardized operating disciplines
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies
• Strong communication, leadership, and executive stakeholder management skills
• Ability to operate effectively in a global, matrixed organization

EXPERIENCE:

• 15+ years of manufacturing and operations leadership experience, including outsourced or contract manufacturing
• Deep expertise in electronics manufacturing including SMT, PCBA, magnetics, cable assemblies, and system integration
• Proven track record managing global EMS partners and complex supply chains in high-mix, high-reliability environments
• Demonstrated success in operational excellence transformation (quality, delivery, cost, productivity)
• Experience supporting NPI, product transfers, and scaling manufacturing operations across regions
• Strong leadership experience in Asia-based manufacturing environments preferred

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, or related field
• MBA preferred