The Director of Supply Chain and Planning is responsible for overseeing and optimizing the entire supply chain and demand planning process, from forecasting to procurement to distribution.  This role involves strategic planning, execution, and continuous improvement in an outsourced manufacturing environment while enhancing operational efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure timely delivery of products.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES or KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Direct all activities of all functions involved in the contract manufacturing management, purchasing, forecasting, order & production planning, product cost, Tier 2 core supplier management, Vendor Managed Inventory strategies, inventory management, warehousing, and delivery of products to our customers.

• Strategic Planning

• • Develop and implement supply chain strategies aligned with the company metrics and business goals to drive growth and profitability.

• • Identify opportunities for process improvement and material cost reductions.

• • Develop a robust Demand Planning process jointly with Sales and Finance.

• Supplier Management

• • End to end ownership of the contract manufacturing partnership.

• • Establish and maintain relationships with strategic supply base partners.

• • Negotiate contracts and Service Level Agreements (SLA) with core suppliers, inclusive of Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) agreements.

• • Maintain compliance with all regulatory requirements and ethical standards related to procurement inclusive but not limited to: RoHS, REACH, Conflict Minerals and Green Initiatives.

• Demand Planning

• • Oversee demand forecasting and factory planning to ensure customer order fulfillment to meet customers’ expectations.

• • Collaborate with sales and finance to align demand forecasts with quarterly business plans and metrics.

• • Actively participate in new product planning processes to assure timely acquisition of materials to support product launches.

• Supply Chain Optimization

• • Identify and implement best practices in supply chain management, including supply continuity, full landed cost reduction, second sourcing, soft vs hard tooling, E2E collaboration with partners and facilitate alternative materials selection support for engineering.

• • Drive initiatives with the contract manufacturing partner for continuous improvement and material/labor cost reductions.

• • Identify potential risks within the supply chain and develop mitigation strategies.

• Order Fulfillment and Revenue Planning

• • Manage day to day sales order planning and shipments to our order acknowledgement promise dates to meet or exceed customer expectations.

• • Plan and report on weekly shipments in a collaborative manner with Finance and Accounting as part of the cross functional revenue roadmap process between departments.

• Logistics and Distribution

• • Manage domestic and international logistics operations, including 3PL carriers, global warehousing, distribution, and reverse logistics.

• • Optimize distribution and order fulfillment processes to minimize holding costs while maximizing efficiencies for product delivery to our customers.

• Team Development

• • Hire, lead, mentor and develop a high-performing supply chain and planning team.

• • Foster a customer of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.

• • Establish monthly, quarterly, and annual team goals and objectives in coordination with corporate objectives and manage performance to ensure attainment.

• Cross Functional Collaboration

• • Collaborate with other departments (e.g. sales, marketing, finance, engineering) to ensure alignment of supply chain activities with overall business objectives and financial plans.

• • Participate in company quarterly revenue planning, Annual Operating Planning (AOP), budget development, and FP&A forward looking planning.

• • Provide insights and recommendations based on core supplier product life cycle roadmaps, supply chain analytics, and performance metrics.

• Performance Metrics

• • Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPI’s) to assess overall performance of the supply chain, order delivery, product cost trajectory, revenue achievement, and inventory management.

• • Utilize data analytics to drive decision-making and identify areas for improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven track record of successfully managing complex supply chain and planning processes.

• Industry known leader with a comprehensive supply base partner network.

• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in supply software (e.g. ERP systems, PLM systems, CRM systems, and planning tools).

• Strong knowledge of supply chain processes, logistics, warehousing, inventory management, planning, and procurement.

• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments.

• Demonstrated experience with the fast-paced growth from start-up to NPI to Production and proven ability to navigate those phases of a company growth pattern.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• BS Degree with Masters or MBA preferred.  Advanced certifications are a plus.

• 10-15 years of progressive experience in purchasing, planning, and outsource contract manufacturing management.

• 10 years of direct experience with complex electro-mechanical product manufacturing in a highly rigorous specification requirement (automotive, medical, defense specifications).

• Must be a strategic thinker and leader with confidence in decision-making and speed in execution.

• Proven leadership skills in building and managing large teams with a history of industry success.

• Excellent analytical and negotiation skills are required.