Associate Director Supply Chain 53618

Job Title: Associate Director Supply Chain

Salary: 128K-180K

FLSA: Exempt

Reports to: VP Operations

Positions Supervised: Sr Supply Chain Planners, Sr Strategic Sourcing Specialist, Sr Purchasing Logistics Coordinator, Supply Chain Planners

Location: Irvine, CA

POSITION PURPOSE

The Associate Director Supply Chain will lead the supply chain organization. This role is responsible for the strategy and management of Sales and Operation Planning, strategic sourcing, procurement, inventory optimization, production scheduling, and shipment for on-time delivery to contribute to customer satisfaction, revenue generation and profitability.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND MAIN DUTIES

• Analyze all demand factors including sales pipeline, backlog, sales strategy and promotions, and historical trends, and drive a monthly demand planning process with all stakeholders (sales, marketing, project management, and service) to solidify the demand forecast, using forecast accuracy measurement for continual improvement.

• Based on latest demand, update monthly inventory and supply availability to adapt to and meet market needs, measuring inventory and supply performance for continual improvement.

• Lead the monthly S&OP process with commercial and operations leadership to provide a clear and concise view of mid-term demand, inventory, and supply, the performance of each, and take decisions to manage challenges and optimize the process.

• Provide committed demand planning through S&OP to Global Supply Chain Management (SCM) at headquarters and participate in global review call to provide input of North America demand and requirements.

• Manage planning based on demand flow to set re-order points and schedule supply.

• Develop and maintain a system to identify, select, and proactively manage suppliers to secure stable supply availability and optimize quality and cost, assuring the highest level of ethics and conduct and including the growth of sourcing with local small, disadvantaged and veteran-owned businesses.

• Manage the procurement of materials, including the issuance of purchase orders and follow up to maximize on-time inbound delivery.

• Maintain a good relationship with suppliers and Global Supply Chain Management (SCM) at headquarters in Japan and drive efficient and effective communication for solving issues with supply chain such as production and shipping delays.

• Conduct a weekly status call with Global SCM to review all situations on open purchase orders, incoming shipments, and any other issues in supply chain.

• Ensure optimal levels of inventory to meet customer demands without incurring devaluation expense though overstocked products.

• Conduct monthly inventory and associated KPIs review with Operations and Finance leadership to report current status of inventory and initiatives for improving inventory management.

• Establish and maintain inventory planning strategy based on the maturity of product life cycle and overall supply chain situation.

• Provide inventory status update to Global SCM and Finance at headquarters and respond to any inquiry from them as needed.

• Manage production scheduling through shipment and monitor the progress and capacity of Configuration, Quality, and Warehouse to assure on time delivery as per the committed delivery date.

• Drive throughput improvement with production to shorten lead times, enabling surface shipment to reduce cost and faster order to cash cycle time.

• Coordinate operational aspects of introducing new products and sunsetting others with product managers and other departments.

• Manage and optimize performance parameters related to supply chain and order blocks on material master.

• Partner with IT to enable automation, enable visibility to drive process innovation and efficiencies.

• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen principles to reengineer processes as necessary. Define continuous improvement projects involving and influenced by supply chain analytics.

• Establish a strong data visualization practice internally to develop, implement and manage the supply chain dashboard.

• Select, manage, develop, and hold accountable team members to meet department deliverables and responsibilities. Complete company people management requirements. Exhibit manager competencies.

• Adhere to all company policies, procedures, and business ethics codes.

• Duties may be modified or assigned at any time based on business need.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATION / EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain management, or related discipline; relevant education and experience accepted in lieu of degree

• 5+ years of management experience in Supply Chain, Production or Operations

• 5+ years of experience of people management experience, including demonstrated results and skills, driving results through others, leading teams or projects, and providing training.

• APICS certification preferred

• Lean Six Sigma certification preferred

• Prior experience working with Microsoft Excel, Salesforce, and ERP Software (SAP) preferred

• Japanese language skill is required

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Ability to lead large cross-functional projects and develop this competency within the team

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to effectively engage with staff to resolve issues (and preferably coach the team) to achieve goals. Is also curious and has high learning ability

• Results-oriented with passion, drive, and dedication to operational excellence and a can-do, positive spirit to exceed goals and commitments for self and team

• Strong leadership skills and prior success leading by influence in a matrixed organization

• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, organizational, motivational, and strategy formulation skills in both Japanese and English.

• Able to work effectively both independently and in a collaborative team environment

WORKING CONDITIONS

SCHEDULE: The regular hours for this full-time position are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday, unless otherwise stated by the department manager. Holiday, weekend, and evening work hours may be required. Regular hours may vary due to the needs of the organization or department and are subject to change at any time at the Company’s discretion.

PHYSICAL: Generally may require some reaching, bending, stooping, squatting, crawling, kneeling, pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying up to 25 pounds, finger dexterity, repetitive motions, standing, walking, sitting, hearing, visual acuity, color vision, and 2-way written/verbal communication in English. More specific details may be provided as needed or requested.

TRAVEL: Approximately 10%

ACCESS to CUSTOMER SITES: Not Required