Supply Chain Leader

Job Title: Production Operations and Supply Chain Lead

Location: Allston, Massachusetts

Company Overview: We are a fast-growing hardware-enabled SaaS company specializing in consumer wearable devices. Our company thrives on innovation, collaboration, and delivering exceptional customer experiences. We are seeking an experienced and proactive Production Operations and Supply Chain Lead to oversee our production, inventory and quality control operations as we scale. This role is critical to ensuring our production operations run smoothly in a flat organizational structure with hands-on leadership.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Inventory and Procurement Management:

• Oversee all inventory tracking and delivery processes, ensuring accurate records and efficient supply chain operations.
• Manage procurement processes, including supplier communication, purchase order management, and material forecasting.
• Implement and maintain Cin7 inventory software to improve tracking, reporting, and inventory control.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve supplier performance, reduce costs, and ensure continuity of supply.
• Identify alternate suppliers to mitigate risks and improve flexibility in the supply chain.

Inventory Control and Management:

• Ensure inventory accuracy through routine cycle counts and audits.
• Manage and maintain inventory levels to support production requirements while avoiding overstock.
• Establish efficient tracking systems to monitor yield, waste, and usage patterns.
• Implement proactive strategies to reduce inventory holding costs without compromising production readiness.

Demand Planning & Forecasting:

• Collaborate with leadership to forecast product demand and align inventory planning accordingly.
• Develop systems to align procurement and production plans with sales forecasts and customer demand.

Quality Control:

• Develop and oversee in-line quality control processes to maintain high production standards.
• Manage Incoming Quality Control (IQC) processes to ensure all components meet required standards before entering production.
• Track and report yield performance, implementing strategies to improve production outcomes.
• Manage production line hold processes, ensuring non-conforming products are addressed efficiently.

Production Planning and Management:

• Develop and manage daily production schedules.
• Coordinate staffing assignments for production operators to ensure optimal workflow.
• Oversee material ordering for production needs.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure production processes align with technical requirements.
• Support product ramp-ups, ensuring the readiness of materials, equipment, and workforce for new product launches.

People Management:

• Manage all production operators, including approving timesheets, providing training, and ensuring smooth daily operations.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and support to production staff to foster a positive and productive environment.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineer to ensure engineering improvements align with production processes.
• Develop onboarding and training materials for new production operators to ensure a skilled and efficient workforce.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Develop dashboards to track production KPIs such as yield, throughput, and downtime.
• Analyze trends in production data to identify bottlenecks and recommend improvements.
• Provide regular reporting on inventory health, order fulfillment status, and supply chain risks.

Continuous Improvement:

• Introduce lean manufacturing principles to improve production efficiency and minimize waste.
• Drive Kaizen events or improvement workshops to identify process bottlenecks and implement corrective actions.
• Implement 5S practices to improve workstation organization and overall efficiency.

Compliance and Regulatory Management:

• Ensure production processes align GMP and with potentially other relevant industry certifications (e.g., ISO 9001, FDA standards for wellness devices).
• Manage documentation and records to meet traceability and regulatory requirements.

Customer-Facing Logistics Support:

• Collaborate with customer support teams to resolve issues related to shipping delays, inventory shortages, or order fulfillment challenges.
• Implement procedures to manage customer returns, repairs, and exchanges efficiently.

Production Equipment Maintenance:

• Manage equipment maintenance schedules and proactively address equipment concerns to minimize downtime and ensure production continuity.

Safety Procedure Ownership:

• Develop, implement, and oversee safety protocols in the production environment.
• Ensure all team members are trained in appropriate safety procedures.

Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Identify opportunities to reduce production waste and improve environmental sustainability.
• Implement eco-friendly packaging solutions or energy-efficient production practices.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in spreadsheet tools (e.g., Google Sheets/Excel) for data analysis and yield calculations.
• Experience using ShipStation for shipment management.
• Strong understanding of inventory management software; experience with Cin7 preferred.

Experience:

• 5-7 years of experience managing production/manufacturing operations.
• Prior experience in electronics manufacturing, preferably consumer electronics.
• Experience in a hands-on role with day-to-day involvement in production operations.
• Experience with supply chain MRP, IMS, Manufacturing Order information systems. We use Cin7.

Qualities:

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate with both engineers and production operators.
• Outgoing, confident leadership style that encourages teamwork and accountability.
• Excellent organizational skills with a proactive approach to scheduling and resource management.
• Practical problem-solving skills and a hands-on mindset to navigate a dynamic production environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining focus on key deliverables.