NPD Supply Chain Manager

Ichor is an experienced leader in the critical subsystems and turnkey process equipment marketplace, offering world-class process engineering, value-added manufacturing, materials management, and testing capabilities. Our 1,500+ employees are strategically located to provide high-level customer service and support from program management, sales, engineering, and executive management teams.

About the role

This versatile, broad-based, highly matrixed operations role is an opportunity to develop and own a supply chain that optimizes delivery, cash flow, and the cost of goods sold for assigned commodities, products, or projects. Candidates will support key initiatives in one or more of three key functions: Supplier Management, Supply Chain Project Management, and New Product Development.

Role requires 10% annual travel, domestic and international.

Responsibilities

• Supplier Management
  • Develops commodity strategies and oversees the selection and management of suppliers in line with the strategy.
  • Manages key supplier relationships, focusing on cost optimization, continuity of supply, and resolution of problems.
  • Ensures adequate capacity in the supply chain for assigned commodities/suppliers, coordinating forecasts, and addressing end-of-life requirements.
  • Defines sourcing contracts/supply agreements, ensuring alignment with flow-down requirements, capacity, cost, and commercial needs.
  • Implements Demand Driven MRP (DDMRP) programs such as Kanban and safety stock replenishment contracts, including analysis, ERP system setup, and contractual alignment.
  • Collaborates with relevant functions on first article plans for second sourcing and initial qualification.
  • Oversees supplier management process, improving key supplier performance metrics through audits, qualifications, scorecards, and improvement plans.
• Supply Chain Project Management
  • Identifies or is assigned to lead continuous improvement opportunities across the global supply chain.
  • Drives process improvements and resolves complex supply chain issues.
• New Product Development
  • Ensures NPD BOM items are purchased at lead time, coordinating demand load with Business Units and Planning (MRP, Independent demand, or Indirect Purchase Requisitions).
  • Provides sourcing direction and coordinates RFQ packages with the support of Buyers and Global Supply Managers.
  • Coordinates PO tracking through Buyers.
  • Performs ECO analysis, approval, and coordination of implementation to the supply chain for new products.
  • Ensures pre-BOM alignment on product structure and related sourcing strategy for commodities and lead times, documented as the plan of record.
  • Participates in defining engineering milestones for design completion (aligned to build plan) for sub-assemblies, commodities, and cost reduction opportunities.
  • Works with Manufacturing Engineering to set up BOM structures and sourcing parameters.
  • On assigned products, responsible for tracking and driving cost reduction plans, including optimization of cost for turnkey assemblies and developing product-specific cost reduction roadmaps.
  • Understands, demonstrates, diagrams, and measures all value-add activities in a product’s value chain.
• Leadership
  • Within project teams, fosters a culture of accountability and commitment to stated goals and objectives.
  • Ensures an organizational culture of transparent communication, early visibility/escalation of issues, and urgency for corrective action by emphasizing root cause understanding and continuous improvement.

Key Metrics

• Supply base consolidation and optimization
• On-time delivery
• New product time to market
• Measurable improvements in operational efficiencies
• Supplier On-Time Delivery (OTD)
• Material Availability
• Lead Time Reduction
• Cost Reduction / Cost Avoidance
• Supplier Quality Performance
• Dual Source Qualification Completion
• Product Gross Margin Improvement
• Supply Chain Risk Mitigation

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or Engineering; MBA preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in supply chain, operations, procurement, planning, or New Product Development (NPD) environments; 10+ years of progressive operations and supply chain experience strongly preferred.
• Experience across several operational disciplines in a new product development environment, with expertise in at least two of the following: procurement, planning, production management, master scheduling, factory engineering, logistics, and program management.
• Strong understanding of contract manufacturing environment and management of global commodity strategies through a third-party provider.
• Proven record of managing and driving Continuous Process Improvement activities.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify root cause for action/resolution.
• Due to ITAR regulations, only US Persons (citizens, nationals, refugees, or lawful permanent residents with a "green card") are eligible for hire. Individuals with temporary visas are not eligible.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain executive-level relationships with suppliers of assigned commodities.
• Strong leadership, self-motivation, proactivity, attention to detail, and results-driven mindset.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams, including technical decision-makers.
• Complete knowledge of all aspects of purchasing, supplier selection, cost analysis and negotiation, planning, master scheduling, and program management.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Contract management, negotiation, and implementation skills.
• Ability to concisely communicate escalations, requirements, and issues to suppliers, stakeholders, peers, and upper management with clarity.
• Experience working in ERP & PLM systems; Oracle & Agile preferred.

Pay

For candidates based in Minnesota: The pay range for this position is $72,000 to $122,400 per year. Pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Individual pay is based on work location and additional job-related factors, including knowledge, skills, experience, tenure, and relevant education or training.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans across all locations, allowing team members to select coverage that best meets their healthcare needs and budget.
• Paid time-off program and paid holidays to support work-life balance.