Sr. Supply Chain Manager, Returnables

About the role

The returnable packaging team manages packaging assets used to move parts between suppliers and Tesla factories. As a Supply Chain Manager you will have end‑to‑end responsibility for returnable packaging operations, develop business cases to justify capex investments, launch new packaging programs, and ensure operational success of the packaging fleet. This strategic supply‑chain role interacts with suppliers, Finance, Material Planning, Logistics, Global Supply Management, Packaging Engineering, and Production Control to run returnable packaging programs at optimal efficiency for cost optimization. Flexibility and adaptability are key, and the role requires strong analytical, project‑management, and leadership skills to handle detailed and strategic activities across the organization. A strong background in supply‑chain/logistics processes and related IT solutions is essential.

Responsibilities

• Review Tesla’s returnable packaging requirements for existing and new programs.
• Identify investment opportunities to optimize packaging cost.
• Develop business cases and ROI models for packaging‑related investments and present them to finance and leadership for approval.
• Ensure optimal flow of returnable packaging containers through the supply chain to eliminate backup expendable‑packaging cost.
• Create, improve, and deploy returnables packaging operation processes.
• Identify common packaging supply‑chain failure modes, determine appropriate responses, and drive resolution in collaboration with internal teams and external suppliers.
• Work with cross‑functional stakeholders such as sourcing and packaging engineering teams to define project priorities.

Qualifications

• Degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, or equivalent experience with evidence of exceptional ability.
• 3–5 years of professional experience in supply chain, manufacturing, or other process‑critical operations in a fast‑paced environment.
• Analytics savvy with strong proficiency in Excel and knowledge of SQL, Tableau, or other analytics tools.
• Ability to effectively communicate and work with people at all levels of the organization and with suppliers, including handling difficult conversations.
• Ability to evaluate and analyze data to enable operational decision‑making or present clear recommendations to leadership.
• Lateral thinker with exceptional judgment—able to develop processes, drive schedules, and quickly change direction when needed.
• Passionate and relentless in following up on issues until final resolution and sustained process improvements are deployed and verified.

Benefits

• Competitive pay.
• Medical plans with $0 payroll deduction options.
• Family‑building, fertility, adoption, and surrogacy benefits.
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans with $0 paycheck contribution options.
• Company‑paid Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution when enrolled in the high‑deductible medical plan.
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• 401(k) with employer match.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plans and other financial benefits.
• Company‑paid Basic Life and AD&D insurance.
• Short‑term and long‑term disability insurance (90‑day waiting period).
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Sick and vacation time (flex time for salaried positions, accrued hours for hourly positions) and paid holidays.
• Backup childcare and parenting support resources.
• Voluntary benefits including critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance.
• Weight loss and tobacco cessation programs.
• Tesla Babies program.
• Commuter benefits.
• Employee discounts and perks program.