Head of Supplier Integration

over 2 years ago
Full time role
Waltham, MA, US... more
Waltham, MA, US... more

Company

The world needs a fundamentally new source of clean energy to meet our growing energy demands and combat climate change. ...

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Job Description

Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) is the surest path to limitless, clean fusion energy. Our mission is to enable world-wide clean energy for everyone, creating a sustainable environment for current and future generations. We have created a credible path to an operating fusion power plant in 15 years which leverages our novel collaboration with MIT and funding from strategic and financial investors who share our vision. This begins by developing a new class of high-field superconducting magnets that will enable the SPARC tokamak to demonstrate net energy from fusion for the first time. To execute this plan, we are now looking to add talented people to the team who are mission-driven and treat people well, improve our team by adding diverse perspectives and new ways of solving problems, have demonstrated exceptional results through a range of different pursuits, and have skillsets and experience that relate to this role.
The role of the Supplier Integration Management team is to integrate suppliers into the SPARC project from the early stages of product design, ensure flawless execution of the procurement contracts and optimize schedule, cost, and quality. The Head of Supplier Integration leads the team in charge of supply chain activities for a group of systems: strategic sourcing, tactical procurement, supplier management and supplier development. They build and develop the team of the Supplier Integration Managers embedded within the project teams and are accountable for meeting the internal customers’ needs by selecting the best sources within the assigned budget for each system, managing contracts and orders, and overseeing suppliers’ activities from order to delivery and support. The Head of Supplier Integration is a working manager role, and will be hands on in the development, implementation, and execution of sourcing strategies for SPARC and beyond. 
Travel to supplier locations will be required, up to 50%.

Primary responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, for the group of systems under their responsibility as a team manager:

  • Recruit, train, support, develop and coach the members of the team which includes the supplier integration manager, associate buyer, buyer, senior buyer, supplier quality engineers, and the supplier development engineers
  • Have management responsibility for meeting cost, quality and delivery objectives
  • In close coordination with the engineering head for the group of systems, plan and assign work, manage the workload and define priorities as required
  • Select and manage contractors to be added to the team for specific tasks/projects
  • Act as an escalation point to solve issues
  • Ensure process adherence for strategic sourcing
  • Ensure purchase orders are placed and managed by the tactical buyer(s)
  • Set up the required level of supplier oversight through a network of supplier quality managers (contractors and/or CFS employees)
  • Coordinate planning and scheduling activities with the assigned planner in a matrixed organization (functionally reporting to the head of Inventory and Supply Planning team)
  • Report out on project status, risks and issues to the supply chain and the systems leadership teams.

Primary responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, for the systems under their direct responsibility as a Supplier Integration Manager:

  • Act as a primary strategic sourcing expert for their assigned engineering teams, focused primarily on new products and Design for Manufacturability activities
  • Own the costed bill of materials for purchased components and co-lead executive cost reviews
  • Own and drive the make/buy process for their respective engineering team
  • Develop both a short and long-term product specific sourcing strategy and drive execution, coordinating cross-functionally to ensure project success
  • Investigate, evaluate, and recommend new and/or alternate sources of supply as necessary to support new product development, cost reduction requirements, and/or to improve supplier performance
  • Create, review, and/or approve purchase orders up to authorized limits for raw materials, parts, subassemblies, finished goods, equipment, tooling, supplies, and/or services from suppliers in support of engineering customer requirements
  • Interpret technical requirements and estimate cost, lead times, manufacturing techniques, and identify the best value supplier
  • Skillfully balance the price, delivery, quality, service, and value tradeoffs and rationalize the supply base
  • Adhere to all supply chain policies, procedures, guidelines and instructions including those regarding the procurement of materials, intellectual property, and export compliance
  • Negotiate short and long-term agreements for raw materials, parts, subassemblies, finished goods, equipment, tooling, supplies, and/or services from suppliers
  • Create or review statements of work
  • Purchase in both MRP and project/purchase requisition-oriented type environments under departmental guidelines
  • Negotiate internally and externally at all levels or with persons of influence frequently
  • Develop, monitor, and report risk mitigation strategies
  • Develop and track reporting against objectives and results

The ideal candidate will have most, if not all, of these requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in the field of Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Finance or other related field (preferred)
  • Master’s degree or MBA (preferred)
  • 10+ years’ related work experience in a manufacturing environment
  • Demonstrated ability to work hand-in-hand with design and manufacturing teams from requirements definition to source selection: gather, challenge and interpret requirements in a wide variety of technical fields, coordinate costs and lead times estimation, and lead the team towards the selection of best value supplier(s)
  • Proven experience in supporting critical new product introduction activities for highly technical products, managing suppliers during the contract execution and support phases
  • Demonstrated ability to negotiate procurement contracts with suppliers in multi-cultural context
  • Experience working with or in tactical procurement: managing order placement and fulfillment, line of balance, etc.
  • Exceptional technical understanding of the commodities and systems under their management
  • Previous experience in a start-up or high growth environment managing a team is preferred
  • Previous experience sourcing engineering services, compressors, valves, tubes and pipes, scientific equipment is preferred
  • Technical and cost knowledge of cryogenic systems, vacuum pumping systems, gas management systems is preferred
  • Experience with financial control systems or cost accounting structures is preferred

Additional experience and/or qualifications:

  • Ability to read, understand and interpret blueprints/drawings, specifications and statements of work
  • Exceptional understanding of strategic sourcing skills and tools
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills in a matrixed team environment
  • Comfortable working in a global environment across time zones and cultures
  • Strong communications and relationship building skills
  • Organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize work to meet the business needs
  • Customer service mindset and entrepreneurial spirit
  • Remarkable problem-solving skills
  • Excellent critical thinking and judgement, with the ability to make and execute on decisions
  • Deep understanding of procurement contract structures and clauses
  • General understanding of enterprise quality system functionality (e.g., ISO 9000, AS9100, TS16949, etc.)
  • General understanding of ERP systems and MRP logic
  • Experience with MS Office
  • Demonstrate integrity, respect, commitment to excellence, collaboration, creativity and agility
  • Ability to work well in high-pressure environment.
  • Ability to work over extended periods of computer work either standing or sitting
  • Ability to work over extended periods of phone or teleconference work
CFS team members thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and have demonstrated exceptional results through a range of different pursuits. We all tightly align with our company values of integrity, execution, impact and self-critique. As we grow, we are looking to add talented people who are mission driven and bring diverse perspectives and new ways of solving problems.
At CFS, we deeply value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

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