The Supply Chain Manager is the leader in developing Forsee Power’s North American Supply Chain, reporting to the Plant Manager.  Their mission is to contribute functional expertise in close collaboration with their senior leadership team colleagues to achieve Forsee Power North America’s overarching objectives. The Supply Chain Manager shall perform all duties in a manner consistent with Forsee Power’s Values and Code of Conduct.

This role is accountable for strategic sourcing, tactical supply chain (day-to-day buying), inbound & outbound logistics, and warehousing/material movement within the manufacturing facility.

The Supply Chain Manager’s first order of business will be to take responsibility for leading the development and execution of strategic sourcing strategies within the North America region and management of purchasing commodities in support of production and non-production needs. This will include the localization of components designed in France and to be sourced in North America/Mexico in alignment with the purchasing and cost and quality objectives of the North America plant industrialization project.   In Parallel, the Supply Chain Manager will establish inbound component logistic flows and begin to build-out the warehousing team.

Scope of responsibility includes duties customary to the role, such as:

• Manage the complete sourcing process for production commodities (mechanical parts, busbars, cables, harnesses, screws, dielectric and thermal insulation, etc.), by utilizing the list of parts/components designed by R&D in France (BOM), and source the various possible suppliers.
• Responsible for all Freight/logistics activities for the North American operations.
• Manage the warehousing team (receiving, shipping, forklift drivers, etc).
• Manage the complete sourcing process for non-production commodities (computer equipment, office supplies, tools, production supplies, services, etc.), looking for the most relevant local suppliers, in terms of purchase costs (TCO), quality, lead times and best payment terms.
• In collaboration with Global Quality department, responsible for the proper qualification of suppliers (RFI and qualification audit).
• Ensure the legal and financial protection of Forsee Power by formalizing supplier contracts (NDA, code of conduct, General Terms of Purchase, Quality requirements, Logistic requirements).
• Select suppliers and make RFQs to get cost/time quotes for parts according to the initial bill of materials (BOM) in phase with the project gate, then negotiate the conditions and choose the most relevant supplier in terms of cost/quality/time/payment conditions.
• Configure vendor profiles in ERP system (Navision) per company guidelines. Enter orders in ERP system and send them to the suppliers. Follow up on orders (retrieve order acknowledgement and enter the delivery date in Navision).
• Follow up with suppliers to ensure that they meet the confirmed delivery date. Then make the receipt in Navision and send the invoice to the French Accounting Department to proceed with the payment.
• Actively participate in the design to cost process with the development teams and suppliers, to propose alternatives that reduce the purchase price.
• Negotiate the best purchasing conditions (Proto/Pre-series/Series) based on the R&D Office technical specifications.
• Prepare the purchasing deliverables necessary for the passage of the US localization project gates.
• Settle disputes with suppliers.
• Collect and monitor KPIs related to project and series purchasing and implement the corresponding corrective action plan if necessary.
• In collaboration with the central industrialization and project teams, ensure the efficient and timely launch of new products and projects.
• Ensure efficient supply chain, upstream and downstream.
• Monitor and manage various business Metrics such as: on-time delivery, inventory levels, freight costs, PPV, staffing, vendor cost reduction.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Knowledge and understanding of procurement, negotiations, and vendor management.
• Prior experience leading people (supervisor, etc.).
• Knowledge of assembly processes (mechanical or electronic).
• Mastery of negotiation techniques and the various methods of consulting service providers (calls for tender, referencing, etc.) and cost breakdowns.
• Experience with enterprise resource planning software (ERP). Experience with Navision a plus.
• Mastery of the Microsoft Office package (Excel in particular).
• Knowledge of MS project is a plus.
• Technical knowledge of component drawings and specifications.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Advanced analytical skills.
• Familiarity with laws and regulations.
• Know how to evaluate risks.
• Exceptional writing skills.
• Experience working for a global company a plus.
• Global supply chain experience including knowledge of Tariffs and import/export regulations.
• Experience and wisdom to anticipate obstacles and challenges which lie ahead.
• Continuous improvement techniques (Kaizen, etc.).
• “Firefighting” and crisis management, remaining calm under pressure.
• Responsiveness to quickly solve problems and sense of anticipation.
• Balance rigor and discipline with flexibility and creativity, as the situation warrants.
• Ability to work within “start-up” company constraints.

Personal Characteristics:

• Autonomous, creative, rigorous, with very good analytical skills.
• Pro-active and result-oriented.
• Possesses a personal connection to Forsee Power’s mission.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to bridge strategy to action.
• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Values diversity of culture, gender, etc.
• Adaptability and open-mindedness.
• Operates effectively in a matrix organization.
• Leads effectively across functional silos and cultures.
• Comfortable with ambiguity.
• Strong business acumen and financially savvy.
• Fluent in English, French speaking is a plus.

Strong candidate likely has:

• 7+ years of relevant experience in supply chain or procurement.
• A diverse background of executing strategic and tactical supply functions.
• Experience leading people.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or engineering, preferred.
• Resides in the greater Columbus, Ohio area.