Director, Supply Chain and Operations

We are Brain Corp and we enable smarter operations. We set out to create the most intelligent tools ever, and now we power the world’s largest fleet of robots operating in commercial public spaces. By injecting intelligence into our customers' operations, we transform manual operations into automated workflows, making the lives of people safer, easier and more productive. Our robots are running around thousands of stores, schools, warehouses, hospitals, offices, airports and more, solving practical challenges with revolutionary solutions. For more information on how we are turning robots into tools that serve a purpose and to learn how you can become a brainiac, please visit: https://www.braincorp.com/.

We are seeking a Director of Supply Chain and Operations to join our team and help us lead the way in the robotics industry. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in supply chain management, operations, and team leadership in electronics manufacturing environments, with deep experience in building and maintaining OEM and supplier partnerships. They will be responsible for developing and executing our supply chain and operational strategy, as well as our manufacturing staff. Our products are manufactured with strategic Contract Manufacturers and maintaining strong relationships is a key aspect of the position. The Director of Supply Chain and Operations will also be responsible for ensuring that our products, including the end products of our key OEM partners that are Powered by BrainOS, meet the highest quality standards and are delivered on time and on budget.

Please Note: This role requires being onsite at our San Diego location fulltime. Relocation is offered for this position.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for cultivating, enhancing, and managing relationships with vendors, suppliers, and OEM partners.
• Identify key partners and establish collaborative, mutually beneficial partnerships that align with the company's goals.
• Regularly communicate with vendors, suppliers, and OEMs to foster strong relationships and ensure alignment on expectations.
• Collaborate with the procurement team to identify strategic sourcing opportunities that drive cost efficiencies, quality improvements, and innovation.
• Lead negotiations with vendors and suppliers to secure favorable terms, pricing, and service levels.
• Monitor market trends, supplier capabilities, and industry developments to inform sourcing strategies.
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for vendors, suppliers, and OEMs to measure performance, quality, and delivery accuracy.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and address any issues or concerns to ensure continuous improvement.
• Ensure suppliers' adherence to regulatory and compliance standards.
• Identify potential risks within the supply chain related to vendor, supplier, and OEM relationships, and develop mitigation plans.
• Establish contingency plans to address supply disruptions, changes in demand, and other potential challenges.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including operations, logistics, quality assurance, and finance, to ensure seamless integration of supply chain activities.
• Lead and influence teams to achieve supply chain excellence through effective communication, coordination, and goal alignment.
• Continuously assess and optimize supply chain processes, identifying areas for efficiency gains, cost reduction, and enhanced supplier collaboration.
• Implement best practices and technologies to streamline operations and drive continuous improvement.
• Lead key aspects of the company’s manufacturing process, including new product releases, engineering changes, purchasing, and logistics.
• Work closely with the R&D group to understand new product technologies and transfer these to manufacturing by establishing procedures for product release to production.
• Act as site director of our second location and manage a team of technicians, engineers, and specialists, including the delegation of work, performance management, and upskilling as needed.
• Manage MRP, inventory, and other manufacturing and production planning systems.
• Develop a production plan and schedule by planning demand based on forecast interfacing with marketing and business development departments.
• Define and implement production control systems, such as quality measurement and continuous improvement methods.  
• Manage all logistics processes for finished goods, including demand planning, customer fulfillment, shipping, and customer returns.
• Collaborate with leadership cross-functionally to ensure timely delivery and align production operations to accomplish strategic company goals.
• Financial planning and analysis - effectively forecast and meet cost targets.
• Manage RMA and warrant processes: track NCRs, RMAs, Warranties, and quality trends.
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Education and/or Work Experience Requirements: 

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business, or related fields and MBA preferred.
• Minimum 7 years in Supply Chain and Operations leadership roles, preferably in the electronics manufacturing industry.
• Experience successfully moving products from prototype stages to full-volume production with manufacturing partners.  
• Experience with inventory control systems such as Netsuite, Quickbooks, Fishbowl, Microsoft Dynamics, or other ERP systems.
• Experience with Product Lifecycle Management systems such as Arena.
• Experience building a successful operations team, quality assurance, manufacturing engineering, document control, logistics, planning, and production control. 
• Demonstrated track record evaluating and qualifying vendors, managing vendor relationships, qualifying vendor processes, and developing methods to ensure continued vendor performance domestically and abroad. 
• Experience in developing and managing partner relationships (OEM, ODM, Supplier, Customer)
• First-hand experience negotiating contracts, product costs, and delivery schedules with vendors and manufacturing partners.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics: 

• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with a track record of optimizing supply chain processes and enhancing operational efficiency.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively across departments and with external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.
• Proficiency in supply chain management software and tools
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex data and make informed decisions.
• Experienced in financial planning and analysis as it relates to inventory control, RMAs, and warranty as well as experience with  Value Analysis and Value Engineering (VA/VE).

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Essential functions may require maintaining the physical condition necessary for sitting, walking or standing for periods of time; operating a computer and keyboard; use of hands to finger and grasp; talk and hear at normal room levels; visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned or to make general observations of facilities or structures; push or pull up to 20 pounds.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. Employees are exposed to the typical office environment with computers, printers and telephones.

The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in San Diego, California is $151,681 to $196,292. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and length of experience within the job, type and length of experience within the industry, education, etc. Brain Corp is a multi-state employer and this salary range may not reflect positions that work in other states.