Director of Supply Chain - Capital Equipment / NPI

Director, Supply Chain - North America Northwest Chicago Suburbs, IL (onsite) | Semiconductor and Precision Capital Equipment

About the opportunity Our client, a global manufacturer of precision semiconductor and industrial capital equipment, is building its North American supply chain from the ground up. The company's European operation is mature and stable; the U.S. business is growing fast, with three new product lines launching and a growing Advanced Packaging portfolio. This is a chance to design the supply chain, pick the partners, build the team and lead an SAP implementation, inside an engineering-driven company where a new product challenge comes up almost every day.

What you will do

• Build the U.S. supply chain for new product launches, from prototype and NPI through production ramp, sustaining production and aftermarket support.
• Select, qualify and manage contract manufacturers, mostly international. This includes sourcing a new contract manufacturing partner for Advanced Packaging and supporting the transfer of an existing product line to an international partner.
• Lead and grow the buyer team (3 buyers today across two U.S. sites), supporting an engineering organization of about 25 engineers.
• Partner closely with engineering teams across the U.S., India and China. Bring data and options, influence design and supplier choices, and drive Design for Supply Chain, Manufacturability and Cost.
• Own sourcing strategy for mechanical, electrical, motion-control, precision-machined and fabricated components and assemblies. Drive negotiations, second sourcing and supply continuity.
• Reduce spend (about $10M to $20M annually) and improve material availability, inventory turns and E&O.
• Support the ERP transition to SAP.
• Ensure spare parts, consumables and upgrade kits are available for aftermarket and service customers.

What you bring

• 10+ years in supply chain, procurement or operations, with people leadership experience. Strong senior managers ready to step into their first Director role are encouraged to apply.
• Hands-on experience in each of these:
• Contract manufacturing, ideally international
• NPI: taking a product from prototype to production
• Machine build: large, complex systems or capital equipment, not just components
• Aftermarket and service parts experience.
• Ability to read blueprints and engineering drawings. An engineering degree is not required.
• Clean room or semiconductor equipment experience strongly preferred. Machine tool, precision automation and other complex engineered equipment backgrounds are welcome.
• ERP/MRP experience (SAP a plus), plus engineering change and configuration control.
• A hungry, nimble leader who learns on the fly, does what is needed and earns credibility with engineers.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business or a related field.
• Willingness to travel about 25%, including to Asia.

Compensation and benefits Base salary $150,000 to $200,000, plus annual bonus 20% target, full benefit. Final pay depends on experience and qualifications.