5-7 years of experience in supply chain management or related field
Strong technical understanding of electrical and automation components
Proven negotiation skills with suppliers
Experience in project-based manufacturing environments
Familiarity with compliance and regulatory requirements
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Leadership experience in team supervision
Responsibilities
Plan and execute purchasing activities aligned with project schedules
Procure various components while ensuring compatibility and certifications
Establish and manage supplier relationships, negotiating pricing and lead times
Track purchase orders and manage backorders and supplier delays
Maintain visibility of delivery dates against project needs
Manage all material categories and oversee inventory controls
Coordinate logistics for inbound and outbound materials and manage freight costs
Benefits
Opportunities for professional growth and development
Collaborative work environment
Engagement in innovative project-based work
Support for continuous improvement initiatives
Comprehensive training programs
Full Job Description
Supply Chain Lead
The Supply Chain Lead is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing all supply chain activities required to support Ascend Automation & Controls' project-based manufacturing operations. This role ensures the timely, cost-effective, and compliant procurement, handling, and delivery of materials for electrical panels, switchracks, skids, eHouses, and related automation systems.
The position plays a critical role in protecting project schedules and margins, supporting manufacturing execution, and enabling scalable growth across multiple concurrent projects.
Key Responsibilities
Supply Planning and Procurement
Plan and execute purchasing activities based on project schedules and material requirements.
Procure electrical, automation, mechanical, and structural components, demonstrating technical understanding of component ratings, compatibility, and certifications.
Establish and manage supplier relationships, negotiate pricing and lead times, and monitor delivery and quality performance.
Coordinate with Engineering to evaluate substitutions, alternates, and equivalent components.
Backorder and Shortage Management
Track all open purchase orders and identify backorders, partial shipments, and supplier delays.
Maintain visibility of committed delivery dates versus project needs.
Communicate material risks proactively to project, engineering, and manufacturing teams.
Develop and execute mitigation and recovery plans to minimize schedule impact.
Inventory and Materials Control
Manage all material categories, including consumables, stocked inventory, project-specific parts, and customer free-issued materials.
Establish controls for receiving, inspection, kitting, staging, and issuing materials to production.
Supervise the materials receiving, shipping, and handling team, including defining responsibilities and work instructions.
Ensure proper handling, labeling, traceability, and protection of all materials.
Maintain accurate inventory records and minimize excess or obsolete materials.
Production and Project Coordination
Align material availability with manufacturing schedules and production sequencing.
Support multiple concurrent projects in coordination with Engineering, Project Management, and Manufacturing.
Participate in project kickoff meetings to identify supply chain risks early.
Logistics and Transportation
Plan and coordinate inbound and outbound logistics for materials, panels, skids, and fully assembled eHouses.
Manage transportation for oversized and heavy loads, including routing, permitting, and site coordination.
Control freight costs and manage carrier performance and claims.
Compliance and Continuous Improvement
Ensure materials and logistics activities meet project specifications, applicable codes, and regulatory requirements.
Support documentation, traceability, audits, and inspections as required.
Utilize enterprise and project management systems to track purchasing, inventory, and performance.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce cost, lead time, and operational risk.
Interface across Business Lines such as Finance / Accounting, Administration, and Company Leadership.
