Operation Lead

Job Description

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Power to Hydrogen is seeking a skilled and motivated Operations Lead to join our team and help commercialize our next generation Anion ExchangeMembrane (AEM) Electrolyzers. The Operations Lead is a critical operational role at Power to Hydrogen, responsible for the end-to-end flow of materials, components, and finished systems — from initial sourcing through delivery to the customer or field site. This person sits at the intersection of procurement, quality assurance, inventory management, production scheduling, shipping and receiving, and ERP implementation, and serves as the connective tissue between our engineering team our supply chain. The ideal candidate is highly organized, comfortable with ambiguity, and motivated by the challenge of building operational systems from scratch in a fast-moving startup environment.

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Procurement

Source, evaluate, and qualify suppliers for raw materials, mechanical and electrical components, specialty chemicals, and indirect goods required for electrolyzer manufacturing and R&D

Issue and manage purchase orders; track open orders against delivery commitments and escalate delays proactively

Negotiate pricing, lead times, and terms with suppliers; build and maintain a preferred vendor list

Identify opportunities to reduce cost and lead time through dual-sourcing, blanket orders, or vendor consolidation

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Quality Assurance

Develop and maintain incoming inspection procedures for purchased components and materials

Perform or coordinate receiving inspections; document non-conformances and drive corrective action with suppliers

Maintain certificates of conformance, material test reports, and other quality records required for traceability

Support internal quality audits and assist engineering in root cause analysis for field or production failures linked to supplied materials

Collaborate with engineering to translate design specifications into clear procurement requirements and acceptable quality standards

Track and report supplier quality metrics; escalate chronic issues and support supplier improvement initiatives

Inventory Management

Own the accuracy and organization of the company's parts and materials inventory system - physical counts, system records, and storage locations

Implement and maintain inventory management processes including cycle counting, min/max replenishment, and kitting for production builds

Manage tooling and capital equipment records

Coordinate with the operations team on material readiness for scheduled builds and prevent shortages from impacting production

Establish and enforce labeling, storage, and handling standards appropriate for the company's materials (including hazardous or sensitive items)

Identify and disposition obsolete, damaged, or excess inventory

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Production Scheduling

Develop and maintain the master production schedule in coordination with engineering, operations, and leadership

Track component availability and flag risks to build timelines; work procurement and inventory levers to keep schedules on track

Communicate schedule status and changes clearly to internal stakeholders

Coordinate with external fabricators, assemblers, or test facilities where work is performed off-site

Maintain project tracking tools and provide regular reporting on key milestones, open actions, and delivery commitments

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Shipping and Receiving

Manage all inbound and outbound shipments - domestic parcel, LTL/FTL freight, and international ocean or air cargo - from booking through proof of delivery

Prepare and review export documentation - commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin, shipper's letters of instruction - in compliance withUS export regulations and destination country import requirements

Ensure compliance with US Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and ITAR requirements as applicable; maintain export records in accordance with regulatory retention requirements

Perform receiving functions: verify incoming shipments against purchase orders and packing documentation, inspect for damage, record discrepancies, and route materials to appropriate storage or inspection areas

Coordinate scheduling of inbound deliveries and outbound pickups with carriers and internal operations staff

Maintain shipping supply inventory (cartons, pallet materials, labels, dunnage) and ensure the shipping and receiving area is organized, safe, and audit-ready

Track shipments in transit and proactively communicate status and exceptions to internal stakeholders

Manage relationships with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and carriers for domestic and international shipments (including containerized equipment exports)

️ Desired Qualifications/Skills

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Required

4–8 years of experience in supply chain, logistics, procurement, or operations - preferably in a manufacturing, industrial, or engineering environment

Working knowledge of procurement processes: RFQs, purchase orders, supplier negotiation, and vendor management

Experience with inventory management principles and practices (cycle counting, MRP/ERP systems, kitting)

Hands-on experience with shipping and receiving functions, including preparation and verification of freight documentation

Familiarity with domestic freight logistics (parcel, LTL, FTL) and standard shipping paperwork

Prior involvement with an ERP system (any platform)

Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities without dropping details

Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace; comfort learning and administering new software tools

Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills

Preferred

Experience with international freight and export compliance (EEI/AES filing via ACE, Incoterms, HS/Schedule B codes, customs brokerage coordination), including ExportAdministration Regulations (EAR) and documentation best practices

Background in a startup, R&D, or early-stage manufacturing environment where processes are still being built

Experience leading or project-managing an ERP selection and implementation from requirements definition through go-live

Familiarity with ERP or inventory management software (QuickBooks, Fishbowl, NetSuite, Odoo, or similar)

Exposure to mechanical or electrical component sourcing - connectors, tubing, fittings, instrumentation, power electronics, or similar

Knowledge of quality management principles (ISO 9001, AS9100, or comparable framework)

Experience with hazardous materials handling, storage, or shipping documentation (IATA, IMDG, DOT)

Full-time