Associate Director Supply Chain

The Associate Director Supply Chain will lead the supply chain organization. This role is responsible for the strategy and management of Sales and Operation Planning, strategic sourcing, procurement, inventory optimization, production scheduling, and shipment for on-time delivery to contribute to customer satisfaction, revenue generation and profitability.

Essential Functions and Main Duties

Lead Demand Forecasting, analyzing all demand factors including sales pipeline, backlog, sales promotions, product life cycle events like launches or retirements, and historical trends. Manage monthly demand planning process with all stakeholders (sales, marketing, project management, and service). Use forecast accuracy measurements for continual improvement.

Lead Supply Planning, updating latest demand, inventory, reorder points, and planned supply to update supply requirements and checking for supply challenges and leading improvement projects.

Lead consolidated Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process with commercial and operations leadership to provide a clear and concise view of mid-term demand, inventory, and supply, the performance of each, and take decisions to manage challenges and continually optimize the process.

Communicate and manage requirements with Global Supply Chain Management (SCM) at NK Corporate, other NK suppliers like OrangeMed, Digital Health Solutions, and Neurotronics, and other suppliers. For NKC and other NK suppliers lead monthly reviews and participate in wider calls to optimize planning and inventory.

Optimize inventory levels to meet market needs, maximizing availability while minimizing inventory to meet inventory targets. Lead monthly inventory and backlog reviews, including metric-based management and closed loop action trackers, with key stakeholders for continual improvement.

Develop and maintain a system to identify, select, and proactively manage suppliers to secure stable supply availability and optimize quality and cost, assuring the highest level of ethics and conduct and including the growth of sourcing with government required businesses like veteran owned businesses.

Manage the procurement of materials, including the issuance of purchase orders and follow up to maximize on-time inbound delivery.

Maintain a good relationship with suppliers and global Supply Chain Management (SCM) at headquarters in Japan and drive efficient and effective communication for solving issues with supply chain such as production and shipping delays, minimizing inventory levels and shipping costs, including a weekly status call with Global SCM.

Measure and lead improvement in supply processes, including those at the fulfillment center, from print to delivery to assure on time delivery as per the committed delivery date and to minimize outbound shipping costs.

Coordinate operational aspects of introducing new products and sunsetting others with product managers and other departments.

Partner with IT to enable automation, enable visibility to drive process innovation and efficiencies.

Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen principles to reengineer processes as necessary. Define continuous improvement projects involving and influenced by supply chain analytics.

Establish a strong data visualization practice internally to develop, implement and manage the supply chain dashboard.

Select, manage, develop, and hold accountable team members to meet department deliverables and responsibilities. Complete company people management requirements and leadership competencies.

Adhere to all company policies, procedures, and business ethics codes.

Duties may be modified or assigned at any time based on business need.

Qualifications

Education / Certification / Experience Required

Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain management, or related discipline; relevant education and experience accepted in lieu of degree

APICS certification preferred

Lean Six Sigma certification preferred

5+ years of management experience in Supply Chain, Production or Operations

5+ years of experience of people management experience, including demonstrated results and skills, driving results through others, leading teams or projects, and providing training

Japanese language ability preferred

Prior experience working with Microsoft Excel, Salesforce, and ERP Software (SAP) preferred

Level and compensation depend on location, experience, education and skills

Competencies Required

Ability to lead large cross-functional projects and develop this competency within the team

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to effectively engage with staff to resolve issues (and preferably coach the team) to achieve goals. Is also curious and has high learning ability

Results-oriented with passion, drive, and dedication to operational excellence and a can-do, positive spirit to exceed goals and commitments for self and team

Strong leadership skills and prior success leading by influence in a matrixed organization

Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, organizational, motivational, and strategy formulation skills

Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing, and to receive and understand verbal and written instructions in English

Able to work effectively both independently and in a collaborative team environment

Compensation

The anticipated range for this position is $130,000 to $182,000. Actual placement within the range is dependent on multiple factors, including but not limited to skills, education, experience and location.

Perks and Benefits

Visit our Career page to learn more about Perks & Benefits and working at Nihon Kohden America

Working Conditions

Schedule: The regular hours for this full-time position are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday, unless otherwise stated by the department manager. Holiday, weekend, and evening work hours may be required. Regular hours may vary due to the needs of the organization or department and are subject to change at any time at the Company’s discretion.

Physical: Generally may require some reaching, bending, stooping, squatting, crawling, kneeling, pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying up to 25 pounds, finger dexterity, repetitive motions, standing, walking, sitting, hearing, visual acuity, and color vision. More specific details may be provided as needed or requested.

Travel: Approximately 10%

Access to Customer Sites: Not Required

Nihon Kohden America is committed to maintaining a professional and respectful workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, and business needs, without regard to legally protected characteristics. This policy applies to all employment actions, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, training, and other workplace practices.

Nihon Kohden America complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity. Employees and applicants will not be subject to harassment or retaliation for asserting their legal rights. Questions or concerns regarding this policy may be directed to Human Resources at .