Summary:
The NPI SCM Project Manager will play a pivotal role in overseeing the New Product Introduction (NPI) supply chain processes within our manufacturing operations in Lebanon, Tennessee. They will be responsible for leading New Product Introduction (NPI) supply chain activities, ensuring new products are introduced smoothly and on schedule by coordinating supplier readiness, material availability, and cross-functional alignment. The role requires a highly collaborative individual
with deep knowledge of supply chain operations and NPI processes who can apply a structured project management approach across complex, multi-stakeholder programs. The incumbent will need to be both strategic and execution-focused, driving accountability across Engineering, Procurement, Operations, and external supply partners to achieve desired outcomes in terms of time, cost & quality.
Responsibilities:
- Lead end-to-end NPI supply chain program management, including material readiness
planning, supplier qualification, and on-time delivery of components required
for prototype and production builds.
- Partner with Engineering, Product Management, and Manufacturing teams to develop and
maintain integrated NPI project schedules, identifying critical path milestones
and resolving supply chain risks.
- Drive supplier engagement and readiness activities, including early supplier
involvement (ESI), tooling kick-offs, PPAP/FAI coordination, and capacity
confirmation.
- Develop and maintain SCM-specific NPI dashboards and KPIs to track supplier
performance, part readiness, and build readiness; escalate issues to leadership
as needed.
- Coordinate with Procurement to ensure timely sourcing of new components, establishing
preferred supplier relationships and managing dual-source strategies where
appropriate.
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks associated with NPI programs, including
long-lead items, single-source dependencies, and supplier financial or
operational constraints.
- Manage Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and their impact to the supply base,
coordinating obsolescence management and ensuring continuity of supply during
transitions.
- Support Make vs. Buy analysis and supply chain network design decisions for new
products in conjunction with cross-functional stakeholders.
- Lead supplier business reviews for NPI-related suppliers, tracking DPPM, on-time
delivery, and responsiveness metrics through the product introduction
lifecycle.
- Collaborate with the Quality team to ensure supplier quality requirements are communicated,
understood, and met prior to production ramp.
- Drive continuous improvement of NPI supply chain processes, templates, and tools to
reduce time-to-market and improve first-build success rates.
- Support transition from NPI to mass production (MP), ensuring supply chain hand-off is
complete with all supplier agreements, lead times, and inventory strategies in
place.
Qualifications:
- 5+ years' experience in supply chain, procurement, or operations roles with direct
NPI or product launch responsibility.
- 3 + years' experience managing cross-functional projects with demonstrated use of
structured project management tools and methodologies (e.g., APQP, PPAP,
Agile/Stage-Gate).
- 3+ years' experience working with contract manufacturers, ODMs, or direct material
suppliers in a hardware/electronics manufacturing environment.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; experience with tools such as 8D, 5 Why,
Fishbone, and FMEA.
- Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent) and MS Office Suite, with
advanced Excel skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, communicate effectively across levels,
and influence without direct authority.
Tritium is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We at Tritium believe in equal opportunity for all applicants and employees without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other legally protected characteristics.
