Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Ciena is a global leader in high-speed connectivity committed to a people-first approach. The Director of NPI Supply Chain Operations will lead a team responsible for material readiness and supply chain execution from prototype through early production ramp, ensuring new products are introduced smoothly and efficiently.
Responsibilities
- Lead NPI supply chain execution from prototype through early ramp, ensuring material availability, supplier readiness, build schedule alignment, and risk mitigation plans are in place before each major program milestone
- Own the NPI material management process, including prototype material planning, long-lead component identification, clear-to-build readiness, shortage escalation, allocation decisions, and transition planning for early production demand
- Partner with EMS and OEM suppliers to establish executable NPI build plans, material commits, production readiness views, and escalation paths that support prototype builds, pilot builds, qualification builds, and early customer ramps
- Use Kinaxis and Agile/PLM as key operating systems to align demand, supply, BOM maturity, engineering changes, lifecycle status, component availability, and supplier execution across the NPI process
- Drive lifecycle management discipline for new products, including BOM readiness, revision control, phase-in/phase-out planning, end-of-life component risk, material disposition, and readiness for handoff to sustaining supply operations
- Lead cross-functional NPI readiness reviews with Engineering, PLM, Procurement, Commodity Management, Quality, Manufacturing Operations, and Fulfillment teams to identify material risks, resolve constraints, and protect program schedules
- Develop the team’s operating cadence, metrics, and escalation process for NPI material readiness, including clear-to-build status, shortage aging, engineering change impact, supplier commits, inventory exposure, and ramp readiness
- Serve as the supply chain escalation point for prototype-to-ramp material constraints, coordinating recovery plans with internal stakeholders and external manufacturing partners to minimize schedule slips, excess exposure, and customer impact
- Identify and support process improvements that reduce NPI lead times, improve data quality, increase material visibility, and create a scalable operating model for repeatable new product launches
Skills
- Extensive experience in material management, supply planning, procurement, manufacturing operations, or product operations, with a strong focus on new product introduction and outsourced manufacturing execution
- A university degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred
- Demonstrated experience leading NPI supply chain activities from prototype through early ramp, including material readiness, BOM maturity, clear-to-build management, engineering change impact, supplier commits, and transition to sustaining operations
- Experience leading people, building capability in a small team, and influencing cross-functional stakeholders across Engineering, PLM, Procurement, Commodity Management, Manufacturing Operations, and Fulfillment
- Strong working knowledge of Kinaxis and Agile/PLM, including how planning signals, BOM data, lifecycle status, and engineering changes affect material availability and manufacturing readiness
- Thorough understanding of MRP/ERP systems and logic, Materials Management or Procurement standards and procedures, supplier commits, inventory controls, and JIT principles such as Kanban, pull systems, VMI, and SMI
- Fluency in English
- Proven analytical skills, capable of quickly interpreting complex datasets, identifying material risk, and translating data into clear actions for internal teams and external partners
- Flexible to manage relationships across different time zones and adapt to EMS and OEM partner schedules during NPI builds, material escalations, and ramp readiness reviews
- Strong project management, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence decisions and drive closure in a matrixed environment
- Some travel required (~15%) to North America and Thailand
- APICS training or certifications such as CPIM or CSCP
- Practical experience using Kinaxis for supply planning, scenario analysis, clear-to-build visibility, or ramp readiness management
- Hands-on experience with Agile/PLM for BOM readiness, lifecycle status, engineering change review, and NPI governance
- Experience in telecom, networking, optical systems, high-reliability electronics, or complex EMS/OEM manufacturing environments
- PMP certification, Lean manufacturing experience, or Six Sigma training
- Fluency in Thai and Spanish
Company Overview
Company H1B Sponsorship