Supervise the planning and ordering of time-critical materials to support Tesla’s manufacturing and service organizations, while minimizing freight costs and maintaining optimal inventory levels (avoid both shortages and overages). Act as escalation point for material concerns, lead daily shortage meetings to ensure supply continuity, report on KPIs (inventory days on hand, line interruptions, expedite costs, etc.) and enforce best practices
Foster and develop a strong team of material planners and potentially associate managers through selective recruitment, training and coaching. Tasks include proactively planning resources, communicating job expectations, providing performance feedback and managing the team in line with Tesla’s policies
Collaborate with other departments, including logistics, purchasing, engineering, manufacturing, service, and demand planning to support quarterly operational and long-term scaling objectives. Collaborate with purchasing, engineering, production and NPI to coordinate engineering change order timing for part revisions and new product launches, targeting minimal obsolescence
Identify and communicate potential supply risks and collaborate with purchasing and supplier industrialization teams to resolve structural and commercial issues
Identify and lead process improvement initiatives related to execution and planned growth, including but not limited to: procedural updates and communication pathways, improved hand-offs from purchasing to material planning and from material planning to internal customers, inventory optimization scenarios, analytics and KPI build-out, and employee training programs
Work with suppliers, purchasing and logistics to establish delivery quantity and frequency for Just-In-Time delivery and line-side Kanban
Enforce maintenance of MRP master data parameters to ensure accurate demand signals (i.e. lead times, MOQ’s, lot sizing, safety stock); identify and resolve system and/or BOM inaccuracies to preserve data integrity. Participate in and champion MRP system development activities, including specification writing, development, testing, and training
What You’ll Bring
Degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Industrial Engineering or other related field or equivalent experience. CPIM or APIC training a plus
Minimum 6 years’ experience in manufacturing, distribution, finance, or supply chain management. Minimum 3 years’ experience managing others (preferably other people leaders)
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills in developing, implementing, and assessing key operational and financial metrics. Strong critical thinking and resolution skills in ambiguous situations
Strong knowledge of MRP/ERP with a solid understand of discrete manufacturing, bills of material, product lifecycle management, procure to pay processes and supply chain operations
Demonstrated skills in supplier operational and relationship management. Ability to multi-task, prioritize and work in an extremely fast-paced environment
Passionate and high energy, with the diplomacy and cooperative style necessary to positively influence others, both inside and outside of Tesla. Demonstrated resilience and capacity to lead a team through periods of change
Knowledge of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software, particularly Enovia Matrix One, a plus