Director, Strategic Supply Management (D627)

Smart technologies; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in technology seeks a Supply Chain Leader to oversee global supplier management and new product introduction. The role involves developing strategic supply chains, leading cross-functional teams, and driving continuous improvement in quality and cost. This high-visibility position requires strong analytical, negotiation, and leadership skills, along with a bachelor's degree and substantial experience in supply chain roles.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in supply chain/strategic sourcing roles with product development exposure.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and large-scale projects.
• PMP or equivalent project management certification highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement supply chain strategies optimizing cost and quality.
• Lead hardware new product introduction projects with coordination among partners.
• Mentor and lead cross-functional teams in supply chain management.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Negotiation skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration

Master’s degree or MBA

Tools

Supply chain management software

Project management tools

Job description

We are seeking a solution-driven and agile supply chain leader to join our team. In this pivotal role, you will leada diverse, cross-functional team spanning Supplier Program Management, Procurement, New Product Introduction (NPI) and Sustaining Engineering, Project Management, and Supply Chain Management across multiple countries and time zones.You will oversee a global network of suppliers to ensure the supply chain consistently delivers on quality, cost, innovation, investment and service objectives.

Reporting to the VP of Operations, this role will provide strategic oversight and direction for the supply management process and will define mid- to long-term, global supply strategies that support SMART’s product roadmap and business direction.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Supply Management :

• Develop and implement end-to-end supply chain strategies that optimize cost, quality, and delivery performance.
• Oversee supplier selection, relationship management, and risk mitigation initiatives to secure a robust and resilient supplier base.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive continuous process improvement, ensuring that supply management strategies align with corporate goals.
• Drive the Operations Product Cost reduction program
• Establish Regional manufacturing to support market requirements.

New Product Introduction Project Management :

• Lead the planning and execution of hardware new product introduction (NPI) projects, ensuring seamless coordination between internal and external supply partners in ODM and JDM models.
• Establish and manage cross-functional project teams to streamline the transition of products from development to production, with clear milestones, budgets, quality requirements, and timelines.
• Utilize project management methodologies (e.g., PMP, Agile, or similar frameworks) to manage projects, mitigate risks, and resolve issues efficiently throughout the new product lifecycle.

Sustaining and NPI Engineering :

• Collaborate within sustaining and Quality teams to support product lifecycle management and drive continuous improvements in quality and cost.
• Oversee product enhancements and troubleshooting efforts, ensuring that ongoing engineering support maximizes product performance and customer satisfaction.
• Develop strategies to extend product life cycles and continuously update supply chain practices in response to evolving market and technological changes.
• Work with Supply partners to ensure manufacturing capability and capacity are established to meet product ramp requirements.

Leadership & Cross-functional Collaboration :

• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership by providing actionable insights based on market trends, performance data, and technological developments.
• Mentor and lead high-performing teams across Supply Program Management, Procurement, NPI and Sustaining Engineering, ASIA SCM Team, and Project Management functions.
• Champion best practices and foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability across the organization.

Risk Management & Process Improvement :

oIdentify supply chain and product introduction risks, design robust contingency plans and proactive measures to ensure operational continuity cost effectively.

oImplement and refine processes to boost efficiency in supply chain operations and new product rollouts, leveraging cutting-edge industry knowledge and technology solutions.

Qualifications

Education :

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
• Master’s degree or MBA preferred.

Experience :

• A minimum of 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in supply chain / strategic sourcing roles, with substantial exposure to hardware product development and new product introduction in ODM / JDM models.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing cross-functional teams and large-scale new product projects in a dynamic environment.

Certifications & Skills :

• PMP or equivalent project management certification and experience is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex market and operational data.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills; a proven track record of influencing cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Proficiency in supply chain management software and engineering project management tools.

Additional Information

Travel :

• Periodic international travel is required to meet with suppliers and visit manufacturing facilities.
• This is a strategic, high-visibility role that operates in a fast-paced, dynamic environment requiring agility, decisiveness, and innovation.
• Hybrid – in office and minimum of 3 or 4 days per week.

LI-HYBRID #LI-VH1

Create a job alert for this search