Strategic Supply Chain Lead

Nel Hydrogen; Wallingford (CT); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive health and insurance benefits

Short-term incentive program

Paid vacation time and sick leave

Job summary

Nel Hydrogen in Wallingford, Connecticut is seeking a Strategic Supply Chain Lead to shape the supply chain strategy in a cutting-edge manufacturing environment. This role focuses on developing supplier strategies for PEM electrolyser manufacturing and driving cost and performance improvements.

The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in complex electro-mechanical systems, excellent supplier management skills, and the ability to work with various stakeholders to achieve supply chain goals.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of supply chain experience in complex electro-mechanical systems manufacturing.
• Direct experience with PEM electrolysers or electrochemical systems preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute supply chain strategy for PEM electrolyser manufacturing.
• Build and maintain strategic supplier strategies aligned with business growth.
• Lead critical supplier qualification and manage supplier performance.

Skills

Supplier management

Cost reduction strategies

Supplier qualification

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Materials/Supply Chain Management or related field

MBA or APICS certification preferred

Tools

ERP systems (Business Central preferred)

Job description

Do you want to shape the supply chain strategy behind cutting‑edge hydrogen technology?

Are you passionate about building resilient, scalable supplier networks and driving cost and performance in complex manufacturing environments? Nel Hydrogen is looking for a Strategic Supply Chain Lead to drive the end‑to‑end supply chain strategy for our PEM electrolyser business.

If this resonates with you, this could be an exciting opportunity to apply your strategic sourcing and supply chain expertise in a global company contributing directly to the green transition.

About Nel Hydrogen

Nel Hydrogen is the global leader in on‑site hydrogen generation and the largest electrolyser manufacturer in the world. Nel Hydrogen is leading the charge into the new green hydrogen economy.

If you are driven by personal initiative combined with loyalty and commitment to your team and the ability to convert complex issues into simple solutions, then we want to talk to you. Join a company that is on the cutting edge of new energy innovations, with an energized, progressive culture.

Your new role

As a Strategic Supply Chain Lead, you will be responsible for developing and executing the supply chain strategy supporting PEM electrolyser manufacturing - from development through commercial scale. You will be involved in translating product roadmaps, engineering changes, and customer deployment plans into reliable, scalable supply chain decisions, working closely with Technology and Operations.

Your Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a strategic supplier strategy aligned to business growth, technology needs, localization requirements, and business risk; strategy will cover critical electrolyser content including stack hardware, power electronics, system integrators, and ancillary hardware
• Work cross‑functionally to develop category strategies and translate them into executable sourcing plans
• Proactively identify and execute cost reduction initiatives across categories and suppliers, leveraging volume, specification optimization, total cost of ownership analysis, and continuous improvement programs to meet cost objectives
• Lead critical supplier qualification including initial screening, capability assessment, quality system review, site audits, support of technical trials, and internal cross‑functional approvals
• Execute supply agreements including support of commercial negotiations and supplier onboarding requirements
• Maintain a qualified supplier pipeline to ensure continuity, scalability, and competitiveness
• Own supplier‑facing forecasts by translating internal demand plans into supplier schedules
• Monitor supplier capacity, lead times, and inventory positions to ensure forecasts are achievable; make recommendations for inventory strategies to management to support sales lead times and cost targets
• Develop and execute cost reduction roadmaps including volume‑based pricing benefits
• Hold regular business reviews with strategic suppliers to review cost, performance, risks, and improvement actions; publish supplier performance dashboards
• Support supplier corrective action governance, including containment and recovery timelines
• Provide regular updates to management on supplier risk, capacity, cost outlook, and mitigation actions

The above statements reflect the principal functions of the position and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for a strategic and hands‑on supply chain leader with experience from complex manufacturing environments.

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials/Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Engineering or Business; MBA and/or APICS certification are preferred
• 8+ years of supply chain experience in complex electro‑mechanical systems manufacturing
• Strong working knowledge of supplier management, quality systems, and supply chain fundamentals
• Direct experience with PEM electrolysers, fuel cells, or electrochemical systems preferred, including familiarity with Precious Metal (PGM) sourcing dynamics
• Proven ability to identify and drive improvements in the supply chain including cost reductions
• Demonstrated success partnering with Internal and External Stakeholders; Internal Stakeholders include R&D, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality
• Experience scaling from pilot to commercial production and working in a medium‑scale manufacturing or industrial environment
• Proven ability to drive change, manage multiple priorities, and work effectively in a fast‑paced environment
• Experience with an enterprise‑wide ERP system (Business Central preferred)
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills
• Able to travel (up to 25%) as needed

What We Can Offer

• An opportunity to work in a company in strong growth and a leading position in the market.
• A visible role with many exciting interfaces, internally and externally
• The opportunity to work in a global company that contributes to the green transition.
• A dynamic and highly professional working environment consisting of competent and committed colleagues.

Nel Hydrogen provides comprehensive health and insurance benefits for its employees as well as a short‑term incentive program. The Company offers competitive paid vacation time, sick leave, and holidays.

The Company has a published Code of Conduct that all employees are expected to follow.

Visas

• Nel will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided.
• Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, H‑1, H‑2, L, B, J, or TN or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer—M/F/Disabled/Veteran—and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws.