Head of Manufacturing and Supply Chain Operations

Head of Manufacturing and Supply Chain Ops 

Reporting to the CEO, the Head of Manufacturing and Supply Chain Ops is responsible for owning all aspects of commercial vehicle production and NPI. You will manage suppliers and oversee manufacturing operations and work closely with the engineering team release and design for manufacturability. The ideal candidate will be experienced in scale vehicle production and highly fluent in manufacturing and supply chain processes.  This is a role at an early-stage technology company and we’re looking for a trusted, hands-on partner that works well with uncertainty and can help build our organization. 

The role is based in the United States, preferably in Los Angeles, with travel to vendor locations expected as needed. 

Responsibilities:  

• Partner with the CEO, engineering, and finance team for strategic execution of commercial vehicle production.  
• Manage all manufacturing and supply operations including vendor selection, planning, sourcing, quality, and issue resolution. 
• Manage contract manufacturing (CM) and supplier relationships, including negotiating contracts and ensuring alignment with production goals. 
• Lead the full New Product Introduction (NPI) process from prototype through EVT, DVT, and PVT phases to ensure successful product launch. 
• Work with engineering and manufacturers to refine designs for manufacturability, and timely and cost-effective execution.  
• Drive fast resolution of supplier and manufacturing issues for on-time production delivery. 
• Develop processes and tools as needed to manage workflows, results, and quality.  
• Coordinate review and planning activities with manufacturing partners.  
• Conduct audits of suppliers and vendors to ensure quality and on-time performance.  
• Manage project schedules and risks. 
• Coordinate timelines, priorities, and deliverables across hardware teams for both current and next generation platforms  
• Track milestones, manage risks, and drive resolution on blockers  
• Ensure alignment on requirements between engineering, product, and customer teams  
• Facilitate regular syncs, status reporting, and planning sessions  
• Create and maintain documentation to support clear visibility and execution at all levels 

What Success Looks Like: 

• After 30 Days: You’ve developed a comprehensive global supply chain strategy and architecture aligned with Parallel’s long-term goals. You’ve built strong relationships with internal teams and our primary contract manufacturer, and are actively managing the current manufacturing project—overseeing deliverables and beginning to shape the scope of future work. 
• After 60 Days: You’ve designed a longer-term vision for the supply chain and operations function, including organizational needs to support scale. A more advanced and structured BOM model is in place to support our commercial product and cost-reduction goals. You’ve also identified key strategic suppliers and begun establishing direct relationships to ensure long-term alignment. 
• After 90 Days: You’ve finalized and secured agreements with our contract manufacturer and strategic vendors. A defined NPI process and reliability program are in place to guide product readiness. You’ve also developed a clear view of working capital requirements to support a successful production launch and ongoing manufacturing operations. 

Basic Requirements:  

• Prior NPI experience taking a new multi-disciplinary product into manufacturing for the first time.  
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing and supply chain operations for automotive and/or consumer electronics production. 
• Experience modeling product cost and executing cost reduction initiatives in design and production phases.  
• Working knowledge of supplier selection and management. 
• Experience creating and maintaining project schedules and managing program risk. 
• Prior experience working in a startup environment. 
• Proven track record of delivering complex, cross-functional programs on time and budget 

Preferred Requirements:  

• Prior experience with optical sensor manufacturing and integration for use outdoors. 
• Experience with powertrain production. 
• Experience streamlining manufacturing and developing new manufacturing equipment and processes. 
• Educational and/or prior experience in engineering. 
• Familiarity with financial modeling and negotiating financial terms with suppliers.  
• Source and manage CM and supplier relationships; negotiate contracts 
• Lead New Product Introduction (NPI) process, including Proto, EVT, DVT, and PVT