Description

Remote Work: Yes

Overview:

At Zebra, we are a community of innovators who come together to create new ways of working. United by curiosity and a culture of caring, we develop smart solutions that anticipate our customer’s and partner’s needs and solve their challenges.

Being a part of Zebra Nation means you are seen, heard, valued, and respected. Drawing from our unique perspectives, we collaborate to deliver on our purpose. Here you are a part of a team pushing boundaries today to redefine the work of tomorrow for organizations, their employees, and those they serve.

You'll have opportunities to learn and lead in a forward-thinking environment, defining your path to a fulfilling career while channeling your skills toward causes you care about - locally and globally.

Come make an impact every day at Zebra.

As a Lead Professional in Supply Chain Outsourced Operations, you will be accountable for leading highly matrixed cross-functional manufacturing partner operations teams leveraging your extensive experience to resolve complex partner issues, lead initiatives that enhance operations and manage execution with our hardware outsourced manufacturing, repair or distribution partners.

This role is accountable for driving Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and acts as the main point of contact with our outsourced operations partners supporting all business at the partner site(s). This leadership position works with cross functional partners to balance operational efficiency and cost and is responsible for overseeing and providing governance of metrics, policies, and procedures.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Responsibilities:

• Defines and aligns outsourcing strategies with the company’s long-term business goals. Develops and executes long-term partner strategies that align with corporate objectives.
• Defines and executes strategic initiatives that align partner management practices with overall business goals.
• Interacts with internal peers and industry leaders to conduct thorough market analysis and identify opportunities/assess potential risks.
• Anticipates evolving environment and recommends strategies for network design and resilience that optimize business performance and mitigates tariffs, regional conflicts, and supply disruptions.
• Approve sourcing awards in operations domain and manage acceptance criteria for new product launches or transfers.
• Identifies and mitigates strategic risks and develops contingency plans for potential disruptions.
• Develop and oversee inventory and component strategies including consignment, JIT, and flexibility mechanisms.
• Approves New Product launches at responsible sites ensure manufacturing readiness, supply chain readiness and successful production ramp.
• Ensures high-level supply and demand planning based on forecast trends.

Operational Responsibilities:

• Design and implement partner risk management frameworks to safeguard operations.
• Lead efforts to integrate sustainability practices into partner management processes.
• Approve partner transitions and ensure continuity of service during periods of change.
• Oversees day-to-day operations of outsourced partners.
• Defines and ensures adherence to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and service metrics during monthly and quarterly business reviews (QBRs).
• Leads resolution and long-term preventative action to operational challenges such as production constraints/part shortages, quality disruptions, and logistics challenges.
• Ensures compliance with regulatory, legal, and company-specific standards.
• Defines and executes strategies to enhance resiliency within the operations
• May partner with others to ensure inventory balancing and optimization across different sites
• Evaluates, approves and ensures engineering changes are correctly implemented and ensures continuity of service during periods of change.

Analytical Responsibilities:

• Collaborating with peers, defines partner scorecards and performance dashboards to track and communicate performance metrics.
• Defines and utilizes data analytics to inform partner management strategies and decisions.
• Defines and performs detailed financial analyses to support partner negotiations and decisions. Analyzes cost-benefit scenarios to ensure financial viability of operations.
• Identifies opportunities for cost savings and continuous process improvements.
• Ensures data accuracy to support operational decisions.
• Defines and provides detailed reports to senior leadership on outsourcing performance, KPIs, and outcomes.
• Provides insights regarding performance data into executive-level reviews to help refine partner strategies.
• Drives partner performance (as defined in partner scorecards and performance dashboards) to ensure “best in class” performance. Collaborates with internal/external partners to drive results.
• Define and utilize data analytics to inform partner management strategies and decisions.

Interpersonal/Collaborative Responsibilities:

• Provides expert consultation and guidance to less experienced professionals, mentoring and developing junior staff.
• Collaborates with procurement to define and negotiate and secure favorable terms with suppliers.
• Facilitates communication and collaboration between partners and internal stakeholders.
• Leads a co-located, matrixed, and cross-functional team.
• Collaborates closely with internal departments like procurement, finance, legal, and operations. Sets tone and direction for partner departments/organization.
• Partners with teams across product operations, sourcing, planning, and technology to drive business outcomes.
• Maintains a proactive approach to challenges and fosters collaboration across all stakeholders.

Qualifications:

Minimum Education

• Bachelors degree in business, supply chain management, or related field, or equivalent vocational qualification/experience

Minimum Work Experience (years)

• 12+ years of experience in executing complex projects and providing strategic insights
• Significant experience directly managing in a electronics manufacturing environment, repair or distribution environment highly preferred.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to partner across functions such as Product Operations, Procurement, Planning, and Technology to drive outcomes.
• Data Stewardship and Analytical Skills: Ensure accuracy in operational data and leverage analytics to support decision-making.
• Problem-Solving and Escalation Management: Proactively address operational challenges, implement solutions, and maintain service continuity.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align operational execution with long-term business goals and adapt strategies to evolving circumstances.
• Partner Relationship Management: Foster productive, collaborative relationships with outsourcing partners to ensure mutual success.
• Risk Mitigation: Expertise in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks, including compliance risks and operational inefficiencies.
• Change Management: Proven ability to manage transitions and adapt to changes in outsourcing arrangements with minimal disruption.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Drive process improvements and implement best practices to enhance operational efficiency.
• Excellent analytical and decision-making skills, with high emotional intelligence for managing stakeholder relationships.
• Stakeholder Communication: Excellent communication skills, especially in providing updates and reports to senior leadership.
• 5+ years people leadership/management experience (in a manufacturing environment)
• Experience managing personnel located in different countries with unique cultural attributes.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in partner negotiations and cost management.
• Proven record of driving partner performance improvements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications

To protect candidates from falling victim to online fraudulent activity involving fake job postings and employment offers, please be aware our recruiters will always connect with you via @zebra.com email accounts. Applications are only accepted through our applicant tracking system and only accept personal identifying information through that system. Our Talent Acquisition team will not ask for you to provide personal identifying information via e-mail or outside of the system. If you are a victim of identity theft contact your local police department.

Zebra Technologies leverages AI technology to evaluate job applications using objective, job-relevant criteria. This approach enhances efficiency and promotes fairness in the hiring process. However, every decision regarding interviews and hiring is made by our dedicated team, because we believe people make the best decisions about people. For more on how we use technology in hiring and how we process applicant data, see our Zebra Privacy Policy .