About VAT Group
At VAT, we change the world with vacuum solutions. As the world’s leading supplier of high-performance vacuum valves, we have been driving innovation for more than 60 years. With over 3,200 employees worldwide, we operate from our headquarters in Haag, Switzerland, with manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania, as well as sales and service hubs around the world. We guided by our passions integrity, teamwork, customer centricity, and innovation – always working together as #oneVAT.
Joining us means becoming part of a passionate, international team where your voice is heard, your ideas matter, and your career growth is supported.
Main Role and Activities The Team Lead Supply Specialists serves as the tactical leader and execution driver for NPI supply chain activities within assigned Business Units or product portfolios. This role is essential for ensuring the timely industrialization of new products, managing the transition from development to serial production, and guaranteeing supply chain readiness, including reliable order fulfillment for NPI projects.
We are seeking a dynamic leader who is able to manage complex cross-functional projects, optimize supply chain design in an HMLV environment, and guide a team of experienced specialists to accelerate time-to-market and ensure operational excellence.
Your Responsibilities Lead and execute NPI supply chain activities for assigned Business Units or product portfolios
Ensure timely industrialization of new products and manage the transition from development to serial production
Guarantee supply chain readiness and order fulfillment for NPI orders
Act as the main interface to BU Product Management and R&D, ensuring alignment with strategy and priorities
Allocate and coordinate Supply Specialists across projects based on complexity and priority
Drive the implementation of Design for Supply Chain (DfSC) principles, including multi-sourcing strategies, lead time optimization, and resilient supply chain design
Collaborate with Category Management to execute sourcing strategies and oversee supplier selection and onboarding
Identify and realize cost optimization (COGS) opportunities during the development phase while balancing cost, quality, and risk
Ensure adherence to Product Approval Workflow and PLM processes within the team
Lead structured problem-solving to improve NPI efficiency and resolve bottlenecks
Oversee supply chain master data setup, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely availability
Manage the handover process from NPI to serial production (COP/SCP), ensuring full readiness
Lead, coach, and develop a team of Supply Specialists
Act as escalation point for supply chain risks impacting NPI timelines
Manage trade-offs between cost, risk, and speed in supply chain design
Your Profile Bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related technical field; APICS (CSCP/CPIM) is a plus
3–7 years of experience in material planning (MRP), inventory management, or operational procurement in a complex manufacturing (HMLV) environment
Proven leadership experience with strong change management capabilities and a data-driven mindset
Excellent knowledge of ERP systems (MS Dynamics 365 F&O preferred), as well as PLM and project management tools
Strong understanding of Design for Supply Chain, strategic sourcing, risk analysis (e.g. FMEA), and NPI phase-gate processes
Lean methodology knowledge (Green Belt preferred)
Strong analytical and project management skills with the ability to manage complex constraints
Excellent communication and negotiation skills in cross-functional environments
Fluent in English and German (written and spoken)
What to Expect A key leadership role with direct impact on product industrialization and time-to-market
A dynamic and international environment with complex, cross-functional projects
High level of ownership and decision-making responsibility
Close collaboration with R&D, Business Units, Operations, and suppliers
Opportunity to build and develop a high-performing specialist team
Continuous professional and personal development
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