Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Manager – Jaipur, India (Full-Time, Mid-Career)About Guidecraft:Guidecraft Inc., USA, is a 59-year-old company engaged in the design, manufacture, and distribution of high-quality educational toys and furniture for the consumer and educational markets, primarily in the US but with a growing international presence. Headquartered in New York, Guidecraft has offices in China, Vietnam, Thailand, and India. We recently launched our Playspace Design Initiative, focused on designing play-based learning environments for homes and schools.The Role:The Supply Chain Manager is a strategic leadership role, instrumental in building and shaping Guidecraft’s sourcing operations in India. This is a new position, offering the unique opportunity to influence and develop supply chain processes and partnerships from the ground up. The India sourcing operation is in a growth and setup phase, and we are looking for a self-motivated leader who thrives in building systems, teams, and factory relationships from scratch.The individual must demonstrate expertise in sourcing and procurement strategy, vendor development, quality assurance, and cross-functional collaboration. They will also be responsible for evaluating and implementing continuous improvement initiatives, lean practices, and cost-efficiency measures.Key Responsibilities:- Strategic Network Development: Build and oversee a comprehensive network of manufacturers specifically for the children’s furniture sector. - Sourcing & Auditing: Identify, research, and audit new manufacturing partners across India and nearby countries to ensure they meet multi-category production needs. - Factory Onboarding & Training: Act as a lead mentor for new partners, guiding "ground-up" factory development to ensure they align with Guidecraft’s rigorous standards and specifications. - Supply Chain Oversight: Maintain direct, hands-on control over supply chain operations and product inspections during the initial phase of operations. - Team Leadership: Responsible for the end-to-end process of interviewing, hiring, and managing a dedicated Quality Control (QC) team to uphold company standards. - Financial Negotiation: Direct ongoing factory negotiations and manage product pricing to ensure competitive and cost-effective sourcing strategies. - Global Coordination: Partner with international teams in the US and Asia to synchronize inventory management, order fulfillment, and complex export documentation.Location & Travel:- Base Location: Must be based in Jaipur or willing to relocate to the Jaipur office. - Domestic Travel: Frequent travel across India is required for onsite factory visits and supplier evaluations. - International Travel: Occasional overseas travel to coordinate with global offices and manage broader supply chain logistics.Core Requirements:- Educational Background: A university degree in Engineering, International Business, or a closely related field. - Language Proficiency: Must be fluent in English with strong communication skills for professional settings. - Industry Expertise: Specific experience handling children’s products, with a primary focus on furniture. - Manufacturing Experience: At least 5 years working within a physical manufacturing environment. - Supply Chain Tenure: At least 5 years of experience specifically in sourcing or purchasing roles. - Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of the fabrication and manufacturing processes used to create children's furniture and educational equipment. - Strategic Sourcing: Proven commodity knowledge and a pre-existing network of supplier and manufacturer contacts relevant to this niche. - Safety Compliance: Proficiency in safety testing and standards, with specific mastery of ASTM (American) and EN71 (European) regulations for children's products.Preferred Qualifications:- Logistics: Practical experience managing international logistics and navigating complex export procedures. - Sustainability: Familiarity with modern sustainability standards and "green" manufacturing practices. - Specialized Compliance: Exposure to the specific compliance certifications required for educational and school furniture.If interested, kindly share your CV and portfolio (max 10MB) at phalder@.

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