NPI Materials Manager, New Products

The NPI Materials Manager at Redwood Materials is responsible for leading materials planning and procurement, ensuring that all necessary components are ready for NPI builds. This includes managing clear-to-build processes, collaborating with cross-functional teams, optimizing inventory tracking systems, and mitigating supply chain risks to prevent production delays.

Candidates for the NPI Materials Manager position at Redwood Materials should have at least 5 years of experience in supply chain management, particularly in NPI procurement and production planning. Experience in advanced manufacturing or battery technology, as well as skills in supplier negotiations and inventory management, are highly desirable.

The NPI Materials Manager at Redwood Materials plays a crucial role in enhancing sustainability by ensuring that materials are sourced and managed efficiently, leading to reduced waste and optimized resource use. By driving innovative practices in supply chain management, this role directly supports Redwood’s mission of creating a circular supply chain for electric vehicles.

Key skills for an NPI Materials Manager at Redwood Materials include strong communication and leadership abilities, expertise in commodity management, supplier negotiations, and a deep understanding of ERP/MRP systems. Experience with Bill of Materials and inventory tracking systems is also critical for ensuring operational excellence.

The salary range for the NPI Materials Manager position at Redwood Materials is between $150,000 and $200,000 USD annually. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, and skills, reflecting Redwood's commitment to rewarding talent in alignment with California pay transparency laws.

When answering this question, outline specific examples from your previous roles where you successfully led NPI procurement processes. Highlight how these experiences prepared you for the NPI Materials Manager role at Redwood Materials, focusing on measurable outcomes or benefits realized during those projects.

Discuss your approach to building strong, collaborative relationships with suppliers. Share strategies you've used to negotiate effectively and to ensure quality and timely delivery of materials, emphasizing how this skill aligns with Redwood Materials’ core values.

Detail your risk assessment strategies and how you proactively identify potential issues in the supply chain. Provide examples that showcase your ability to develop alternate sourcing plans, demonstrating alignment with Redwood Materials' focus on innovation and sustainability.

Outline the inventory tracking systems you've implemented in past roles. Talk about the methodologies that have proven effective for you, and explain how you would apply similar approaches to improve visibility and accuracy of NPI material flows at Redwood Materials.

Emphasize your collaborative skills and past experiences working closely with engineering, manufacturing, and logistics teams. Provide examples of successful projects where effective communication and teamwork led to achieving goals, underlining your fit for the culture at Redwood Materials.

Share a specific instance where you faced production delays because of supply chain shortages. Explain the steps you took to resolve the issue, showcasing your problem-solving skills and resilience, and link this back to the key responsibilities of the NPI Materials Manager role.

Articulate your vision for how the NPI Materials Manager role can significantly contribute to Redwood Materials’ sustainability goals. Discuss your strategies for optimizing material sourcing and management to support environmental initiatives while maintaining efficiency.

Discuss your strategies for prioritizing tasks and managing time effectively, particularly in high-pressure situations. Give examples of how you've successfully navigated competing deadlines and demands while ensuring quality outcomes.

Detail your experience using ERP/MRP systems to manage procurement and inventory tasks. Explain how specific tools and processes streamline operations, providing improvements to efficiency and communication, and how this knowledge would benefit Redwood Materials.

Provide a concrete example of a cost-saving strategy you've implemented in your previous roles. Describe the situation, your approach to analysis and execution, and the overall result, emphasizing your analytical skills and your ability to contribute to Redwood Materials’ logistical efficiencies.