Head of Hardware Production and Supply Chain Operations

We are seeking a Head of Production & Supply Chain Operations to lead our Hardware Production Team and the end-to-end logistics and inventory function that keeps Carbon’s global supply chain running. This role is critical to scaling our production operations while maintaining our commitment to safety, quality, and cost efficiency, while ensuring the accuracy, compliance, and reliable flow of Carbon’s inventory and freight worldwide. The ideal candidate is a disciplined, detail-oriented leader who thrives in a hands-on manufacturing environment, knows how to build, inspire, and motivate high-performing teams, and can operate effectively across both production and supply chain disciplines. Reporting to the Director of Supply Chain, this individual will own the end-to-end production process and the logistics and inventory organization, driving continuous improvement and ensuring our products and materials meet the highest standards from supplier to customer.

This role will be spending time at both our Thomas Rd, Santa Clara and Borregas Ave, Sunnyvale locations and you will be expected to be in-office 5 days per week. 

What You Will Do

Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit, hire, onboard, and develop a team of manufacturing technicians and logistics and inventory staff, building a culture rooted in accountability, pride in craftsmanship, and continuous learning.
• Set clear performance expectations and conduct regular coaching sessions, performance reviews, and skills assessments to elevate individual and team capabilities across production and logistics/inventory functions.
• Foster a positive, motivated work environment where team members feel valued and engaged, resulting in strong retention and morale.
• Create training programs and cross-training plans to ensure workforce flexibility and depth across all production stations and logistics/inventory operations.

Safety

• Champion a safety-first culture across the production floor and logistics and warehouse operations, ensuring compliance with all OSHA regulations and company safety policies.
• Conduct regular safety audits, risk assessments, and incident investigations; implement corrective and preventive actions promptly.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) that prioritize operator and warehouse safety in every task.
• Track and report safety metrics, driving toward zero-incident goals through proactive hazard identification and mitigation.

Quality

• Own product quality throughout the manufacturing and assembly process, ensuring every product meets rigorous quality standards before shipment.
• Implement and manage quality control checkpoints, inspection protocols, and testing procedures at critical stages of production.
• Collaborate with Ops Engineering and Quality teams to resolve defects, perform root cause analysis, and drive corrective actions.
• Monitor yield rates and first-pass quality metrics, using data to drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Cost & Operational Efficiency

• Manage production budgets, labor costs, and material utilization to meet or exceed cost targets without compromising safety or quality.
• Own budget and cost outcomes for Carbon’s freight, logistics, and inventory programs.
• Identify and implement process improvements using Lean manufacturing principles to reduce waste, improve throughput, and increase efficiency.
• Plan and manage production schedules, capacity, and resource allocation to meet delivery commitments and customer demand.
• Partner with Strategic Sourcing and Planning to optimize inventory levels and ensure timely availability of components and materials.

Logistics & Inventory Leadership

• Own management accountability for the cost, service levels, and integrity of Carbon’s global goods flow, including all inbound and outbound freight and global inventory accuracy and compliance.
• Lead, mentor, and directly manage the team of inventory and logistics staff, setting priorities and building scalable processes as Carbon grows.
• Ensure full compliance with international trade regulations and dangerous goods/hazardous materials requirements.
• Establish and track logistics and inventory KPIs (cost per shipment, on-time delivery, inventory accuracy, freight as a percentage of revenue) and drive continuous improvement against them.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Reporting

• Serve as the primary liaison between the production floor and the Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to ensure seamless product launches and design-for-manufacturability feedback.
• Serve as the primary management point of contact for Finance, Legal, EH&S, Sales, contract manufacturing partners, and 3PLs on logistics, inventory, and trade compliance matters.
• Participate in new product introduction processes, contributing manufacturing insights during design reviews and pilot builds.
• Provide regular production, logistics, and inventory status reports, KPIs, and escalation updates to senior leadership.

Qualifications

Required:

• 8+ years of experience in a manufacturing or production management role, with demonstrated success leading teams of technicians or production operators.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• Experience managing, overseeing, or working closely with logistics, freight, and inventory functions, including leading teams responsible for freight and inventory control.
• Proven ability to build, develop, and motivate high-performing teams in a hands-on manufacturing environment, with a track record of maintaining safe production environments.
• Strong technical aptitude with the ability to understand complex electromechanical assemblies and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated discipline and meticulous attention to detail in managing production operations, documentation, and quality systems.
• Experience managing budgets, schedules, and resource planning.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to partner effectively with a senior individual-contributor expert to translate strategy into team execution.

Nice to Have:

• Understanding of workplace safety regulations (OSHA).
• Lean manufacturing certification (e.g., Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt).
• Experience with ISO 9001 or similar quality management systems.
• Background in 3D printing, additive manufacturing, or precision hardware production.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and production tracking tools.
• Familiarity with Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles.
• Familiarity with international trade compliance and dangerous goods/hazardous materials regulations.

You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Carbon, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.

By clicking the “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” button and submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the complete Privacy Notice for Employees, Independent Contractors and Job Applicants, which explains the categories of personal information we collect about you, the purposes for which the categories of personal information shall be used and your rights with respect to our use of such personal Information. 

At Carbon, we look at the person holistically and carefully consider a wide range of factors when determining salary. The compensation bracket for this position is $182,400 - $273,600 (per year). In order to maintain equitable internal pay practices, we aim to hire new employees near the midpoint of $228,000 taking into account your experience, work location, certifications, and the unique skills you bring to the role. If you are not based in our Sunnyvale office, the range above will be adjusted for the geographical differential associated with your actual work location. 

For more information on how we modify your pay based on your location, please refer to our geographic differentials chart. 

Carbon also offers to our eligible employees a comprehensive total rewards package that includes equity, benefits, and time off programs. For details on our total rewards package, visit https://www.carbon3d.com/about/life-at-carbon.

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