Team lead supply specialist

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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