Supply Chain Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Supply Chain Design Manager

Company: Flex

Location: Shanghai, China

Job Type: Full time

Category: Supply Chain Operations / Global Procurement & Supply Chain

Date Posted: 2026-07-31

Experience Level: 7+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the architectural development and deployment of sophisticated End-to-End supply chain optimization models, encompassing inbound logistics, production site selection, outbound distribution, and reverse flow processes.

• Drive strategic decision-making by developing, managing, and deploying comprehensive cost models that accurately reflect inbound, warehouse, and delivery operating expenses, including freight, product cost, labor, customs, duties, and variable/fixed costs.

• Act as the primary liaison and stakeholder for supply chain design analytics, effectively communicating complex scenario results and driving consensus across diverse functional teams.

• Manage the complete lifecycle of Supply Chain Design Projects, from initial structure and stakeholder identification to process execution, methodology adherence, and final validation.

• Ensure recommended supply chain designs are robust and capable of addressing quality-related concerns, such as RMAs, thereby minimizing total End-to-End landed cost for manufactured products.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is firmly within the Supply Chain Operations domain, with a strong emphasis on strategic network design, cost optimization, and cross-functional leadership. The "Embedded Power" specialization suggests a focus on components or systems within larger electronic products, requiring a nuanced understanding of both inbound component sourcing and outbound finished goods distribution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Architect and maintain the integrity of supply chain network models and their underlying data infrastructure, ensuring accuracy and scalability for complex analyses.

• Serve as the primary interface for stakeholders seeking in-depth supply chain design analytics and insights, translating business needs into actionable modeling requirements.

• Lead and mentor a team responsible for developing, managing, and deploying advanced supply chain models to support critical business decisions, including product manufacturing location selection, insource vs. outsource analysis, and capital/capacity investment evaluations.

• Oversee the project management framework for Supply Chain Design initiatives, ensuring clear definition of scope, effective stakeholder engagement, robust process adherence, and sound methodology.

• Clearly articulate and present the results and implications of various supply chain design scenarios to executive leadership and cross-functional teams, influencing strategic direction.

• Quantify the impact of proposed supply chain design scenarios on both fixed and variable cost components, providing a clear financial rationale for recommended actions.

• Collaborate closely with Sales, Operational Planning (S&OP), Business Development, Industrialization, Quoting, and Supply Chain Management teams to ensure that raw material, semi-finished goods, and finished goods supply chains are designed to meet end-customer service level agreements and total landed cost objectives.

• Analyze and integrate the handling of RMAs and other quality-related concerns into the recommended supply chain designs to ensure operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

• Proactively research and communicate changes in the global trade landscape, tariffs, and regulations that may impact manufacturing and distribution strategies for Embedded Power products across various locations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic modeling, project leadership, and cross-functional collaboration. The emphasis on "End-to-End landed cost" and "RMAs" points to a need for a holistic view of the supply chain, from component sourcing to final delivery and potential returns, with a strong financial and operational focus.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Analytics, Operations Research) or equivalent practical experience and training.

Experience: Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of progressive, end-to-end supply chain management experience, with a significant portion focused on supply chain design, network optimization, or strategic planning. Proven experience in leading major initiatives and providing input to functional plans and objectives is essential.

Required Skills:

• Expert-level proficiency in developing and managing End-to-End supply chain optimization models, including inbound, production, outbound, and reverse logistics.

• Strong capabilities in cost modeling for freight, warehousing, labor, duties, and other variable/fixed operating expenses.

• Proven experience in manufacturing site selection analysis, insourcing/outsourcing decisions, and capital/capacity investment analysis.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage cross-functional teams and projects, ensuring successful execution and stakeholder alignment.

• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

• Strong communication and presentation skills in English, with the ability to articulate complex concepts to diverse audiences.

• Proven teamwork and collaboration skills, with experience working effectively with business development, operations, finance, and logistics teams.

• Strategic thinking capabilities, with a clear understanding of how supply chain design impacts overall business profitability and operational success.

• Adaptability and a commitment to continuous learning in a dynamic global trade and supply chain environment. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with supply chain design software and simulation tools (e.g., Llamasoft/Coupa, AnyLogic, Kinaxis).

• Familiarity with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and their impact on supply chain data.

• Knowledge of global trade regulations, customs procedures, and duty structures.

• Experience in the electronics manufacturing or similar high-volume production industries.

• Understanding of Sales and Operational Planning (S&OP) processes and their integration with supply chain design.

• Advanced degree (e.g., Master's in Supply Chain Management, MBA) is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 7+ years, coupled with the need for expert functional and people/process management skills, indicates this is a mid-to-senior level role. The emphasis on strategic thinking and impact on medium-term direction suggests a role with significant influence.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase documented examples of supply chain network design projects, illustrating the scope, methodology, and tools used.

• Present case studies demonstrating the development and application of cost models to analyze inbound, warehouse, and outbound logistics expenses, highlighting ROI or cost savings achieved.

• Include examples of how you have contributed to or led manufacturing site selection or insourcing/outsourcing analysis, detailing the evaluation criteria and decision-making process.

• Provide evidence of cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management in the context of supply chain optimization projects, detailing how consensus was built and decisions were implemented. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in defining and documenting supply chain processes, particularly those related to network modeling, data collection, and scenario analysis.

• Illustrate your approach to managing project workflows, from initial problem definition and data gathering through to model validation and final recommendation presentation.

• Provide examples of how you have measured the impact of supply chain design changes on key performance indicators (KPIs), including cost, service levels, and operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Supply Chain Design Manager, a portfolio demonstrating analytical rigor, strategic planning capabilities, and project leadership is crucial. Emphasis should be placed on quantifiable results, process optimization, and the ability to translate complex data into clear business recommendations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Supply Chain Design Managers with 7+ years of experience in major Chinese metropolitan areas like Shanghai, a competitive annual salary range is estimated to be between ¥350,000 to ¥600,000 CNY. This estimate considers the specific responsibilities, the strategic nature of the role, and the cost of living in Shanghai.

Benefits:

• Social Insurance: Comprehensive coverage as mandated by Chinese labor laws, typically including pension, medical, unemployment, work-related injury, and maternity insurance.

• Housing Fund: Contributions to a mandatory housing provident fund, which can be used for housing-related expenses.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous annual leave allowance, public holidays, and sick leave as per local regulations and company policy.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and potentially certifications related to supply chain design and management.

• Health and Wellness Programs: Access to company-sponsored health initiatives or employee assistance programs.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. However, given the global nature of supply chain management and project-driven responsibilities, occasional flexibility may be required to accommodate international time zones or critical project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation is based on research of supply chain management roles in China, specifically Shanghai, factoring in the "Manager" title and the required 7+ years of experience. This range is a benchmark and actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific qualifications, experience, and negotiation.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Diversified manufacturing and technology solutions. Flex operates at the intersection of manufacturing, electronics, and innovative product development, serving a wide array of market sectors including automotive, healthcare, industrial, and consumer electronics. This broad scope means the supply chain function must be adaptable and responsive to diverse industry demands.

Company Size: Flex is a large, global organization, typically categorized as having 10,000+ employees. This scale implies robust processes, a wide array of internal resources, and a complex organizational structure, offering significant opportunities for professional development and cross-functional exposure.

Founded: Flex was founded in 1969. With a long history, the company has evolved significantly, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in the face of changing market dynamics and technological advancements. This longevity suggests a stable yet dynamic work environment with established operational