Director, Contract Manufacturing Operations

Evolv Technologies Inc.•Chicago, IL

1d•$160,000 - $200,000

About The Position

Evolv is seeking a Director of Contract Manufacturing Operations to lead the company’s outsourced manufacturing strategy and execution. The role will build the outsourced manufacturing function and scalable infrastructure from the ground up, balancing strategic planning with hands-on operational execution. The director will work across internal teams and contract manufacturing partners to ensure high-quality products are delivered on time and at scale, while driving operational excellence, supplier performance, production readiness, cost-effectiveness, and inventory management. The position will assess existing outsourced operations, establish supplier and production KPIs, develop manufacturing roadmaps, and align production planning with demand forecasts. It will oversee supplier performance dashboards, continuous improvement initiatives, cost-down strategies, risk management, and new product production ramp-ups. The director will also integrate manufacturing operations with Salesforce, Arena PLM, and NetSuite, apply lean manufacturing and Six Sigma principles, and ensure compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements. The role reports to Evolv’s Head of Supply Chain and Procurement. The initial focus is building a robust outsourced manufacturing infrastructure to support company growth and innovation. The operations team may expand as the company scales. The ideal candidate is located in the Midwest near Chicago, Illinois, and should anticipate approximately 20% domestic travel for supplier visits.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a scalable outsourced manufacturing strategy aligned with company growth, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
Lead cross-functional initiatives to improve supplier performance and production readiness.
Translate business goals into manufacturing roadmaps and KPIs, and report operational performance to executive leadership.
Assess current outsourced manufacturing operations and identify risks and opportunities.
Manage product cost, manufacturing variances, and inventory management.
Define and monitor supplier performance metrics, including on-time delivery, defect rates, throughput, production efficiency, and cost metrics.
Analyze production data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and cost-saving opportunities.
Work with internal stakeholders to forecast demand and align production planning to maintain production continuity.
Establish and manage supplier performance dashboards and reporting tools.
Launch and oversee continuous improvement initiatives with contract manufacturers, targeting efficiency gains.
Develop and execute cost-down strategies with measurable product-cost reduction targets.
Manage contract manufacturers to meet contractual obligations and performance standards.
Apply lean manufacturing and Six Sigma principles to reduce variances and optimize processes.
Integrate manufacturing operations with Salesforce, Arena PLM, and NetSuite for end-to-end visibility.
Support new product introductions and production ramp-ups while avoiding major delays.
Ensure manufacturing operations comply with contractual and regulatory requirements.
Conduct quarterly risk assessments and implement mitigation plans to prevent production disruptions.
Build and lead a high-performing team covering production planning, test engineering, and repair/refurbishment, with clear roles and development plans.
Travel domestically for supplier visits, approximately 20% of the time.