Director, Contract Manufacturing Operations

Evolv Technologies Holdings•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Evolv is hiring a Director of Contract Manufacturing Operations to lead its outsourced manufacturing strategy and execution. This newly created role will build a scalable manufacturing infrastructure and ensure contract manufacturing partners deliver high-quality products on time and at scale. The position combines strategic planning with hands-on operational execution, with accountability for supplier performance, production readiness, product cost, manufacturing variances, and inventory management. The Director will develop the outsourced manufacturing function from the ground up, align manufacturing operations with company growth, and work cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and Legal. The role will establish supplier performance metrics and reporting, improve production efficiency, manage cost-down efforts, coordinate production planning with demand forecasts, and support new product introductions. It 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 initial focus is to build a robust outsourced manufacturing infrastructure. Over time, the operations team may expand to include program managers, production planners, and manufacturing engineers. The role reports to Evolv’s Head of Supply Chain and Procurement. The ideal candidate is located in the Midwest near Chicago, Illinois, or in the Boston area, and should anticipate approximately 20% domestic travel for supplier visits and contract manufacturing management.

Requirements

Experience leading or managing outsourced manufacturing operations and contract manufacturing partners.
Ability to develop and execute manufacturing strategy while also handling day-to-day operational execution.
Ability to work cross-functionally with internal stakeholders and external manufacturing partners.
Ability to use production data, performance metrics, dashboards, and reporting tools to guide decisions and communicate insights.
Knowledge of lean manufacturing and Six Sigma principles.
Ability to manage production planning in alignment with demand forecasts.
Ability to support new product introductions and production ramp-ups.
Ability to ensure compliance with manufacturing contractual and regulatory requirements.
Willingness and ability to travel domestically approximately 20% for supplier visits and contract manufacturing management.
Location in the Midwest near Chicago, Illinois, or the Boston area is stated as ideal.

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 key performance indicators.
Balance long-term strategic planning with hands-on operational execution.
Work with internal stakeholders to forecast demand and ensure production continuity.
Define and monitor supplier performance metrics, including on-time delivery, defect rates, and throughput.
Analyze production data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and cost-saving opportunities.
Use dashboards and reporting tools to communicate performance insights to executive leadership.
Integrate manufacturing operations with Salesforce, Arena PLM, and NetSuite for end-to-end visibility.
Apply lean manufacturing and Six Sigma principles to reduce variances and optimize processes.
Support new product introductions and production ramp-ups while avoiding major delays.
Ensure compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements in manufacturing operations.
Manage contract manufacturers to meet contractual obligations and performance standards.
Launch and oversee continuous improvement initiatives targeting 5–10% efficiency gains.
Develop and execute cost-down strategies targeting a 3–5% reduction in product costs over six months.
Align production planning with demand forecasts to support 95% or greater production continuity.
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.
Reduce manufacturing variances and inventory discrepancies through process optimization.
Deliver quarterly executive reports with actionable insights and progress against strategic manufacturing goals.