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Director of Supply Chain
— Scout Motors (A subsidiary of Volkswagen Group)
1. Location
South Carolina, USA
— Manufacturing Plant located in the Columbia area (A newly constructed EV manufacturing facility)2. Company Background
Scout Motors is a brand-new electric vehicle (EV) brand under the Volkswagen Group, dedicated to developing a product line of all-electric SUVs and pickup trucks specifically for the North American market.
The company is currently constructing a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in South Carolina. With an investment exceeding $2 billion, the project aims to establish a highly digitized and automated next-generation automotive manufacturing plant. This facility will serve as a pivotal cornerstone in the Volkswagen Group’s EV strategy for North America.
3. Reporting Structure
Reports to: General Manager (Plant) / VP, Supply Chain (North America)
Direct Reports: Heads of various functions including Procurement, Planning, Logistics, Warehousing, Supplier Management, etc. (Projected team size: 100–300+ employees)4. Role Context
As the construction of the new plant progresses from inception to realization, the company is urgently seeking a Supply Chain leader with proven “build-from-scratch” capabilities to spearhead the comprehensive design and implementation of the entire supply chain ecosystem.
This position is not merely an operational role, but a strategic one—requiring the incumbent to navigate a highly uncertain environment while constructing the entire end-to-end supply chain framework, ranging from supplier network design and cost structure modeling to comprehensive supply chain digitalization. 5. Core Responsibilities
5.1 Supply Chain System Establishment (0-to-1)
Lead the overall architectural design of the supply chain for a new manufacturing facility (Procurement + Planning + Logistics + Warehousing).
Develop a supply chain model tailored to the specific characteristics of the EV industry (covering batteries, electronic components, and critical parts).
Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs), a KPI framework, and governance mechanisms for the supply chain.
5.2 Supplier Strategy and Procurement Management
Build a supplier network spanning both local North American and global markets, and optimize the supplier base structure.
Lead the strategic procurement of critical components (e.g., batteries, semiconductors).
Drive supplier localization initiatives and cost optimization efforts.
5.3 Production Planning and Inventory Management
Establish an end-to-end Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) system to enhance demand forecasting accuracy.
Optimize inventory structure across raw materials, work-in-process (WIP), and finished goods.
Ensure stable supply to production lines and support manufacturing ramp-up phases.
5.4 Logistics and Warehousing System Development
Design inbound logistics, intra-plant logistics, and outbound distribution systems.
Optimize transportation networks and cost structures.
Drive the implementation of automated warehousing and intelligent logistics systems (WMS/TMS).
5.5 Digitalization and System Implementation
Lead the digital transformation of the supply chain (covering ERP, APS, and data platforms).
Promote data-driven decision-making across inventory, delivery, cost, and efficiency metrics.
Collaborate with the IT team to develop the supply chain modules for the “Digital Factory.”
5.6 Cost Control and Efficiency Improvement
Establish a total cost of ownership (TCO) model for the entire supply chain lifecycle.
Continuously optimize procurement costs, logistics expenses, and inventory turnover rates.
Champion the adoption of Lean Supply Chain principles.
5.7 Risk Management and Supply Chain Resilience
Establish mechanisms for identifying and responding to supply chain risks.
Address challenges related to geopolitics, raw material price volatility, and supply disruptions.
Enhance supply chain resilience and incorporate redundancy into system designs.
5.8 Team Building and Cross-Functional Collaboration
Build and lead a high-performance supply chain team.
Collaborate closely with manufacturing, quality assurance, R&D, and finance departments.
Drive a cultural transformation within the organization focused on “Speed + Precision + Data-centricity.”
6. Job Qualifications
6.1 Basic Requirements
Bachelor’s degree or higher (majors in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or related fields are preferred).
10+ years of experience in supply chain management, with at least 5 years in a team leadership/management role.
Experience within the automotive industry or advanced manufacturing sectors (experience with OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers is preferred).
6.2 Core Competencies
Proven experience in building supply chain systems from the ground up (Greenfield projects preferred)
Deep understanding of the EV supply chain (batteries, semiconductors/chips, electronic components)
Strong strategic thinking and execution capabilities (Strategy + Execution)
Familiarity with S&OP, Procurement, Logistics, and Inventory Management systems
6.3 Bonus Points
Experience working with large multinational corporations (e.g., Automotive OEMs)
Involvement in new factory construction or production ramp-up projects
Experience with digital supply chains or system implementation (e.g., SAP, Oracle)
Familiarity with the North American supply chain ecosystem and regulatory landscape
7. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Factory Launch Phase: Supply Chain Launch Readiness
Mass Production Phase: OTD (On-Time Delivery Rate), Inventory Turnover Rate
Cost Metrics: Procurement Cost Reduction Rate, Logistics Cost as a Percentage of Revenue
Risk Metrics: Number of Supply Disruptions, Emergency Response Efficiency
8. Role Highlights (Why this role?)
Participate in establishing one of the most significant new EV manufacturing plants in North America
Build a complete supply chain system from scratch, offering immense impact and influence
Directly contribute to the execution of the Volkswagen Group’s electrification strategy
A highly empowered position with significant strategic weight
Application ProcessInterested candidates are invited to submit their resumes to the email address below. Please include the following in the email subject line:
“Director of Supply Chain – Scout Motors – South Carolina”Email: thanksgiving0.0.60@gmail.com
We will prioritize contacting qualified candidates to arrange further discussions.