Operations Lead

Operations Lead

Power to Hydrogen is seeking a skilled and motivated Operations Lead to join our team and help commercialize our next generation Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) Electrolyzers. The Operations Lead is a critical operational role at Power to Hydrogen, responsible for the end-to-end flow of materials, components, and finished systems from initial sourcing through delivery to the customer or field site. This person sits at the intersection of procurement, quality assurance, inventory management, production scheduling, shipping and receiving, and ERP implementation, and serves as the connective tissue between our engineering team and our supply chain. The ideal candidate is highly organized, comfortable with ambiguity, and motivated by the challenge of building operational systems from scratch in a fast-moving startup environment.

Responsibilities

Procurement

• Source, evaluate, and qualify suppliers for raw materials, mechanical and electrical components, specialty chemicals, and indirect goods required for electrolyzer manufacturing and R&D
• Issue and manage purchase orders; track open orders against delivery commitments and escalate delays proactively
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, and terms with suppliers; build and maintain a preferred vendor list
• Identify opportunities to reduce cost and lead time through dual-sourcing, blanket orders, or vendor consolidation

Quality Assurance

• Develop and maintain incoming inspection procedures for purchased components and materials
• Perform or coordinate receiving inspections; document non-conformances and drive corrective action with suppliers
• Maintain certificates of conformance, material test reports, and other quality records required for traceability
• Support internal quality audits and assist engineering in root cause analysis for field or production failures linked to supplied materials
• Collaborate with engineering to translate design specifications into clear procurement requirements and acceptable quality standards
• Track and report supplier quality metrics; escalate chronic issues and support supplier improvement initiatives

Inventory Management

• Own the accuracy and organization of the company's parts and materials inventory system - physical counts, system records, and storage locations
• Implement and maintain inventory management processes including cycle counting, min/max replenishment, and kitting for production builds
• Manage tooling and capital equipment records
• Coordinate with the operations team on material readiness for scheduled builds and prevent shortages from impacting production
• Establish and enforce labeling, storage, and handling standards appropriate for the company's materials (including hazardous or sensitive items)
• Identify and disposition obsolete, damaged, or excess inventory

Production Scheduling

• Develop and maintain the master production schedule in coordination with engineering, operations, and leadership
• Track component availability and flag risks to build timelines; work procurement and inventory levers to keep schedules on track
• Communicate schedule status and changes clearly to internal stakeholders
• Coordinate with external fabricators, assemblers, or test facilities where work is performed off-site
• Maintain project tracking tools and provide regular reporting on key milestones, open actions, and delivery commitments

Shipping and Receiving

• Manage all inbound and outbound shipments - domestic parcel, LTL/FTL freight, and international ocean or air cargo - from booking through proof of delivery
• Prepare and review export documentation - commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin, shipper's letters of instruction - in compliance with US export regulations and destination country import requirements
• Ensure compliance with US Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and ITAR requirements as applicable; maintain export records in accordance with regulatory retention requirements
• Perform receiving functions: verify incoming shipments against purchase orders and packing documentation, inspect for damage, record discrepancies, and route materials to appropriate storage or inspection areas
• Coordinate scheduling of inbound deliveries and outbound pickups with carriers and internal operations staff
• Maintain shipping supply inventory (cartons, pallet materials, labels, dunnage) and ensure the shipping and receiving area is organized, safe, and audit-ready
• Track shipments in transit and proactively communicate status and exceptions to internal stakeholders
• Manage relationships with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and carriers for domestic and international shipments (including containerized equipment exports)

ERP and Enterprise Systems Implementation

• Lead or co-lead the selection, configuration, and rollout of an ERP or integrated inventory/operations management system appropriate for Power to Hydrogen's current scale and growth trajectory
• Work with leadership and department heads to define system requirements, map existing workflows, and identify gaps the ERP will address (procurement, inventory, production scheduling, shipping, financials integration)
• Coordinate with the ERP vendor or implementation partner on configuration, data migration, user setup, and testing
• Develop and deliver end-user training; create documentation and standard operating procedures for system use
• Serve as the internal system administrator and first point of contact for user questions, troubleshooting, and ongoing configuration needs
• Identify and implement continuous improvements to system utilization as the company's operations mature - adding modules, refining workflows, and expanding integrations (e.g., accounting, CRM, or MES systems)
• Maintain data integrity across the system: part numbers, vendor records, BOMs, inventory locations, transaction history, etc.

Desired Qualifications/Skills

Required

• 48 years of experience in supply chain, logistics, procurement, or operations - preferably in a manufacturing, industrial, or engineering environment
• Working knowledge of procurement processes: RFQs, purchase orders, supplier negotiation, and vendor management
• Experience with inventory management principles and practices (cycle counting, MRP/ERP systems, kitting)
• Hands-on experience with shipping and receiving functions, including preparation and verification of freight documentation
• Familiarity with domestic freight logistics (parcel, LTL, FTL) and standard shipping paperwork
• Prior involvement in an ERP implementation, rollout, or ongoing administration (any platform)
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities without dropping details
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace; comfort learning and administering new software tools
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills

Preferred

• Experience with international freight and export compliance (EEI/AES filing via ACE, Incoterms, HS/Schedule B codes, customs brokerage coordination), including Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and documentation best practices
• Background in a startup, R&D, or early-stage manufacturing environment where processes are still being built
• Experience leading or project-managing an ERP selection and implementation from requirements definition through go-live
• Familiarity with ERP or inventory management software (QuickBooks, Fishbowl, NetSuite, Odoo, or similar)
• Exposure to mechanical or electrical component sourcing - connectors, tubing, fittings, instrumentation, power electronics, or similar
• Knowledge of quality management principles (ISO 9001, AS9100, or comparable framework)
• Experience with hazardous materials handling, storage, or shipping documentation (IATA, IMDG, DOT)

Personal Competencies

• Ownership mindset - takes initiative, follows through, and holds suppliers and internal partners accountable
• Attention to detail - catches errors in documentation, part numbers, quantities, and specifications before they become problems
• Adaptability - comfortable building process where little exists and pivoting as company needs evolve
• Cross-functional collaboration - works effectively with engineers, technicians, and leadership without formal authority
• Sense of urgency - understands that schedule and material delays have real consequences and acts accordingly

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee may be required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, use hands and fingers to operate tools, equipment, and a computer, and view a computer screen