Manager, Commercial Operations

Job Description

Job Description

Toyota Racing Development inspires the hearts and minds of racing fans, Toyota team members, customers, and the driving public. We are dedicated to advancing automotive engineering and maximizing success. We partner with the finest race teams and drivers who share our passion, and our actions foster an atmosphere of excellence. In our pursuit of becoming the most respected and premier motorsports engineering organization in the world, we are looking for highly motivated applicants for our open positions.

TRD is looking for a highly motivated and experienced Manager, Commercial Operations, to join the team.

As the Manager, Commercial Operations at Toyota Racing Development, you will oversee the day-to-day operations of our commercial warehouse, supply chain, and post-machining assembly teams. You will lead a team of supervisors and front-line team members, driving performance, efficiency, and continuous improvement across all operational areas. This role requires a strong people leader with a solid foundation in ERP/MRP systems, supplier management, warehousing best practices, and enough technical aptitude to support and improve assembly operations. You will partner closely with the Manufacturing Department and Commercial Department to translate customer demand into smooth operational execution. Experience with OEM automotive supply chains is highly valued and considered a strong plus for this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of supervisors and team members across warehouse, supply chain, inspection, and assembly functions, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.

• Plan and manage daily, weekly, and monthly operational activities to meet customer delivery commitments and internal production goals.

• Manage supply chain activities including demand planning, inventory replenishment, and coordination of material flow to support assembly schedules.

• Administer and optimize the use of ERP/MRP systems for production scheduling, inventory control, procurement, and demand forecasting across commercial product lines.

• Translate customer demand forecasts into actionable internal supply and production plans; communicate proactively with commercial and customer-facing teams on order status and operational constraints.

• Manage purchase order creation, receipt, and non-conformance resolution in collaboration with the procurement and quality teams.

• Develop, manage, and strengthen supplier relationships — including qualification, performance monitoring, issue resolution, and ongoing negotiation to ensure quality, delivery, and cost objectives are met.

• Support post-machining assembly operations by identifying process inefficiencies, supporting tooling and workflow improvements, and ensuring team members have the resources and training to perform effectively.

• Oversee inbound and outbound warehouse operations, including receiving, inventory management, picking, packing, and shipping, ensuring adherence to industry best practices and compliance requirements.

• Prepare and manage operational budgets; track and report on KPIs including fill rates, on-time delivery, inventory accuracy, and labor utilization.

• Conduct regular performance reviews, team meetings, and cross-functional huddles to drive alignment, surface issues early, and maintain operational momentum.

• Ensure a safe working environment through proactive safety practices, team training, and compliance with applicable regulations and company policies.

A successful candidate will have:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Operations, Industrial Management, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered.

• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in operations, supply chain, or warehouse management, including at least 2 years in a people leadership role managing supervisors and/or team members.

• Demonstrated proficiency with ERP and MRP systems (e.g., Syspro, SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar) for production planning, inventory management, and procurement.

• Proven experience managing supplier relationships, including sourcing, performance management, and contract administration.

A successful candidate should have knowledge, skills and experience including:

• Experience managing warehouse and distribution operations, including familiarity with standard warehousing methodologies (5S, lean, WMS platforms).

• Working knowledge of post-machining assembly or light manufacturing operations — sufficient to evaluate processes, support efficiency improvements, and communicate effectively with technical team members.

• Familiarity with demand and supply planning concepts including BOM’s, routes, safety stock, lead time management, and MRP run interpretation.

• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project) and comfort working with data to drive operational decisions.

• Experience with supplier audits, corrective action processes, and vendor scorecards.

• Experience working within or directly supporting an OEM automotive supply chain — including familiarity with OEM scheduling systems, supplier portals, automotive quality standards (e.g., IATF 16949, PPAP, 8D problem solving), or automotive-specific demand signals — is a strong plus.

• Solid understanding of quality management principles relevant to warehousing and assembly (e.g., receiving inspection, non-conformance tracking).

• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

• Effective communication skills — able to work effectively across operational teams, commercial counterparts, and senior leadership.

• Motorsports, automotive, or high-performance manufacturing background is a plus but not required; direct experience within an OEM automotive supply chain (e.g., Tier 1/Tier 2 supplier, OEM procurement, or automotive production operations) is considered a strong plus.

• APICS CSCP, CPIM, or similar supply chain certification is a plus.

Physical & Travel Requirements

• Willingness to work overtime as required.

• Traveling up to 15% of the time.

You should be proficient in:

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Warehouse Experience
• Operational Metrics & KPI Management
• ERP & MRP Systems
• Supply Chain Management
• High-level Operations Analysis
• Budgeting / Forecasting Experience