Role Description: VP Manufacturing & Supply Chain
About Equatic
Equatic addresses one of mankind’s most pressing problems, climate change, by removing carbon dioxide (CO2 ) from the atmosphere, while co-producing H2 as a green fuel, both at very low cost. This is based on a novel process that allows electrolyzing seawater, and which stabilizes carbon dioxide permanently in the form of dissolved bicarbonate ions (in seawater), and solid mineral carbonates. Equatic recently announced the construction of the world’s largest marine carbon dioxide removal facility in Singapore, with a CO2 removal capacity of ~3.5 kilotonnes CO2 per year, as well as engineering & design for a commercial plant in Canada with the capacity to remove 100 kilotonnes CO2 per year. Equatic has offtake contracts in place over up to 80 kilotonnes of CO2 removal credits and H2 production to fill the capacity of these plants.
https://www.equatic.tech/
About the role
Equatic is seeking an experienced VP Manufacturing & Supply Chain to develop and manage the company’s near- and mid-term manufacturing and supply chain setup. This is a critical role to drive Equatic’s deployment of CDR and H2 plants. You will engage with Equatic’s R&D, Engineering and Project Development teams to (i) build and manage internal capabilities to manufacture key unit operations against performance, schedule, and cost, and (ii) build commercial and strategic relationships with existing and new suppliers.
You will be self-motivated to define the manufacturing & supply chain vision and will play a critical role delivering a major solution to mitigate climate change. This position involves regular engagement with commercial, technical development, engineering and operations teams, and external partners. You must be ready to lead and deliver in an early-stage team environment.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop and implement a comprehensive manufacturing & supply chain strategy:
- Design a manufacturing & supply chain strategy that addresses near-term (0-12 month) and medium term (12-36 month) horizons, with clear objectives, resourcing and success factors at each stage
- Set up internal manufacturing & assembly infrastructure and team for key unit operations, to enable delivery of upcoming CDR plants
- Develop and extend strategic relationships with key suppliers to secure delivery against performance, quality, cost and schedule
- Partner closely with engineering and project development teams to identify and secure reliable vendors for critical components and tools
- Establishing Equatic as the priority customer with assurances for round-the-clock support and responsiveness
Optimize the internal team around procurement and Logistics:
- Lead the recruitment and mentorship of a skilled supply chain team (managers, buyers, planners) to streamline procurement processes and ensure delivery on KPIs
- Identify and implement innovative solutions to reduce cost, accelerate delivery, and improve quality and reliability
Ensure Supply Chain Resilience:
- Develop detailed cost and scaling models with the engineering and project development team to inform buy-vs-build assessments and strategic sourcing decisions
- Use data analysis to anticipate potential supply chain disruptions and proactively build relationships with alternative vendors
Build a Robust Infrastructure:
- Implement a robust supply chain infrastructure, including: supplier quality and performance monitoring processes, efficient inventory management systems, and streamlined purchasing and receiving procedures
Requirements & Qualifications
- Bachelor or Master’s degree in engineering or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- 10-15+ years of progressive experience in setting up and developing first-of-a-kind manufacturing in the (electro)chemical or mechanical sector
- Proven experience with international and domestic supply chain management, with a proven track record of success in sourcing off-the-shelf and bespoke components for large scale industrial supply chains and negotiating international licensing and supply agreements
- Proven ability to drive projects from conception to completion within strict timelines and budgets, while maintaining high quality standards, adhering to industry safety protocols, and navigating complex regulatory landscapes
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, effectively communicating technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Extensive experience in working with and motivating cross-functional teams of technical and commercial professionals, demonstrating a strong understanding of team dynamics and the ability to foster a collaborative and results-oriented environment
- Strong leadership and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make informed decisions under pressure, navigate complex challenges, and foster a culture of continuous improvement