Director of Supply Chain Network Operations

Advantest is seeking a Director of Supply Chain Network Operations to build and lead a new Operations organization that delivers the company's business strategy through scalable, reliable, and efficient execution.  The Director will help build and strengthen the organization by defining its structure, roles and responsibilities, governance, processes, competencies, and performance management framework, while recruiting talent and developing the capabilities it needs.

In parallel, the Director will provide strategic and hands-on partnerships across Planning, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Procurement, Finance, and commercial functions to build an integrated operating model.  This model turns business demand and strategic priorities into actionable operational plans and measurable results, ensuring operational excellence, business continuity, and scalable growth.  The Director will build the model and lead the team that delivers end-to-end operational performance across customer delivery, outsourced manufacturing management, supply and capacity management, inventory and supply chain cost management, and operational excellence.

Job responsibilities

1. Building and Strengthening the Operations Organization

• Establish and continuously strengthen the Operations team, including organizational structure, roles, responsibilities, decision rights, operations governance, recruiting, and talent development to support business growth and scalability

2. Lead Operations Strategy & Execution

• Develop and execute the Operations strategy aligned with business objectives and customer requirements
• Establish KPIs and performance management mechanisms to ensure effective execution and accountability for inventory performance, service levels, supply reliability, and other supply chain metrics.
• Oversee supply chain network compliance with rules and regulations.

3. Drive Excellence in Customer Service Level

• Ensure reliable product delivery against customer commitments and lead initiatives to improve fulfillment efficiency, order accuracy, delivery performance, and customer experience.
• Proactively manage to identify and resolve material, production capacity, and logistics constraints through cross-functional recovery and escalation activities when delivery performance is at risk.

4. Optimize Capacity, Supply & Inventory

• Manage to balance demand, capacity, material availability, inventory, and resources to enable sustainable growth.
• Monitor inventory levels, safety stock strategies, product availability, and inventory health across all distribution channels.
• Identify capacity gaps and lead operational readiness for production ramps and capacity expansion.
• Drive inventory and supply strategies that balance customer service, working capital, and operational risk.
• Identify and mitigate supply risks through proactive planning, scenario analysis, and contingency strategies.

5. Build a High-Performance Culture and Lead Operational Excellence

• Establish a structured continuous improvement process and lead change management to drive quality, productivity, cost, lead time, and overall operational performance.
• Create a culture of ownership, accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer focus, which will be the fundamental capabilities of the organization for future growth.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business, or a related field; advanced degree such as an MBA is preferred.
• 10+ years of proven experience in leading outsourced manufacturing, operations, supply chain, or related functions, including significant leadership responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience building, restructuring, or developing an Operations organization through organizational design, governance, and talent development, with strong people leadership skills and a track record of developing managers and high-performing teams.
• Strong understanding of S&OP, demand and supply planning, manufacturing operations, capacity management, inventory, quality, and cost management.
• Experience managing operational challenges involving supply constraints, capacity expansion, production ramp-up, or changing customer demand.
• Ability to translate business strategy and customer demand into practical operational priorities and execution plans.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and operational trade-offs.
• Excellent communication and change-management skills in a cross-functional and potentially global environment.
• English communication capability; Japanese language capability may be advantageous to support shared service environment.
• Occasional travel to Malaysia and Japan may be required.