Manufacturing Strategy Lead

We're looking for a Manufacturing Strategy Lead to help OEMs de-risk and scale their hardware in a shifting global supply chain.We're seeking an experienced, technically minded business development professional to join Inertia as our Manufacturing Strategy Lead. This role is designed for someone who understands the realities of modern hardware production and can speak credibly about supply chain risk, tariff pressure, and the challenges of scaling across North America and APAC.You'll act as a trusted advisor to operations, engineering, and supply chain leaders, helping them navigate rising costs, geopolitical uncertainty, and unstable supplier ecosystems. You will position Inertia's hybrid North America and APAC manufacturing model as a strategic path to resilience, cost control, and predictable scale.If you thrive at the intersection of manufacturing strategy, commercial problem-solving, and technical credibility, this role is for you.About Inertia Inertia helps product innovators turn complex hardware ideas into launched and scalable products. We provide an integrated ecosystem spanning engineering, supply chain, pilot builds, and volume manufacturing across North America and APAC.Our hybrid model combines APAC's speed and ecosystem depth with North America's quality, compliance, and oversight-giving growing companies a scalable path from prototype to production. We specialize in regulated, multi-technology hardware where stability, traceability, and repeatability matter most. Our clients rely on us to launch faster, reduce risk, and build resilient dual-shore manufacturing strategies.Who We Are Looking For You have: 5-10+ years of experience in B2B sales, technical business development, or customer-facing roles within manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, or industrial solutions. A track record of engaging OEM customers on complex, high-stakes initiatives where manufacturing, quality, cost, and supply chain decisions materially affect business outcomes. Experience or demonstrated exposure to selling or supporting complex hardware programs, such as medical devices, diagnostics, clean-tech, or industrial systems. Experience working alongside or within pilot builds, verification and validation workflows, or NPI programs, with a practical understanding of how products transition from development into stable production. Proven ability to navigate long, multi-stakeholder sales cycles, engaging engineering, operations, supply chain, and executive decision-makers over extended timelines. Strong ability to diagnose customer problems, frame them clearly, and guide teams toward structured technical and commercial solutions. Excellent communication skills and the ability to simplify complex manufacturing or supply chain challenges for senior leaders. A disciplined, organized approach to pipeline management, forecasting, and CRM hygiene. You are someone who: Thrives in consultative, strategic conversations and is comfortable discussing manufacturing risk, supply chain exposure, cost-to-scale tradeoffs, and right-shoring strategies. Can credibly engage COOs, VPs of Operations, Engineering Directors, and Supply Chain leaders with a clear point of view on how manufacturing strategy must evolve under tariffs, cost inflation, and global instability. Listens intently, asks sharp questions, and communicates recommendations with confidence and humility. Is comfortable challenging assumptions respectfully and constructively when it serves the client's long-term success. Works collaboratively across engineering, project management, operations, finance, and quality teams. Takes ownership, follows through, and consistently delivers value to clients and internal stakeholders. Wants to play a meaningful role in helping complex hardware programs succeed in the real world, not just on paper. Assets, Not Requirements Experience or exposure in the following areas is considered a strong asset, but not required: Direct experience operating in ISO 9001 and/or ISO 13485 quality management environments. Selling or supporting regulated manufacturing programs , including familiarity with documentation, traceability, or audit-driven workflows. Experience with dual-source, tariff-mitigation, or hybrid North America and APAC manufacturing strategies . Prior collaboration with manufacturing engineering, quality, or operations teams in a production environment. Experience selling complex, multi-disciplinary solutions with both technical and executive buying groups. Responsibilities As a Manufacturing Strategy Lead reporting to the President, you will be responsible for identifying, developing, and converting new manufacturing opportunities that align with Inertia's integrated manufacturing strategy and dual-shore ecosystem.Specifically, you will:Lead new business development efforts for Inertia's contract manufacturing services, targeting opportunities that align with our capabilities in low- to mid-volume production, product assembly, supply chain management, and value engineering. Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified manufacturing leads using inbound, outbound, and relationship-driven approaches, leveraging CRM data to drive disciplined follow-up and conversion. Identify OEMs facing tariff pressure, unstable supply chains, long lead times, or escalating North American manufacturing costs, and position Inertia's hybrid North America and APAC model as a strategic alternative. Support the creation and delivery of proposals and quotations in partnership with Manufacturing Operations and Finance, ensuring technical accuracy, commercial competitiveness, and alignment with Inertia's value proposition. Represent Inertia externally at tradeshows, conferences, and client meetings to position Inertia as a trusted manufacturing partner within Canada and international markets. Cultivate relationships with ecosystem partners, including accelerators, industry trade organizations, component suppliers, and distributors, to build a network that supports scalable and competitive supply chain solutions. Analyze and report on sales performance, pipeline metrics, and market intelligence to inform go-to-market strategy and continuous improvement of sales processes. Collaborate with Marketing to shape campaigns, content, and case studies that attract high-fit manufacturing clients and communicate Inertia's unique hybrid development-to-manufacturing model. Champion client satisfaction through attentive communication, effective scoping, and consistent follow-up, ensuring client needs are met or exceeded throughout the engagement. Contribute to strategic account growth by identifying opportunities for repeat business, value engineering, and long-term manufacturing partnerships. Continuously improve sales operations, including CRM discipline, quoting workflows, and proposal templates to support scalability and efficiency. Actively promote health, safety, and quality, ensuring all opportunities align with Inertia's ISO-certified management systems and commitment to excellence. Perform other relevant duties as may be assigned. Interested in Joining Our Team? Our people are our single biggest advantage. We have a talented and motivated team looking for more great people to work and grow with. We've built an amazing culture on a foundation of openness, service, and integrity - that also makes for a great place to work. Inertia has been a certified Great Place to Work for the last six years based on our practices and third-party employee survey results. If you're interested in becoming part of our team, learn more about our values at . If you feel your values fit with ours, then we're off to a great start What We Offer Competitive compensation and benefits are just the start. At Inertia you will have the opportunity to help build the kind of experience and company you want to be part of. You'll be treated as a part of the team from day one.We create truly unique products and outstanding customer experiences. You'll have the opportunity to be a key part of the customer journey, from first contact through to product delivery as Inertia works in all stages of the product development and manufacturing process.We are big believers in continuous growth. You'll have the opportunity to learn and grow, maybe more than any company you've worked with (our employees have told us so).Friendliness and smarts are not mutually exclusive at Inertia. You'll work with a diverse group of world-class team members that are open, collaborative, friendly and even a little whacky at times.Inertia is committed to building a diverse team and providing a safe and inclusive workplace. We are continually learning and growing, including in our efforts to improve diversity and build equity - come join usEmployment Type: Full TimePrimary Work Location: We will consider remote or hybrid within Southwestern Ontario (Kitchener/Waterloo preferred). Our base office is out of our 34 Kern Road, Unit 3, Toronto, Ontario, Canada office. Must be able to work in the office to support project and team needs as required. Must be legally permitted to work in Canada. Occasional international travel may be required.Compensation: We offer a competitive compensation package including a base salary in the range of $90,000-$120 . click apply for full job details