JOHN HEIN, MBA, PMP

Director of Operations | Doctoral Student | Global Supply Chain | Operations Management | Supplier Relationship Management | Procurement | Contract Negotiations | Cost Optimization | Lean Six Sigma

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

About

Global Strategic Sourcing • Supplier Management • Supply Chain Operations Optimization • Experienced global manufacturing leader with proven success driving transformation, sustainability, and scalability of global sourcing and supply chain operations through strategic and innovative programs. STRATEGIC GLOBAL SOURCING Experienced managing large portfolios with expansive programs touching on new product introductions (NPI) and advanced technologies. Successfully executed the launch of 20+ new products to market at a Fortune 500 enterprise with expertise in navigating new supplier onboarding and relationships, material shortages, rework and shipment challenges, and overall output ability. PROGRAM STRATEGY & EXECUTION Deep expertise in designing and leading programs that deliver on profitability, product-line effectiveness, and on-time delivery with minimal business impact. Initiatives also deliver significant cost reductions and optimization while maintaining safety and quality metrics. ADVOCATE FOR LEAN SIX SIGMA & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT Extensive career in manufacturing with a broad background overseeing Lean Six Sigma and continuous improvement initiatives for large Fortune 500 enterprises. Success driving costs down and improving productivity and output through evolvement and improvement of operations. CORE COMPETENCIES • Strategic Planning & Execution • Global Sourcing & Supply Chain Management • Procurement & Supply Chain Transformation • Program Management – New Product Introductions/launches • Supplier Identification, Onboarding, and Performance Mgmt. • Global Supplier Relationship Management • Complex Contract Negotiations • Process & Productivity Improvement/Deployment • Lean and Six Sigma | Continuous Process Improvement • Budget and Resource Management • Cost Management – Forecasting & Analyzing • Leadership, Coaching, Mentoring, & Development AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP Driven to lead, inspire, and empower teams to not only excel in their careers but also build legacies by being recognized as change agents who transform operations and deliver impactful results. Dedicated to making a difference, inspiring others to dare, learn, and conquer for personal and professional development.

Experience

  • Speaker and Lecturer at University of St. Thomas
    May 2018 - Present · 8 yrs 3 mos

    Agile Software Processes 627: - December 2023 - Team Dynamics Management 482: Leadership Capstone, 2019 - Present - May 2026 - Supply Chain Simulation Leader - February 2026 - Supply Chain Simulation Leader - May 2025 - Supply Chain Simulation Leader - February 2025 - Supply Chain Simulation Leader - May 2024 - Supply Chain Simulation Leader - May 2023 - Supply Chain Simulation Leader - May 2022 - Supply Chain Simulation Leader - May 2021 - Supply Chain Simulation Leader - May 2020 - Supply Chain Simulation Leader - May 2019 - Supply Chain Simulation Leader Management 603: Leading Self and Others - July 2023 - Simulation Leader Management 623: Project Management, 2018 – Present Speaker and Lecturer: - October 2025 - Risk Mindset: Looking Through the Supply Chain Lens - January 2025 - Risk Mindset: Looking Through the Supply Chain Lens - July 2024 - Risk Mindset: Looking Through the Supply Chain Lens - January 2024 - Risk Mindset: Looking Through the Supply Chain Lens - July 2023 - Risk Mindset: Looking Through the Supply Chain Lens - January 2023 - Supply Chain Risk Management - July 2022 - Supply Chain Risk Management - January 2022 - Supply Chain Risk and Change Mindset - July 2021 - Supply Chain Risk and Change Mindset - January 2021 - Supply Chain Risk and Change Mindset - July 2020 - Supply Chain Risk and Change Mindset - January 2020 - Supply Chain Risk and Change Mindset - July 2019 - Supply Chain Risk and Change Mindset - January 2019 - Risk: Supply Chain View - July 2018 - Risk: Supply Chain View MBA, Graduate Certificate in Global Business, and MS in Business Analytics Speaker and Lecturer: - April 2023 - Ports and Logistics Lead Club, 2018 – Present Speaker and Leader Supply Chain Operations Management Club, 2018 – Present Speaker and Leader

  • Torch + Everwise Mentor at Everwise
    Apr 2018 - Present · 8 yrs 4 mos

    "Torch + Everwise connects employees with the people, resources and feedback they need to be more successful at every stage of their career. As an Rorch + Everwise mentor, I help guide high-potential professionals to make the most of their leadership capabilities." Specializing in program management, strategic global sourcing, and product/project management.

  • Director of Operations at Power/mation
    Feb 2024 - Nov 2025 · 1 yr 10 mos

  • Global Strategic Sourcing Manager - Electrical and Hydraulics at Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc.
    Apr 2023 - Feb 2024 · 11 mos

    Overseeing the overarching Global Sourcing strategy for Loram, I was accountable for optimizing and improving overall global supply chain operations and delivering on tactical KPIs within the electrical and hydraulics division with a multi-million dollar spend. SUPPLY CHAIN OPTIMIZATION Focused on leading significant programs to improve costs, on-time delivery, continuity of supply, and expand the supplier base to minimize business risk, I successfully drove immediate improvements and exceeded the first year goals. SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT I led the utilization of formal master supply agreements, commodity, and material authorization agreements, to improve contract coverage and business risk. GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN MENTORSHIP Identifying an opportunity to advance the supply chain organization, I set up a mentorship program to enhance cross-cultural collaboration, knowledge sharing, evolvement of processes, installation of best practices, and foster innovation and professional growth. EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM The Emergency Response Team (ERT) creates, implements, updates, and maintains an appropriate action plan. The ERT provides technical assistance, resources, and coordination on preparedness, planning, response, and recovery activities for emergencies for Loram.

  • Polaris Inc. (7 yrs 1 mo)
    • Sr. Manager Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Development PG&A | Parts, Garments, and Accessories
      Sep 2021 - Dec 2022 · 1 yr 4 mos

      Business Division: PG&A – Parts, Garments, and Accessories As the global strategic sourcing and supplier development lead, I oversaw a large portfolio of current and new products within the PG&A division. Leading a tactical team, I focused on promoting business value through global supplier management, cost and quality improvement, risk mitigation, and delivery of critical KPIs. SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGY I managed the development of long-range and annual operating plans that supported the organization's strategic objectives and delivered on product strategies. GLOBAL SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT Overseeing a global supplier network, I managed performance improvement and capability enhancements of existing suppliers and led the qualification, selection, and onboarding of new suppliers. I directed the strategic direction, best practices, and performance management activities that maximized customer and financial performance. COST MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES Focused on driving division optimization and output, I actively identified and executed innovative ‘white space’ strategies that targeted offensive and defensive cost management strategies. As a result, I outpaced KPI targets with multi-million dollar cost reductions while also driving down cost avoidances in the millions. OPERATIONS LEADERSHIP Tasked with piloting a strategic program with operational oversight for the drop-ship supplier/fulfillment operations, I managed the drop-shipper qualification, approval, contract, launch, and ongoing development and performance management. Selected by executive leadership for the Polaris Leadership Development Program through the University of Minnesota.

    • Senior Manager Strategic Sourcing - New Product Introduction
      Mar 2017 - Sep 2021 · 4 yrs 7 mos

      Global Categories: Off-Road - RzR, RgR, General, ATV, Youth, Advanced Technologies, and International (EMEA/APAC/LATAM) Teams: Advanced Sourcing, NPI Strategic Sourcing Project Management, Materials, and Logistics. Leading program management for a sourcing team responsible for 5 business divisions, I actively oversaw a multi-million-dollar budget and a team of 25+. I managed international programs driving communication and direction across stakeholders, leadership, and teams to promote a best-in-class operation with a continual focus on advancement, scalability, and alignment to business objectives. Passionate for change management and creating solutions that support the business, its customers, employees, and suppliers, I consistently delivered innovative and strategic programs that drove the division's advancement and excellence. NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS: I led the launch of 20+ new global product lines, managing global sourcing, creating schedules, assessing risk, and overseeing gate/stage processes. PROFITABILITY THROUGH COST SAVINGS: Overseeing a large portfolio I accelerated global growth, delivered on safety and quality objectives and managed a lean operation focused on tactical negotiations. I have successfully delivered YOY cost reductions through the attainment of strategic suppliers. - Achieved recognition with the Polaris Platinum award and multiple Star awards. - Selected to complete the Polaris Leadership Development Program from the University of Minnesota. MITIGATION OF ISSUES: I was successful at identifying potential supplier issues and effectively negotiated and strategized execution to deliver products on time. Through a proactive and responsive approach, the team achieved the largest number of vehicles ever shipped in one quarter.

    • Electrical Category Lead
      Dec 2015 - Feb 2017 · 1 yr 3 mos

      Directing a team of 6 buyers and purchasing agents I was accountable for 8 product categories utilized by all of Polaris product lines as Electrical Category Lead. Categories: Power Steering, electric power train, harnesses, batteries [lead acid and Lithium Ion], lighting, audio equipment, switches/sensors, and gauges and displays. Process Improvement: Focused on driving process improvement initiatives I led a solution to refocus new product development procedures and engage teams earlier in the design phase which resulted in greater supplier competition and reduced product costs. Contract Negotiations: Managing a large global supplier network, I oversaw contract negotiations, currency agreements, and confidentiality requirements throughout APAC, EMEA, LATAM, and North America. I successfully deployed cost savings initiatives with a strong focus on contract renegotiation analysis to identify areas for improvement, gaps, and future strategies to capture multi-million dollar savings.