Jim Ward
About Jim Ward
Jim Ward is a Supply Chain Lead at Joby Aviation, with extensive experience in supply chain management across various industries. He has held senior roles at companies such as Seagate, Aruba, and Fitbit, and holds a BS in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering from Pennsylvania State University.
Current Role at Joby Aviation
Jim Ward serves as the Supply Chain Lead at Joby Aviation, a position he has held since 2020. In this role, he is responsible for leading the materials organization and warehouse management. His focus includes strategic global supplier management, ensuring efficient supply chain operations. Ward's leadership extends to managing global cross-functional teams, facilitating collaboration from engineering development through to production.
Previous Experience in Supply Chain Management
Prior to his current role, Jim Ward accumulated extensive experience in supply chain management across various companies. He worked at Kitty Hawk as Senior Manager of Supply Chain Management from 2018 to 2020. Before that, he held the position of Sr. Global Strategic Commodity Manager-Mechanicals at Fitbit from 2014 to 2017. His career also includes roles at TE Connectivity, Aruba, and Seagate, where he developed a robust skill set in managing supplier relationships and optimizing supply chain processes.
Educational Background in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Jim Ward earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. His educational background has provided him with a solid foundation in engineering principles, which he has applied throughout his career in various roles within supply chain management and operations.
Expertise in Supplier Management and Lean Practices
Ward specializes in interfacing research and development with hardware suppliers for new product introduction and production. He has extensive experience coordinating with suppliers and contract manufacturers, particularly in the Asia/Pacific region. Additionally, he promotes the adoption of Lean practices in supply chain management, aiming to enhance efficiency and reduce waste across operations.
Comprehensive Career Overview
Jim Ward's career spans several decades, beginning in 1985 at BFGoodrich Avionics Systems as an Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Manager. He has held various roles, including Procurement Manager at Siemens and Sr. Commodity Manager positions at Palm, Trimble Navigation, and TE Connectivity. His diverse experience across multiple industries has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of supply chain dynamics and operational excellence.