What I Do
What you get — at a glance
Prototype → Production scale-up infrastructure
25–40% cost reduction via negotiation & consolidation
CM selection, contracts & Asia supplier strategy
NetSuite · Arena PLM · 3PL systems integration
Vendor risk mapping & dual-source qualification
Fractional operations leadership — no 6-month ramp

Advisory built for
early-stage hardware

Emerging consumer electronics companies face the same challenge: they need executive-level operations leadership before they can afford to hire it full-time. I provide the strategic clarity and hands-on execution to bridge that gap.

Every engagement is structured around measurable outcomes — cost reduction, faster scale-up, stronger supplier leverage, and lower operational risk.

01

Prototype Build Schedule

Plan material flow across the EV, EVT, DVT, and PV build phases so each prototype gate has the right components on the right day — compressing development time without expedite costs or schedule slips.

  • EV → EVT → DVT → PV material planning
  • Long-lead component lock-down
  • Build gate readiness
02

Prototype to Production Scale-Up

Build the procurement infrastructure to move from prototype quantities into volume production without losing control of cost, quality, or schedule.

  • Supplier selection and qualification
  • BOM cost optimization
  • CM transition planning
03

Contract Negotiation

Commercial terms advisory for supplier contracts, CM agreements, and long-term supply arrangements — negotiating from a position of operational credibility.

  • MSA and pricing structures
  • Volume commitment strategy
  • IP and liability terms
04

Vendor Strategy & Risk Mitigation

Build executive-level relationships with Tier 1 and Tier 2 partners while addressing concentration risk, single-source dependencies, and geopolitical exposure — combining commercial leverage with supply chain resilience.

  • Vendor relationship management & roadmapping
  • Dual-source qualification & risk mapping
  • Asia manufacturing partnerships
05

Cost Reduction for Volume Production

Systematic review of material costs, contract terms, and production economics to drive down unit cost while protecting quality and on-time delivery.

  • Should-cost modeling
  • Resourcing and dual-sourcing
  • Commercial terms renegotiation
06

Manufacturing Readiness

Assess tooling, test processes, yield, and vendor accountability before committing to volume ramps. Prevent costly mistakes before they happen.

  • CTB analysis
  • Test process design
  • DFM/DFT review
Who I Work With

Seed and Series A
hardware companies

I work with companies that have:

  • Small supply chain teams (1–3 people)
  • Early-stage manufacturing (prototype to early production)
  • Need for enterprise-level operational discipline
  • Pressure to scale without the 6-month VP hiring cycle
See If We're a Fit

Thomas builds high-level vendor relationships that help small companies access stronger support, better responsiveness, improved commercial leverage, and more scalable manufacturing execution.

— Core Differentiator, Atcon Consulting

Ideal clients are seed and Series A consumer electronics companies with small supply chain teams moving from prototype or early production toward volume manufacturing — including teams managing global and Asia-based supplier footprints.