Senior Supply Chain Manager

About the CompanyAbout Us We are a stealth-mode Aerospace & Defense startup headquartered in El Segundo, CA. Our founding team hails from SpaceX, Anduril, and Lockheed Martin, and we are backed by Joint Staff-level military leadership and top-tier Silicon Valley rms. We're assembling a high-agency team committed to moving fast, solving hard problems, and defending what matters most. With a world-class business development & leadership team already in place, we are well positioned to capitalize on already overwhelming demand.Role OverviewAs our Supply Chain Manager you will stand up and scale a full-stack supply chain operation from the ground up. You will own vendor strategy, sourcing, procurement, warehousing and logistics for mission-critical components. You’ll work closely with engineering, manufacturing, and program teams to make sure we move as fast as our ambition demands.This is not a “manage-the-status-quo” role—this is a builder role. You’ll be expected to create structure where none exists, automate what can be automated, and push our suppliers to meet ambitious timelines with a high level of quality.Key ResponsibilitiesOwn the end-to-end procurement process: sourcing, negotiating, purchasing, and vendor managementDevelop a supplier network for mechanical, electrical, software, and COTS components aligned to defense-grade reliability and timelinesCollaborate with engineering to identify long-lead items early and develop should-cost modelsHelp set up and manage systems for inventory, ERP, MRP, and logisticsDrive cost, quality, and delivery (QCD) improvements using lean principles and supplier scorecardsBuild and manage strategic relationships with suppliers and contract manufacturersNavigate ITAR, DFARS, and other regulatory requirements without slowing down developmentScale the function from “scrappy startup” to “production-ready” as the company growsQualifications7+ years experience in supply chain, procurement, or sourcing, ideally in aerospace, defense, automotive, or high-growth hardwareDeep understanding of hardware and electrical product development cycles from prototyping to productionProven ability to negotiate contracts, manage supplier relationships, and deliver under pressureFamiliarity with defense compliance (e.g., ITAR, DFARS, FAR)Strong analytical and systems-thinking skills; ERP and MRP experience (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, or custom solutions)Who You AreA builder’s mindset: comfortable working with ambiguity, rolling up your sleeves, and figuring things out fastYou believe quality and speed are not mutually exclusive.You take ownership and drive continuous improvement without waiting for permission.