Global Supply Manager, CapEx & Manufacturing Tooling

Joby Aviation • San Carlos, CA

19h

About The Position

Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow passengers over the congested city streets below, enabling you to spend more time with the people and places that matter most. Since 2009, our team has worked steadily to make this dream a reality. We’ve designed and tested many generations of prototype aircraft capable of serving in a network of electric air taxis. We’re looking for talented, committed individuals to join our team as we push onward toward certifying the Joby aircraft, scaling our manufacturing, and launching our initial commercial service. Overview As a Global Supply Manager (GSM) specializing in Capital Expenditure (CapEx) and Manufacturing Tooling , you will own sourcing and procurement for the production equipment, tooling systems, and automation infrastructure that power Joby’s manufacturing operations. This is a critical, high-visibility role at the intersection of supply chain strategy and manufacturing execution—serving as the primary commercial interface between our supplier base and internal teams, including Manufacturing Engineering, Finance, Quality, and Legal. You will drive best-in-class equipment and tooling strategies that directly enable Joby to scale its electric air taxi production with speed, quality, and cost efficiency.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field plus 3+ years of experience in procurement or commodity management; or Master’s degree plus 1+ years; or in lieu of degree, a minimum of 8 years’ directly relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing CapEx and tooling procurement for manufacturing equipment, including negotiating and administering high-value capital equipment contracts.
• Proven track record of achieving meaningful cost savings and improving supply chain efficiency for capital equipment and tooling categories.
• Strong negotiation skills with experience managing complex, multi-variable commercial agreements for equipment, tooling, and related services.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, equipment specifications, and manufacturing process documentation; solid understanding of manufacturing process controls and quality assurance standards.
• Experience with should-cost modeling, total cost of ownership analysis, and capital equipment cost benchmarking.
• Strong cross-functional leadership abilities with a track record of managing complex procurement programs from conception through production readiness.
• Analytical mindset; proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Office products for cost modeling, spend analysis, and reporting.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, independently manage multiple concurrent projects, and adapt quickly to shifting priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; comfortable engaging with both technical and commercial stakeholders at all levels.

Nice To Haves

• Experience procuring composites or other large manufacturing tools, automation systems, robotic assembly equipment, precision machining equipment, or similar.
• Background in aerospace, defense, automotive, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with capital project management methodologies; experience supporting Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) from a commercial perspective.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., Microsoft Dynamics 365) for purchase order management, spend analytics, and supplier data management.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and how they inform equipment and tooling requirements.
• MBA or advanced degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, or Business Administration.

Responsibilities

• Sourcing & Commercial Execution Own the full RFQ and vendor selection process for manufacturing equipment, tooling, and automation systems in close partnership with Manufacturing Engineering and Operations teams.
• Lead price and commercial term negotiations to achieve best-in-class total cost of ownership for capital equipment and tooling purchases, including should-cost modeling and benchmarking against market rates.
• Ensure all commercial terms are formally documented; negotiate and close NDAs, Terms & Conditions, Master Purchase Agreements, and equipment-specific contracts prior to initiating business.
• Drive continual cost reduction and avoidance initiatives through competitive bidding, multi-sourcing strategies, and creative deal structures including consignment tooling, amortization agreements, and supplier-funded NRE.
• CapEx Strategy & Category Management Develop and execute a comprehensive CapEx sourcing strategy aligned with Joby’s production ramp objectives, covering manufacturing equipment, assembly tooling, fixturing, jigs, and semi-automated and automated production systems.
• Address all areas of category management including category business plans, capital equipment market conditions, technology roadmaps (robotics, automation, precision machining), cost modeling, and multi-year sourcing strategies.
• Identify and qualify new high-potential equipment and tooling suppliers globally; build a competitive supply base capable of supporting Joby’s long-term scaling needs.
• Consolidate spend across the supply base to create commercial leverage; analyze purchasing trends and develop dual-source or alternative sourcing options to mitigate supply risk.
• Provide regular upward reporting on CapEx procurement strategies, contract status, supply issues, and key performance indicators to senior leadership.
• Supplier Relationship & Performance Management Build and maintain strong, strategic relationships with key equipment and tooling suppliers, driving collaboration on lead time reduction, quality improvement, and continuous cost reduction.
• Manage supplier performance through defined KPIs; conduct periodic business reviews, supplier scorecarding, and structured dispute resolution.
• Develop corrective action plans for underperforming suppliers and identify strategic alternatives to mitigate identified risks to the production schedule.
• Identify and develop suppliers capable of supporting Joby’s long-term manufacturing requirements, including those with experience in aerospace, automotive, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Cross-Functional Program Management Participate in equipment scoping, design reviews, change control, and Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) with manufacturing engineering partners to ensure specifications are commercially viable and on schedule.
• Lead cross-functional teams to manage CapEx project timelines, maintaining action trackers, Gantt charts, and capital project dashboards to ensure equipment readiness aligns with production milestones.
• Identify and recommend value-engineering and design-to-cost opportunities in partnership with engineering to optimize equipment specifications without compromising quality or throughput.
• Ensure full compliance with Joby’s procurement policies, capital authorization processes, regulatory requirements, and ethical standards.
• Travel 15–25% to conduct supplier assessments, attend contract negotiations, and perform on-site program reviews.

Benefits

• Joby also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with a company match, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees