Head of Supply Chain

Hermeus•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

Hermeus is a venture-backed defense aviation company reclaiming the lost art of rapid iterative prototyping to build the fastest aircraft in the world today. By prioritizing relentless hardware iteration, we deliver high-speed systems at the pace of the modern battlefield. We work with the Department of War to provide the high-speed capabilities our nation and its allies need to maintain a durable, asymmetric advantage. We are seeking a strategic and systems-minded leader to build, own, and lead Hermeus' end-to-end Supply Chain function. You will define the strategy, build the organization, and establish integrated processes to support our ambitious roadmap; developing scalable, fit-for-purpose practices across the full lifecycle from advanced development to full-rate production. Working directly with executive leadership, you'll translate company objectives into actionable supply chain strategies, building resilient supplier networks and disciplined processes that connect suppliers to shop floor with transparency and accountability. You'll ensure supply chain is a strategic enabler of Hermeus' mission.

Requirements

10+ years of supply chain/procurement experience in aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing
5+ years in leadership roles building and scaling teams
Experience across the full product lifecycle (development through production)
Deep expertise in sourcing, supplier management, and procurement operations
Strong systems thinker with experience building scalable processes and working with ERP/MRP systems
Comfortable operating in fast-paced, high-growth environments

Nice To Haves

Startup or high-growth company experience
Background in aerospace programs, propulsion, avionics, or flight hardware
Experience with ITAR/EAR, classified programs, or government contracting
ERP implementation or transformation experience
Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience

Responsibilities

Define and execute supply chain strategy as the company scales from R&D to production
Build and lead a high-performing organization, establishing structure, roles, and operating cadence
Partner with leadership to align supply chain capabilities with engineering, manufacturing, and business priorities
Drive make-vs-buy decisions and vertical integration strategy
Establish scalable processes, KPIs, and systems for end-to-end visibility and control
Own procurement execution across direct, indirect, and long-lead materials
Ensure efficient material flow, supplier performance, and operational readiness
Continuously evolve processes to match the shift from prototype to production
Build and manage a network of high-performing suppliers
Own supplier lifecycle from selection through performance management
Negotiate key agreements balancing cost, quality, delivery, and partnership
Identify and mitigate risks across supply base, long-lead items, and critical paths
Partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and IT
Align engineering schedules, production plans, and supplier capacity
Drive accountability, transparency, and strong communication across teams