Sourcing & Logistics Manager

Aether Biomachines•Menlo Park, CA

About The Position

Aether is developing breakthrough biomanufacturing technologies to transform how the world makes materials. Our Materials Development team is scaling novel polymer additive systems into real-world, high-volume applications - and we’re doing it at startup speed. We are looking for someone who can operate in and reduce ambiguity, loves building systems from scratch, and is energized by having outsized ownership in a company where infrastructure decisions directly impact commercial success. Aether is seeking a Sourcing & Logistics Manager to build, refine, and own the chemical supply chain that enables our materials platform to scale globally. We need an experienced operator who can step in, stabilize the system, and lay the foundation for robust, scalable supply operations. You will manage the full lifecycle of polymer and additive sourcing, from supplier qualification to contract negotiation to storage and downstream delivery into our CMOs. You’ll work daily with partners and manufacturing sites, ensuring the right grades, volumes, prices, and delivery timelines - all while building redundancy and risk-mitigation into every step. If you’ve run supply chains for polymer materials before and want a role where you can build the entire sourcing and logistics infrastructure of a scaling company, this is one of the most high-impact roles at Aether.

Requirements

8+ years of sourcing, procurement, or logistics experience in the chemical or polymer materials industry.
Deep familiarity with polymer suppliers, CMOs, chemical distributors, and industrial logistics workflows.
U.S. supply chain experience, including domestic chemical sourcing, storage, shipping, and regulatory considerations.
Experience working directly with engineering and performance plastics.
Proven track record managing high-volume shipments (≥10 MT orders) and storage constraints.
Demonstrated success operating in ambiguous, high-velocity environments with significant autonomy.
Strong organization, communication, and vendor-management skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience implementing or contributing to the rollout of an ERP or MRP system.
EU sourcing experience or supplier networks in Europe.
Experience supporting or working within high-growth startups or small companies.
Background working with or inside CMOs or polymer manufacturing facilities.
Familiarity with waste management and regulatory processes for polymer/chemical materials.

Responsibilities

Secure and manage primary suppliers for our core polymers at the correct grades, volumes, pricing, and delivery cadences.
Establish backup suppliers and alternate grades to de-risk every major input.
Negotiate MOQs, storage terms, fulfillment schedules, and pricing agreements.
Build strong daily working relationships with CMOs and suppliers globally.
Set up external storage and downpacking solutions near CMOs
Build logistics workflows that ensure uninterrupted supply of polymers, additives, carbon fiber, and future materials.
Manage inventory levels, shipping schedules, and consumption forecasting across multiple sites.
Oversee compliant handling, transport, and documentation for polymer and chemical materials.
Replace manual workflows with structured, scalable processes that reduce operational risk.
Partner with internal teams to define requirements for an ERP system; optionally lead the implementation if desired.
Integrate inventory tracking between ERP (future) and Uncountable (our ELN and materials database).
Bring order, structure, and visibility to a currently fast-moving, ambiguous set of workflows.
Work daily with R&D, Materials Development, Program Management, and Marketing (for sample & product shipment coordination).
Collaborate closely with process and product development teams to align timelines, materials availability, and risk plans.
Serve as the connective tissue between technical development and external manufacturing.