Strategic Material Distribution Lead

Aurora • Pittsburgh, PA

80d • $94,000 - $151,000

About The Position

Aurora hires talented people with diverse backgrounds who are ready to help build a transportation ecosystem that will make our roads safer, get crucial goods where they need to go, and make mobility more efficient and accessible for all. We're searching for a Strategic Material Distribution Lead. In this role, you will be the primary point-of-contact and overseer of Aurora's Inventory Needs, leading a team tasked with operating across multiple rapidly changing operational environments including Manufacturing, R&D, Contract Manufacturing, and Fleet/Rework/Spares. You will set and execute the vision for Pittsburgh inventory operations, ensuring financial and operational accountability, leading communication and alignment routines, and championing continuous improvement.

Requirements

• 5-7+ years of inventory management or supply chain leadership experience, preferably in high-tech, automotive, aerospace, or manufacturing environments.
• Strong background in ERP/MRP systems (Oracle, SAP, NetSuite), inventory control, and financial accountability.
• Strong managerial and leadership skills, tested in a dynamic environment with continuously shifting priorities.
• Proven success leading cross-functional initiatives and delivering measurable improvements.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a start-up environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or related field (or equivalent experience).

Nice To Haves

• Start-up or fast-growth company experience.
• Familiarity with contract manufacturing and offshore supply chain operations.
• Exposure to autonomy, robotics, automotive, or other emerging technologies.

Responsibilities

• Ensure availability and accuracy of materials feeding production.
• Balance speed of prototyping with financial accountability.
• Maintain visibility, reconciliation, and timely replenishment with external partners.
• Provide accurate inventory to sustain fleet, field operations, and repairs.
• Define maturity and scalability roadmap as we transition from R&D to manufacturing.
• Drive innovative, data-driven solutions to address first-of-its-kind supply chain challenges in autonomy.
• Expand deliverables through innovative tools (e.g., AI) to improve responsiveness in tasks, forecasts, and projects.
• Drive cycle count accuracy and enforce FIFO discipline.
• Lead inventory true-up and reconciliation initiatives.
• Maintain best-in-class service levels (SLAs) across stakeholders.
• Run weekly internal team meetings, external customer updates, and metric reviews.
• Use data to surface risks, inform improvements, and drive action.
• Identify, propose, and implement process improvements to drive scalability, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Contribute Pittsburgh inventory insights to broader company CI initiatives.
• Oversee inventory functions and personnel supporting four verticals: Manufacturing, R&D, Contract Manufacturing, and Fleet/Rework/Spares.
• Ensure accurate financial accountability of inventory through cycle counts, FIFO discipline, and true-up initiatives.
• Lead weekly internal team meetings, external customer updates, and metric reviews to ensure transparency and alignment.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for Inventory Management and Material Planning, providing oversight, status, and escalation support.
• Identify and champion continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.

Benefits

• Annual bonus
• Equity compensation
• Health insurance
• 401k
• Paid time off

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Publishing Industries
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree