Strategic Supply Chain Director

Merlin Labs•Boston, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Merlin is a venture backed aerospace startup building a non-human pilot to enable both reduced crew and uncrewed flight. Backed by some of the worldâs leading investors, Merlin is scaling alongside our customers to begin leveraging autonomy today to solve some of aviationâs biggest challenges. We are seeking a highly strategic and execution-oriented Supply Chain Leader to design, scale, and actively manage a resilient, high-performing supply chain. This role is responsible for supplier strategy, market intelligence, risk mitigation, supplier quality, and purchase order execution across critical programs. The ideal candidate can translate complex engineering and technical requirements into actionable supplier strategies and data-driven decisions, while maintaining strong supplier partnerships and accountability.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive experience in supply chain, sourcing, or supplier management roles
Proven experience leading supplier strategy, market surveys, and supplier performance management
Strong ability to interpret and translate engineering requirements into supplier-ready documentation and evaluation criteria
Demonstrated success reducing supply chain risk in complex or regulated environments
Experience managing supplier quality and continuous improvement initiatives
Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills
Background in aerospace, manufacturing, hardware, or other technically complex industries

Nice To Haves

Background in aerospace, manufacturing, hardware, or other technically complex industries
Experience scaling supply chains in high-growth or pre-IPO environments
Familiarity with supplier audits, qualification processes, and quality management systems

Responsibilities

Lead market surveys and supplier landscape assessments for key commodities and critical components
Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers to support cost, capacity, technology, and risk objectives
Maintain deep understanding of supplier markets, including pricing drivers, lead times, geopolitical risks, and capacity constraints
Proactively identify supply chain risks across quality, delivery, cost, single-source exposure, and geopolitical factors
Develop and implement mitigation strategies, including dual sourcing, inventory strategies, and contractual protections
Partner cross-functionally to ensure continuity of supply for critical programs and timelines
Establish and maintain supplier quality standards, metrics, and review cadences
Monitor supplier quality performance including schedule and cost, including corrective action management and continuous improvement initiatives
Actively manage supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, and responsiveness, holding suppliers accountable to commitments
Translate engineering requirements, specifications, and technical needs into clear supplier surveys, RFQs, and sourcing criteria
Partner closely with Engineering, Quality, and Manufacturing to ensure suppliers can meet technical, regulatory, and production requirements
Support make-buy decisions and supplier selection through technical and commercial evaluation
Own purchase order strategy, including lot sizing, lead-time management, and alignment to production schedules
Ensure accurate, timely execution of purchase orders and supplier commitments
Drive improvements in planning accuracy, on-time delivery, and inventory health
Serve as a key partner to Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and Program Management
Provide clear communication and visibility into supplier status, risks, and mitigation plans
Build scalable supply chain processes and tools to support company growth

Benefits

catered lunches featuring a rotating menu of delicious options
an assortment of snacks
a selection of beverages, including coffee, tea, and other drinks
top-notch benefits package (health, dental, life, unlimited vacation, and 401k with match)
work/life integration

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