Supply Chain Manager

wardstone.space•El Segundo, CA

About The Position

Build Wardstone’s supply chain, from sourcing prototype parts to supporting production of Hailstorm, its first interceptor. The role involves finding and qualifying suppliers, securing long-lead and hard-to-source components, negotiating terms, and ensuring the supply chain meets defense requirements. Specialized components include energetic materials, high-performance alloys and composites, precision electronics, and sensors, often with long lead times and few suppliers. The work will affect how quickly the company can build and how many units it can produce. The Supply Chain Manager reports to the Head of Business Operations and works closely with engineering leads and the Technical Program Manager.

Requirements

B.S. in supply chain management, engineering, business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
At least 5 years of supply chain, procurement, or sourcing experience in aerospace, defense, or complex hardware.
Experience sourcing custom and technical parts, such as machined parts, electronics, or composites.
Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS requirements and ITAR.
Strong negotiation skills and experience managing supplier relationships.
Comfort working closely with engineers and understanding technical requirements.
Must be a U.S. person as defined by ITAR (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual).
Must be eligible to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience with missile, rocket, or munitions supply chains, including energetic materials.
Experience scaling hardware from prototype to production.
Experience with supplier quality systems, such as AS9100.
Experience setting up ERP or purchasing systems.
Experience managing a small team.
Prior early-stage startup experience.

Responsibilities

Find, evaluate, and qualify suppliers for machined parts, composites, electronics, sensors, energetic materials, and motor components.
Build relationships with key suppliers and negotiate pricing, lead times, and terms.
Set up backup suppliers for critical and single-source parts.
Work with engineering leads to identify long-lead and hard-to-source parts early and secure them ahead of need.
Track supply risks, including shortages, single sources, and supplier problems, and maintain plans to address them.
Support make-versus-buy decisions with cost, lead-time, and supplier data.
Build sourcing plans and cost models for scaling from prototypes to low-rate production.
Work with engineering on design choices that lower cost and improve supply availability.
Ensure purchasing meets government contract requirements, including FAR/DFARS flowdowns, specialty metals, counterfeit-parts prevention, and ITAR.
Work with engineering to set supplier quality requirements, inspection, and documentation.
Set up purchasing, inventory, and supplier management processes and tools that can scale with the company.