Supply Chain & Sourcing Manager

Whisper Aero•Nashville, TN

About The Position

Whisper Aero is seeking an experienced Supply Chain & Sourcing Manager to lead end-to-end procurement, supplier industrialization, and material planning for its electric propulsor product line. The role combines hands-on purchasing with strategic supply-chain planning and serves as the commercial and operational link between engineering and external manufacturing partners. The manager will work with Quality, Engineering, Program Management, and Finance to source flight-critical propulsion commodities, establish supplier agreements, secure material availability, and build an AS9100-compliant supply chain that can scale from product development to serial production. The position covers strategic sourcing and commercial agreements; production planning, material control, and tactical procurement; supplier quality, industrialization, and aerospace compliance; and logistics for aerospace materials. The role includes managing procurement for components such as precision-machined parts, electric motors, power electronics, batteries, aerospace hardware, structures, and wiring harnesses. U.S. Person status is required because the role involves access to export-controlled technical data governed by ITAR and EAR.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, engineering, operations management, or a related technical field.
At least 5 years of progressive professional experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management in aerospace, defense, aviation propulsion, electric-vehicle powertrains, or high-reliability electromechanical hardware.
Experience managing end-to-end sourcing for complex hardware programs through the product lifecycle, from early engineering development through tooling qualification to flight testing or serial production.
Track record negotiating commercial supplier agreements, including MSAs, tooling contracts, and LTAs.
Hands-on proficiency with ERP/MRP software such as NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365, SAP, or Oracle, and experience managing complex, multi-level BOMs.
Operational knowledge of INCOTERMS 2020, domestic freight management, and aerospace logistics execution.
Ability to balance tactical purchasing with strategic sourcing and capacity planning in an agile, fast-paced hardware development environment.
U.S. Person status (U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident) is strictly required due to access to export-controlled defense technical data governed by ITAR and EAR.

Nice To Haves

Direct sourcing experience with electric-propulsion commodities such as high-power brushless DC motors, motor inverters/controllers, precision rotating assemblies, composite structures, or high-voltage aerospace battery packs.
Working knowledge of aerospace quality management systems (AS9100D), SAE AS9102 First Article Inspection reports, and formal supplier auditing processes.
Familiarity with civil and defense aerospace certification pathways, airworthiness processes (FAA Part 23/33 or MOSAIC rules), or military-standard hardware specifications.
Professional supply-chain or operations certification, such as ASCM/APICS CPIM or CSCP, ISM CPSM, or Lean Six Sigma certification.
Prior supply-chain or procurement experience at a venture-backed aerospace startup, rapid-prototyping facility, or advanced-technology development group.

Responsibilities

Formulate and execute commodity sourcing strategies for propulsor platforms, including rotor blades, custom electric motors, power electronics, structural components, and wiring harnesses.
Lead supplier selection, issue competitive RFQs and RFPs, evaluate technical and commercial proposals, and negotiate NDAs, MSAs, SOWs, and LTAs.
Develop should-cost models for tooling, NRE charges, raw materials, and tiered piece prices to meet program cost targets.
Own Clear-to-Build tracking across prototype builds, qualification test articles, ground durability testing, and flight-demonstration engine schedules.
Execute tactical procurement, including purchase orders, supplier confirmations, expediting, receiving workflows, and invoice reconciliation with Finance.
Collaborate with Program Management on SIOP/S&OP processes to align material procurement with eQ250 build rates and customer delivery commitments.
Identify lead-time risks and execute shortage recovery plans, including qualified alternative components and expedited logistics.
Maintain ERP/MRP master data, including item masters, multi-level BOMs, standard lead times, MOQs, and safety-stock parameters.
Partner with Quality and Design Engineering on supplier readiness, DFM reviews, tooling qualification, and on-site capability audits.
Establish, evaluate, and maintain the AEPL/AVL in compliance with AS9100D quality standards.
Implement and monitor supplier performance metrics, including OTD, SNCRs, and SCAR closure rates.
Flow down quality requirements in purchasing documents, including AS9102 First Article Inspections, material test reports, heat-lot traceability, and counterfeit-parts prevention protocols.
Ensure compliance with U.S. export controls, including ITAR and EAR, in supplier technical-data exchanges, purchase orders, and engineering drawings.
Coordinate domestic and international freight for propulsion components, tooling, and test equipment, including LTL, FTL, and expedited air freight.
Manage import/export compliance, customs documentation, HTS classifications, and INCOTERMS 2020 terms.
Manage dangerous-goods transport for high-voltage aerospace batteries in accordance with UN38.3 and DOT hazardous-material shipping regulations.

Benefits

Comprehensive employee-focused benefits package with at least 90% employer-paid plans for employees and dependents.
Optional HSA/FSA accounts.
Four weeks of starting paid time off for vacation, sick, and personal days.
Federal holidays.
Competitive, value-based compensation.
Eligible employees may receive end-of-year bonuses.
Beverages and snacks available during the day.
Paid team meals based on office demands.
401(k).
Relocation assistance.
Professional development stipend.