Head Of Supply Chain

Pyka; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance / Dental / Vision

401(k)

Paid holidays & generous PTO

Disability insurance

Free catered lunch & snacks

Pre-tax commuter benefits

Equity

Job summary

Pyka is seeking a seasoned Head of Supply Chain to lead our global supply chain operations as we scale production of autonomous electric aircraft. You will own end-to-end procurement, inventory, international logistics, and vendor relationships, shaping the team, processes, and systems for efficient and cost-effective operations.

You will work cross-functionally to negotiate terms, implement ERP enhancements in Odoo, and drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred.
• 7+ years in fast-paced manufacturing with supply chain or production focus.
• Proven procurement strategy and cost-saving track record.
• Experience working with suppliers in China and Mexico on similar products.
• Strong leadership and team development abilities.
• Deep knowledge of supply chain, QA, risk management, and ERP.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of supply chain professionals; hire top talent for expansion.
• Source and maintain relationships with key suppliers; negotiate contracts and long-term agreements.
• Contribute to Pyka’s cost-down strategy including vendor selection and tax optimization.
• Oversee international logistics to/from the US facility; optimize for speed, reliability, and cost.
• Develop and implement supply chain strategies aligned with business goals for scale.
• Improve ERP-related supply chain modules and processes (Odoo).
• Collaborate with engineering, finance, and program management to balance tradeoffs.
• Define and track KPIs to monitor supply chain health and drive improvements.
• Identify and implement process improvements to reduce costs and boost efficiency.
• Monitor data, generate management reports, and communicate insights.

Skills

Leadership

Supply chain

ERP systems

International logistics

Procurement

Negotiation

Cost optimization

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Odoo ERP

Job description

About Pyka

Pyka’s goal is to provide society with a new form of safe, clean, and cost-effective transportation enabled by autonomous electric aviation.

To get there, we’re taking a different approach than most. We're applying our technologies to every industry where autonomous electric aircraft can be useful, starting with the highest value and most dangerous jobs. In doing so, we're building game-changing products manufactured at scale, while perfecting the safety, reliability, and capabilities of our autonomy engine and electric propulsion systems.

We design, develop and manufacture an ecosystem of technologies including proprietary flight control software, avionics, high power density motors, motor controllers, batteries, and custom carbon-fiber composite airframes.

Today, we supply autonomous electric aircraft for cargo transport and crop protection to real-world customers across four separate continents and have secured industry-first regulatory approvals from the FAA. Our cargo aircraft enables remote connectivity, enhances express delivery networks, and ensures fast and reliable shipping of critical supplies to areas in need. Our crop protection aircraft offers agricultural services providers and farmers an autonomous tool to make aerial application safer, more precise, and less harmful to surrounding environments. Both vehicles are highly economical to operate, easy to deploy, and significantly reduce CO2 emissions in their respective industries.

What you work on at Pyka makes people’s lives better now and brings the future of electric aviation one step closer each day.

Role Overview

Pyka is looking for a seasoned and strategic Head of Supply Chain to lead the development and execution of our global supply chain operations as we scale production of our autonomous electric aircraft. This role oversees end-to-end supply chain execution, ensuring operational excellence across procurement, inventory management, international logistics, and vendor relationships.

In this role, you will play a critical role in shaping the team, relationships, strategies, and systems that enable Pyka to meet demand efficiently, reliably, and cost effectively. This is a high-impact, hands-on leadership role that requires deep expertise in international supply chains, ERP systems, and fast-paced, complex manufacturing environments. If you're excited by the idea of building and leading a supply chain that supports the future of sustainable aviation, we want to hear from you.

A typical day on this role will include: negotiating terms with key suppliers, reaching out to new suppliers for a new component destined for production, helping your reports with tricky problems, working cross functionally on new tools within Odoo to boost your team’s productivity, and planning out a schedule with an engineering team member that’s working to introduce a new revision of hardware while deprecating an old revision that’s on order. We’re looking for someone who loves system building and managing as much as they love rolling up their sleeves and contributing as an IC while the team is still small.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of supply chain professionals, providing guidance, training, and support. Hire world class talent to continue the expansion of the existing team.
• Source, build, and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, managing negotiations, contracts, and long-term agreements to secure favorable terms and ensure a reliable supply of materials.
• Play an integral role in Pyka’s cost down strategy -- including vendor selection, negotiation, insource/outsource decisions, tax optimization, etc.
• Manage complex international logistics, both to and from Pyka’s facility in the US optimizing for speed, reliability, and cost.
• Own, develop, and implement supply chain strategies that align with overall business goals, aiming for supply continuity, quality, efficiency and cost optimization while enabling the business to scale significantly.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of supply chain aspects of our ERP (Odoo)
• Collaborate internally with key cross functional leadership teams (ex., engineering, program management, finance, business line...etc.) to negotiate the right tradeoffs, solicit cooperation and resolve problems proactively
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve overall supply chain performance. Define key performance indicators (KPIs) to track supply chain health and drive improvements.
• Monitor KPIs, analyze data, and provide regular reports to management on supply chain performance.
• Problem solve and remove obstacles for your team and internal and external partners. Know how to think critically and engage the right teams to help.
• Be a team player where no task is too small. Be willing to roll up your sleeves and get the job done. Embrace the startup life.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business administration, engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years past experience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment in either a supply chain or production-related role where complex mechanical and/or electrical assemblies were built. At least 3+ years in a leadership position focused on supply chain.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful procurement strategies and delivering cost savings.
• Proven track record working with CM’s in China and Mexico on similar products.
• Excellent leadership and team management abilities, with a commitment to developing team members.
• Deep understanding of supply chain dynamics, including supplier evaluation, quality assurance, and risk management.
• Deep understanding of ERP systems.
• We understand that candidates bring different strengths and experiences, and you don’t need to meet every qualification to be considered. If this role excites you, we’d love to learn more about you. You may be a great fit even if your background doesn’t align perfectly with the list.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in aerospace, automotive, high tech, or another related industry.
• Previous experience in implementing ERP systems as they relate to supply chain (ex., MRP systems, warehouse management system...etc.).
• Strong team player who can wear different hats to help your team move forward. Willing to tackle individual contributor tasks while managing a small team.
• Experience in a "Big" company environment as well as a startup.
• We understand that candidates bring different strengths and experiences, and you don’t need to meet every qualification to be considered. If this role excites you, we’d love to learn more about you. You may be a great fit even if your background doesn’t align perfectly with the list.

Compensation & Benefits

• $165,000-$240,000 per year base salary + equity. Compensation will vary depending on location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Salary ranges are subject to change.
• Employer-sponsored health, dental and vision insurance
• FSA with employer matching
• 401(k)
• Paid holidays, generous PTO, and additional unpaid time off
• Voluntary short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Free catered lunch and plenty of snacks

Export Control Requirements

This position requires access to technology, software and other information that is subject to governmental access control restrictions, due to export controls. Employment in this position is conditioned on the continued availability of government authorization to authorize release of such items, to the extent required, including without limitation an export license, or other documentation required to establish authorization to receive access to such items.

Company may delay commencement of employment, rescind an offer of employment, terminate employment, and/or may modify job responsibilities, compensation, benefits, and/or access to Company facilities and information systems, as Company deems appropriate, in order to ensure compliance with applicable government access control restrictions.

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