Manager, Materials Management (Starship)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Comprehensive medical, vision & dental

401(k) plan with company match

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Manager, Materials Management for the Starship program. You will lead day-to-day materials management across fulfillment, storage, and distribution, manage a multi-level team across five shifts, and drive continuous improvement in inventory accuracy and efficiency.

The role emphasizes strategy, cost savings, safety, AS9100 quality, mentorship, and collaboration with cross-functional partners.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree and 3+ years in material planning, purchasing, or distribution.
• Experience in material cost control and governance.
• APICS certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day materials management for Starship program.
• Lead a multi-shift team and mentor staff.
• Develop strategy, metrics, and goals for fulfillment and storage.
• Ensure safety and quality per AS9100 and customer requirements.
• Drive cost-saving opportunities and inventory accuracy.

Skills

APICS CPIM/CSCP

Cross-functional leadership

Inventory management

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Education

Advanced degree

Bachelor’s degree or higher with experience

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Visio

Project

Job description

Hawthorne, CA

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

Manager, Materials Management – (Starship)

The Materials Management organization is a crucial part of Supply Chain, managing all critical materials to build and launch rockets and spacecraft. Our goal is to become a leader in inventory performance with high accuracy and efficiency. The Manager will be responsible for managing day-to-day activities and exceeding customer expectations by leading continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Perform administrative duties, including but not limited to reviewing timecard compliance, scheduling, periodic reviews, supply ordering, one-on-one mentoring and training of direct reports.
• Support and maintain operational targets and objectives for fulfillment, distribution, and storage centers.
• Strategy – Understand the processes, procedures, and needs of the business to develop strategy, business metrics, and goals to guide the organization in the direction needed.
• Leadership – Manage a multi-level deep organization, consisting of both hourly and salary individuals across 5 different shift patterns that support operations spanning nearly 24 hours per day and 7 days per week; assess employee performance, provide positive/constructive feedback, facilitate conflict resolution, and address repeat issues with corrective actions, performance improvement plans, or through disciplinary means.
• Role Model – Lead by setting an example, taking feedback from all levels of the organization, and motivating your organization to achieve the highest level of results.
• Safety – Monitor and improve operations, ensuring a safe work environment – with the goal of zero OSHA recordables annually.
• Quality – Ensure business practices not only guarantee the storing of product in a quality manner, but also meet those needs outlined in AS9100 and customer flow-down requirements.
• Inventory Management – Manage the incoming receipt, acceptance, storage, and issuance of a wide variety of parts and hardware into inventory locations around campus.
• Customer Service – Manage operations that provide industry leading levels of customer service in all operations: recognizing the needs of the business and adapting to support our mission.
• Cost – Lead cost saving opportunities, identifying internal/external cost reductions and optimization opportunities.
• Inventory Accuracy – Maintain process control and routine counting required to meet both our internal and external audit requirements.
• Process Improvement – Drive the projects and changes needed to ensure the distribution center can maintain rates year-over-year.
• Shelf Life - Monitor shelf-life storage and maintain proper rotation of stock, FIFO.
• Environmental Controls – Ensure the appropriate environmental controls are in place, depending on the material requirements of the items being stored in the distribution center.
• Storage – Manage and control the storage of non-SpaceX part numbers that need to be maintained for the business; this is a mixture of both internal and external storage.
• Mentorship – Actively monitor and grow the workforce, ensuring team members are challenged and performing at the expected standards; work to develop ways and methods to motivate team members to go above and beyond the status quo.
• Adaptability – As SpaceX continues to innovate and pave the way for future development, this manager needs to be able to adapt his/her business to the ever-changing needs of the organization.

Basic Qualifications

• Advanced degree and 3+ years of experience working in one or more of the following: or bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience working in one or more of the following: or 9+ years of experience working in one or more of the following:
• Material or production planning
• Purchasing
• Distribution
• Operations or supply chain management
• Material cost control

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Organized and self-driven, capable of working independently with little direction.
• APICS certification – CPIM or CSCP desired.
• Excellent communication and team-building skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced /cross-functional environment while maintaining on-time project completion, deal with a wide variety of challenges, and work with a diverse array of contacts.
• Capable of adapting to abrupt changes in strategy.
• Experience within an aerospace, aviation, or automotive manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience with capital planning and management.
• Demonstrate innovative and futuristic thinking to drive continuous improvement.
• Computer Skills - Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, and Project.

Additional Requirements

• Lifting up to 50 lbs, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position
• Must be able to work all shifts, extended hours and/or weekends as needed
• Ability to provide 24x7 on-call support in emergency situations.
• This position is based in Hawthorne, CA and requires being onsite - remote work not considered
• Position may require domestic travel up to 20% as needed

Compensation and Benefits

Pay Range: Manager: $125,000 - $175,000

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].