Senior Supply Chain Manager
Roboticsconnected
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Job summary
Firestorm in San Diego, CA is seeking a Senior Supply Chain Manager to build and lead end-to-end supply chain operations. You will define the roadmap across commodities, establish scalable processes, and develop a capable supplier base to support production at our San Diego facility.
You will drive strategy and execute near-term deliverables in a fast-moving environment, lead cross-functional teams, and ensure compliance with ITAR and FAR/DFARS requirements.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, engineering or a related field.
- U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.
- Minimum 10 years of supply chain or sourcing management experience in a manufacturing or tech environment.
- Experience managing teams across multiple supply chain verticals.
- Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI) and Product Lifecycle Change Management (PLCM).
- Hands-on experience sourcing and procuring across all commodities.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes.
- Experience with supplier negotiations, cost reduction, and supplier performance management.
- Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, ITAR, and U.S. Government acquisition regulations.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
Responsibilities
- Define and execute comprehensive supply chain strategies across all commodities to support product portfolio from prototyping through full-rate production.
- Identify, qualify, and onboard suppliers to build a mature, resilient supply base.
- Scale the full procurement lifecycle to support US operations.
- Analyze supplier data and market trends to expand the Approved Supplier List.
- Establish supplier performance metrics across quality, cost, and delivery; mitigate risks.
- Leverage market research and benchmarks to maintain a best-in-class supply base.
- Oversee inventory planning, demand forecasting, and materials management for on-time delivery.
- Develop logistics strategy for domestic carriers and freight forwarders.
- Create foundational processes across supply chain planning, procurement, onboarding, accounts payable, and shipping/receiving.
- Develop reporting to identify critical path items and drive improvements.
- Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing to align supply chain with roadmaps and NPI processes.
- Lead supplier negotiations and coordinate with legal/finance on terms.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Here at Firestorm we are looking for a driven and proactive Senior Supply Chain Manager to build and lead end-to-end supply chain operations across our product lines. This is a foundational role that will define the supply chain roadmap for key commodities, establish the processes and systems needed to scale from prototyping to full-rate production, and develop a mature supplier base capable of supporting production operations for our San Diego production facility. You will thrive in a fast-moving environment and feel equally comfortable setting strategy and executing on near-term deliverables.
- Define and execute comprehensive supply chain strategies across all commodities to support Firestorm's product portfolio from prototyping through full-rate production
- Manage the process of identifying, qualifying, and onboarding suppliers across a broad range of commodities to build a mature, resilient supply base
- Manage and scale the full procurement lifecycle - identify opportunities to implement solutions for a compliant, scalable system that support US operations
- Analyze supplier data and market trends to continuously expand and optimize the Approved Supplier List
- Establish supplier performance metrics across quality, cost, and delivery; proactively mitigate supply chain risks and expand supply chain capabilities
- Leverage market research, trends, emerging technologies, and benchmarks to maintain a best-in-class supply base
- Oversee inventory planning, demand forecasting, and materials management to ensure on-time delivery and production continuity
- Ensure near-term procurement and logistics actions to guarantee schedules for engineering and testing milestones
- Develop a logistics strategy to support a robust logistics supply base including domestic carriers, freight forwarders, and solutions for specialty materials
- Create foundational processes and supporting systems across supply chain planning, procurement, supplier onboarding, accounts payable, materials management, and shipping and receiving
- Develop performance metrics and reporting to identify, communicate, and manage critical path items
- Drive efficiency, cost optimization, and quality improvements across all supply chain functions
- Ensure all procurement and supply chain activities comply with FAR, DFARS, ITAR, and internal policies
- Coordinate closely with quality teams to ensure compliance with the Firestorm's quality program regarding supplier onboarding, documentation requirements, nonconformance resolution, and supply chain procedures
- Lead and manage internal and external audits, including DCAA/DCMA reviews and supplier quality audits
- Develop systems to identify and mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities, including single-source dependencies and geopolitical risks
- Engage with responsible engineering and manufacturing teams to ensure supplier feedback on design for manufacturing (DFM) considerations
- Partner with engineering, operations, and product teams to align supply chain strategy with product roadmaps and New Product Introduction (NPI) processes
- Collaborate with business development and strategy teams to anticipate demand signals and plan for future revenue growth
- Initiate and negotiate supplier agreements and commercial terms in coordination with legal and finance
- Drive continuous improvement in supply chain processes and implement procedural enhancements
- Serve as the primary point of contact for supply chain communications across internal strategic stakeholders and external supply chain partners
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, engineering or a related field
- U.S. Citizenship required due to ITAR regulations & the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance
- Minimum 10 years of supply chain or sourcing management experience, in a manufacturing or technological environment
- Experience managing teams across multiple supply chain verticals
- Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI) and Product Lifecycle Change Management (PLCM) processes
- Hands-on experience sourcing and procuring across all commodities
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes
- Experience with supplier negotiations, cost reduction, and supplier performance management
- Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, ITAR, and U.S. Government acquisition regulations
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills
- Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly, apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment, and organize work assignments to meet established timetables
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- 10+ years of sourcing or supply chain management experience in an aerospace or defense industries
- Experience in startups or fast-growing environments
- Demonstrated experience interfacing with DCAA, DCMA, or other U.S. Government oversight agencies
- Manufacturing or quality management experience is desirable
- Exposure to additive manufacturing, automation, or advanced hardware environments
- Understanding of supply chain risk management and supplier contingency planning
- Knowledge of forecasting tools, procurement analytics, and market benchmarking
- Experience leading efforts in R&D procurement and prototype builds
The position is working onsite at our San Diego, CA. Headquarters
We welcome candidates who are local or open to relocating; relocation assistance is available and may be included in the offer package where appropriate.
Travel up to 40% if needed
At Firestorm, we’re on a mission to revolutionize how defense solutions are designed and delivered. Our goal is to empower U.S. ally nations to effectively deter aggressors-regardless of their defense budget—through innovative, cost-efficient technologies. We call this vision "democratized deterrence." As a VC-backed company at the intersection of defense and Silicon Valley, we’re pioneering the development of mission-adaptable aerial vehicles that put power back into the hands of operators. By prioritizing operator effectiveness, we’re pioneering a new era of aerial vehicle design. We aim to upend the traditional defense procurement model by delivering world-class capabilities at a fraction of the usual cost. Join us at Firestorm as we redefine defense procurement, making cutting-edge technology accessible to all at a fraction of the cost.
Base salary: $160,000 - $180,000 base, commensurate with experience
Equity: Meaningful equity grant in a growth-stage defense technology company
The posted salary range reflects an estimate based on a variety of compensation factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, education, certifications, specialized skills, geographic location, and business needs. Actual compensation may vary, and this range is subject to change as our compensation structure or market conditions evolve.
Our culture fosters collaboration, respect, and trust, empowering passionate people to do their best work. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth. In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:
- We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and visions plans
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
- Unlimited PTO
- Extremely generous company holiday calendar, including a holiday hiatus in November & December.
- Generous Parental Leave
- FSA
- DCFSA
- HSA
- Hospital Indemnity insurance
- Critical Illness insurance
- Accident insurance
- Basic Life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, 100% covered by Firestorm. Plus, the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your family.
- Mental Health Resources: We provide free mental health resources 24/7 including therapy and more. Additional work-life services, such as free legal and financial support, are available to you as well.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Firestorm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process.
Firestorm is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require accommodations or assistance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at
careers@launchfirestorm.com
so we can provide the support you need.
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