Supply Chain Manager

Critical Energy; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Platinum HD/HSA medical

Dental and vision

FSA

401k

Catered lunch

EV charging

Team outings

Job summary

Critical Energy in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Senior Supply Chain Manager to own vendor relationships and manage inventory and receiving for our manufacturing operation. You will source and negotiate short- and long-term supplier agreements to keep up with rapid ramp.

You’ll work hands-on with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Operations to translate build schedules into supply plans, enforce lead times, and build a US-based supplier base suited for aerospace-like hardware manufacturing at pace.

Qualifications

• Proven ownership of vendor management in hardware, aerospace, or complex manufacturing supply chain.
• Hands-on experience managing inventory and receiving in a production environment.
• Track record negotiating both short-term POs and long-term supplier contracts.
• Experience holding vendors to lead-time commitments and recovering when they slip.
• Experience building or running a primarily US-based vendor base. Comfortable as a senior individual contributor in a fast-paced startup with ambiguity.
• A bias toward action, clear communication, and a steady hand keeping the floor supplied.
• Supply chain experience in aerospace, energy, or high-velocity hardware manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Own vendor relationships across our manufacturing supply base, and expand and qualify US-based suppliers as production scales
• Hold vendors to committed lead times, and escalate…
• Negotiate short-term agreements and POs that secure capacity, pricing, and delivery for near-term builds
• Structure long-term supplier agreements that lock in reliability and supply continuity as volume grows, and keep improving terms without giving up quality, lead time, or flexibility
• Own inventory end to end, including planning, receiving, accuracy, and flow into production
• Set up and run receiving processes that move material cleanly from dock to line
• Translate production needs into supply plans with the Head of Manufacturing, matching material availability to build schedules and ramp goals
• Work with Engineering and Operations on make/buy decisions, alternate sources, and risk mitigation for critical parts
• Build simple, durable processes that scale with the company

Skills

Vendor management

Inventory management

Negotiation

US vendor base

Communication

Make-or-buy decisions

Ambiguity tolerance

Supply chain

Job description

About Critical Energy

Critical Energy is an innovative, early-stage, venture-backed cleantech company on a mission to accelerate the global energy transition through abundant, low-cost clean energy. Founded by an ex-SpaceX engineer, Critical Energy designs and manufactures factory-built, modular power plants. These rapidly deployable systems convert heat into electricity using a closed-loop thermodynamic cycle and can be installed in just weeks.

Critical Energy’s technology delivers high-efficiency, 24/7 power for geothermal applications and waste heat recovery (including from data center gas turbines), making clean energy practical and cost-effective for demanding sectors like AI hyperscalers and data centers. Backed by top climate and technology investors, Critical Energy is scaling rapidly.

Our Mission

To build an abundant, low-cost, 100% clean energy future through groundbreaking geothermal innovation.

We are a team of passionate engineers, designers, and visionaries building cutting-edge solutions to meet the world’s energy needs with 100% clean energy. We are in the initial stages of development and building our team. This is your chance to join on the ground floor of something big! If you are ready to work at a fun, fast‑paced, groundbreaking organization that is positioned to revolutionize geothermal energy.

About the Role

Critical Energy is hiring a Senior Supply Chain Manager to own our vendor relationships and run inventory and receiving for our manufacturing operation. You’ll source and negotiate short- and long-term vendor agreements, hold suppliers to their lead times, and build a reliable US-based supply base that keeps up with our production ramp.

This is a hands‑on, senior individual contributor role reporting to the Head of Manufacturing. You’ll work closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Operations to turn build schedules into supply plans. Supply chain experience in aerospace, energy, or fast-moving hardware manufacturing is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Own vendor relationships across our manufacturing supply base, and expand and qualify US-based suppliers as production scales
• Hold vendors to committed lead times, and escal…
• Negotiate short-term agreements and POs that secure capacity, pricing, and delivery for near‑term builds
• Structure long‑term supplier agreements that lock in reliability and supply continuity as volume grows, and keep improving terms without giving up quality, lead time, or flexibility
• Own inventory end to end, including planning, receiving, accuracy, and flow into production
• Set up and run receiving processes that move material cleanly from dock to line
• Translate production needs into supply plans with the Head of Manufacturing, matching material availability to build schedules and ramp goals
• Work with Engineering and Operations on make/buy decisions, alternate sources, and risk mitigation for critical parts
• Build simple, durable processes that scale with the company

Qualifications

• Proven ownership of vendor management in a hardware, aerospace, or complex manufacturing supply chain
• Hands‑on experience managing inventory and receiving in a production environment
• Track record negotiating both short-term POs and long-term supplier contracts
• Experience holding vendors to lead‑time commitments and recovering when they slip
• Experience building or running a primarily US‑based vendor baseComfortable as a senior individual contributor in a fast‑paced startup with real ambiguity
• A bias toward action, clear communication, and a steady hand keeping the floor supplied
• Supply chain experience in aerospace, energy, or high‑velocity hardware manufacturing

Compensation

Base salary ranges from $150,000 - 230,000

• Equity options
• 100% company‑covered Platinum or HD/HSA (with company contribution) medical
• 100% company‑covered dental and vision
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 401k retirement options
• Daily catered lunch
• Free EV charging
• Several annual social and team building outings

Actual base salary offered will be determined by: experience, skills, and work location. This range is for base salary, our total compensation includes equity and benefits. We welcome you to apply even if your expectations are outside our listed range.

Equal Opportunity

Critical Energy is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Critical Energy is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures and throughout employment. If you need assistance or any accommodation, please let us know.

Recruiting Agenices

Critical Energy does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies without a fully executed recruitment agreement in place. In the absence of such agreement, Critical Energy reserves the right to pursue and hire any candidates without an obligation to pay fees. Agencies are requested not to contact Critical Energy hiring managers or employees regarding recruiting services.