Supply Chain Manager

About the Role 

Chariot Defense isseeking an experiencedSupply Chain Manager to join our operationsteam, reporting to the Head of Operations. In this role, you will source, buy, and oversee the procurement and logistics of the components comprising Chariot Defense's family of advanced power products. As we scale across multiple product lines, we are seeking a high-throughput operator to be the first member of our supply chain team and help establish end-to-end supply chain operations. This person will be responsible for building and optimizing a global, compliant, and scalable supply chain function—encompassing prototype component sourcing, demand planning, procurement, logistics, and distribution. The role requires pace, accuracy, responsive communications, and the ability to thrive in a rapidlychanging environment.   

Key Responsibilities 

• Sourcing & Procurement: Use engineering guidance and requirements to find suitable commodities and vendors. Lead commercial negotiations and finalize vendor contracts. Place purchase orders for commodities and raw materials, including a broad range of energy storage and power electronic components via direct and online channels. 

• Vendor Relationships: Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors through in-person meetings, video calls, and written communications to secure high-quality service, competitive pricing, and favorable terms. 

• Customs & Logistics: Manage import/export requirements to ensure timely delivery of components. Assist in the scheduling of logistics to support operations and customer order fulfillment of finished goods. Secure necessary government permits and ensure regulatory compliance for international shipments. 

• Documentation & Inventory: Maintain 100% inventory and financial traceability within our ERP. Escalate any concerns with gaps in documentation or inventory concerns as they become apparent. 

• Collaboration & Improvement: Work with manufacturing and engineering team members to improve process efficiency and propose alternative components to increase supply chain resilience and compliance.   

What We're Looking For 

• Extraordinary conscientiousness. You commit to what you're going to do and follow through without fail. 

• Resilient and unwavering in a demanding, fast-paced work setting. Steady and sound decision-making when presented with imperfect/incomplete information or asked to shift priorities. 

• Able to independently assess engineering and manufacturing information as well as sourcing requirements. Act with initiative to meet those requirements. Be solutions-oriented in presenting options when requirements can't be completely met. 

• Transparent, diligent, and highly responsive in your communication, both internally with colleagues and externally with vendors. 

• Gratified by helping your peers succeed; seeks to break down information silos by collaborating with others to solve problems, share knowledge, and provide input. 

Qualifications 

Required: 

• At least 3 years of professional work experience in supply chain management, sourcing commodities and raw materials for complex electro-mechanical hardware products. 

• Expert-level understanding of procurement, vendor management, and global logistics. Proven ability to manage import/export regulations and shipping documentation. 

• Experience establishing complex supply bases from scratch and supporting engineering teams in sourcing commodities for complex prototypes. 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills and comfortable maintaining appropriate records in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and other inventory management systems. 

• Ability to work with exceptionally high throughput and accuracy across all facets of the role's responsibilities. 

• Willingness to work onsite in our San Bruno, CA, shop 5-days per week as well as work extended and weekend hours, when necessary.

Preferred: 

• Experience building and executing supply chain processes in Netsuite. 

• Possess an established network in the supply base for EV, eVTOL, energy storage, and/or power distribution industries. 

• Deep understanding of industry and government standards for quality and compliance, particularly AS9100 and maintaining/validating NDAA-compliant (National Defense Authorization Act) supply chains. 

• Experience executing complex logistics, especially shipments containing Class 9 HAZMAT. 

• Mechanical/Electrical engineering background, either academic or professional experience.  

Role Requirements

• This position is an onsite role based in Chariot Defense's San Bruno, CA, office. 

• Willingness to support up to 20% travel, domestically and internationally, when necessary, to support supplier validation and relationship-building. 

• Able to work on your feet for extended periods in a warehouse setting. 

• Able to lift and carry 50lbs. 

A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $90,000 - $130,000 annually. Compensation packages also include early-stage equity and access to company-sponsored benefit plans.