El Segundo, CA Job Details Full-time From $170,000 a year 1 day ago Qualifications Quality control corrective actions Composite materials Capacity requirements planning (CRP) Supplier performance analysis Leading supply chain efficiency improvement projects Pricing New product introduction engineering projects Supplier corrective action implementation Startup experience Supply chain risk management Design of manufacturing processes Resource planning methods Statistical Process Control Bachelor's degree in business Materials management in logistics Corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) Inventory management software Performance management MRP Managing procurement teams Managing supply chain management teams Manufacturing facility experience Team development Hiring Collaboration with product development teams Managing supply chain operations teams Bachelor's degree in engineering Production management software Supply chain management solutions (enterprise solutions) Direct contracting Full Job Description Yes. I'd mirror that structure almost exactly and make the qualifications selective enough that your Indeed applicant pool is weighted toward hard-tech builders , not career procurement leaders from mature organizations. Head of Supply Chain -
Defense Technology Location:
El Segundo, CA Job Type:
Full-Time Work Setting:
On-Site, 5 Days per Week About the Opportunity Debelak Consulting Group has been engaged by an early-stage defense technology company in El Segundo to identify an experienced Head of Supply Chain . This is a senior leadership opportunity for a supply chain and manufacturing professional who has experience building within a hard-tech, aerospace, defense, space, robotics, or advanced manufacturing environment . The company is developing next-generation defense hardware with a focus on designing products for manufacturability, scalability, and higher-volume production . This is not a position focused on inheriting and managing an established procurement organization. The Head of Supply Chain will be responsible for helping build the supply chain function from the ground up, developing the supplier base, establishing scalable systems and processes, and working directly with engineering and manufacturing as the company moves from development into production. The ideal candidate has previously operated in a zero-to-one environment and understands what it takes to build the infrastructure required to scale a complex physical product. What You'll Be Responsible For Build and lead the company's supply chain function as the organization moves from early development into production. Develop the supplier strategy and establish a high-performing supplier base for complex manufactured hardware. Personally source, evaluate, qualify, negotiate with, and develop suppliers. Partner closely with engineering and manufacturing throughout prototype development, NPI, design iteration, and production ramp. Translate engineering BOMs and production requirements into sourcing, material, and capacity plans. Establish scalable procurement, planning, inventory, material control, and supplier management processes. Negotiate pricing, lead times, MOQs, tooling, capacity commitments, and commercial terms. Identify and mitigate long-lead, sole-source, quality, capacity, and supplier risks. Build and improve ERP/MRP infrastructure supporting purchasing, inventory, planning, and production. Establish supplier performance, quality, traceability, and continuous improvement processes. Support DFM/DFA initiatives and work with engineering to improve manufacturability, cost, lead time, and supplier capability. Remain hands-on with sourcing, purchasing, and supplier issues while building the broader supply chain organization. Recruit, develop, and lead additional supply chain professionals as the company scales. What We're Looking For The successful candidate should have significant experience building and scaling supply chain operations for complex physical hardware . This position is particularly well suited for someone who has worked within an early-stage or rapidly scaling hard-tech environment where processes, suppliers, systems, and teams still needed to be built.
Qualified candidates will typically bring:
10+ years of progressive experience across supply chain, strategic sourcing, procurement, manufacturing operations, materials, or related functions. Experience within hard-tech, aerospace, defense, space, robotics, advanced manufacturing, or another complex hardware industry . Demonstrated experience building or substantially scaling a supply chain function , rather than solely managing an established organization. Experience supporting physical hardware from prototype and NPI through repeat or scaled production . Strong supplier sourcing, qualification, negotiation, development, and performance management experience. An established supplier network relevant to complex manufactured hardware. Experience working directly with engineering and manufacturing teams. Strong understanding of ERP/MRP, production planning, forecasting, inventory management, and material requirements. Experience identifying and managing long-lead items, supplier capacity constraints, quality issues, and other supply chain risks. Ability to operate strategically while remaining highly hands-on with day-to-day sourcing and supplier challenges. Experience building teams, processes, and operating infrastructure in an environment undergoing significant growth. Candidates whose careers have primarily involved managing mature supply chain organizations within large companies should also be able to demonstrate meaningful experience building a function, launching a new operation, or scaling a hardware organization from an early stage . Preferred Experience Candidates do not need experience in every area below, but experience across several would be highly valuable: Venture-backed hard-tech or early-stage hardware companies Aerospace, defense, or space hardware Precision machining and complex mechanical components Electronics and electromechanical assemblies Composites and advanced materials Specialty metals and manufactured hardware Contract manufacturing and supplier development Prototype and low-rate production transitioning into higher-volume manufacturing Greenfield manufacturing or supply chain buildouts ERP/MRP implementation DFM/DFA and NPI AS9100 or similar quality systems ITAR/EAR-controlled environments Supplier quality, traceability, PFMEA, SPC, 8D/CAPA, or similar quality processes A bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Business, or a related discipline is preferred, although significant relevant experience building and scaling complex hardware supply chains will also be considered. Who Could Be a Strong Fit This opportunity could be particularly attractive to an experienced Head of Supply Chain, Director of Supply Chain, Director of Strategic Sourcing, Director of Operations, Global Supply Manager, Supply Chain Manager, or manufacturing leader who has already helped build and scale a hardware organization and is ready to take ownership of an entire supply chain function. Candidates coming from earlier-stage aerospace, space, defense technology, robotics, advanced manufacturing, or other venture-backed hard-tech companies may be especially well aligned. The company is looking for a builder . Someone who is comfortable starting without a large team or fully developed infrastructure, personally solving supplier and material challenges, and building the organization required to support future production scale. Why Consider This Opportunity? This is an opportunity to join a defense technology company at an early stage and have a meaningful impact on how its supply chain is built. Rather than inheriting a mature organization and established supplier structure, the Head of Supply Chain will have the opportunity to help determine which suppliers the company partners with, which systems and processes are implemented, how the organization is structured, and how the supply chain evolves as production scales . The role will work closely with company leadership, engineering, and manufacturing and will have significant ownership over one of the most important functions required to take the company's technology into scaled production. The position includes a competitive base salary and equity participation , providing the opportunity to participate directly in the company's long-term growth. Debelak Consulting Group is representing the hiring company on this search. Additional information regarding the company, technology, and opportunity will be shared with qualified candidates during the interview process.
