Sr Supply Chain Manager

Due to the nature of our work in defense, Darkhive does not provide visa sponsorship for this role. Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which usually requires US citizenship.


About Darkhive:

Established in 2021, Darkhive is redefining the future of autonomous systems. We design and build next-generation hardware and software solutions that seamlessly integrate into critical public safety and defense networks. Our core focus centers on developing tactical, human-machine interfaces and scaling the mass production of affordable, attritable uncrewed systems alongside our government partners.

At Darkhive, we are a high-growth team of U.S. Special Operations veterans, aerospace engineers, robotics perception experts, and DevSecOps professionals. Above all, we are a mission-first culture. We believe that global teams operating on the front lines deserve high-quality, intelligent tools that ensure safety when each second counts.

If you are a free-thinking problem solver looking to build cutting-edge robotics in a fast-paced, highly collaborative startup environment, apply with Darkhive today!

The Senior Supply Chain Manager Role:

We are seeking a detailed-oriented, proactive, and self-driven Senior Supply Chain Manager to join our growing team and company. The Senior Supply Chain Manager is responsible for partnering across engineering, quality and program teams to develop and manage a supply chain in support of new product development and program implementation efforts. This role requires a robust understanding of all supply chain functions including but not limited to advanced sourcing, procurement, vendor management, manufacturing, inventory management, supply/demand planning, and logistics. The supply chain manager will partner with internal business parters on cross functional teams to enable a global supply chain from concept to customer, and will ensure that supply chain resiliency is addressed from the onset of all product development and customer program efforts. A successful individual in this role will leverage the expertise and capabilities of the supply base to deliver against product and program requirements, address risks at the onset of projects, and develop strategies to ensure on-time delivery at cost and quality expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Sourcing & Engineering Partnership

• Partner with Engineering and program teams to strategically source key parts, components, and materials, ensuring sourcing decisions align with quality and technical requirements, cost targets, and time to market deadlines
• Influence design decisions through early supplier engagement, design-for-supply-chain (DfSC) principles, and total-cost-of-ownership analysis to optimize manufacturability, cost, lead time, and supply risk
• Develop and execute commodity and category strategies across assigned spend, including make/buy analysis, supplier rationalization, dual-sourcing, and regional diversification. Drive make/buy recommendations as needed
• Lead supplier selection, RFx events, negotiations, and contracting

Liaison Between Engineering and Supply Chain / Sourcing

• Serve as the primary interface between the Engineering team and the Supply Chain / Sourcing organization throughout the product development process
• Translate engineering requirements into actionable sourcing plans, supplier requirements, and procurement deliverables tied to program milestones
• Represent supply chain in design reviews, gate reviews, and program meetings, providing input on supplier capability, lead time, cost, risk, and readiness
• Drive cross-functional alignment across Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Program Management, Finance, and external supplier partners

End-to-End Supply Chain Execution

• Drive the supply chain from the supply base into internal and external points of manufacture, ensuring material flow, on-time delivery, and seamless handoffs between suppliers and production sites
• Coordinate with contract manufacturers (CMs), tier-1 and tier-2 suppliers to align capacity, build plans, inventory positioning, and material readiness with program demand
• Develop and drive strategies to manage the inbound flow of raw materials and finished goods as well as inventory levels.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators
• Communicate supply forecasts to key, strategic suppliers and build supportability plans
• Lead supply chain risk management including identification of single-source risk, long-lead items, geopolitical exposure, and capacity constraints - and develop mitigation plans including alternate sourcing, risk buys, and strategic buffers
• Maintain end-to-end visibility into supply, demand, and inventory positions; deliver clear, data-driven status and risk reporting to program teams and senior leadership

New Product Introduction (NPI) & Industrialization

• Drive NPI and industrialization from product development through transition to volume manufacturing, ensuring supply chain readiness at each phase gate (prototype, EVT, DVT, PVT, MP)
• Lead material readiness strategy and execution across all NPI phases, including detailed material plans aligned with program schedules and build requirements
• Onboard new suppliers to support emerging technologies and new product introductions; qualify suppliers in partnership with Engineering and Quality
• Coordinate the transfer of production from development sites and prototype suppliers to volume manufacturing partners, ensuring scalability, cost targets, and quality standards are met

Advanced Sourcing & Strategic Supplier Relationships

• Drive advanced sourcing initiatives in key categories to identify and qualify emerging suppliers, materials, and technologies that support future product development and production needs
• Build and own strategic supplier relationships that go beyond transactional procurement
• Where needed, negotiate and steward long-term agreements (MSAs, supply agreements, pricing agreements, NDAs) that protect company interests and enable scalable growth

This is a full time, exempt role reporting to the Vice President of Supply Chain. This role is based in San Antonio, Texas with travel as needed up to 10-20 of time.

Qualifications You Bring:

• Masters's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, Operations, or related field
• 7+ years of progressive experience in supply chain, strategic sourcing, procurement, or commodity management, including direct experience supporting new product and program development
• Experience with electrical, mechanical and electro-mechanical commodities spanning PCBAs, electrical components, plastics, metals, interconnect, wireless/communication, and power categories
• Demonstrated experience partnering with Engineering and Product Development teams in a hardware, manufacturing, or technology environment
• Proven track record leading NPI / industrialization activities from prototype through volume production
• Hands-on experience managing external manufacturing partners
• Strong negotiation, contracting, and supplier relationship management skills
• Solid understanding of supply chain risk management, including single-source mitigation, dual-sourcing strategies, and geopolitical risk

Bonus Qualifications:

• Prior experience in a fast-paced startup environment, specifically building hardware devices from the ground up
• Experience in GovCon
• Direct experience in the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) or robotics industry
• An active security clearance (this is not required)
• Familiarity with quality systems and regulatory frameworks relevant to the industry (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100, ISO 13485, IATF 16949, ITAR/EAR)

Physical and/or Mental Requirements:

• Ability to sit and/or stand for periods of time
• Ability to use a keyboard, mouse, and other equipment with or without accommodations
• Ability to maintain awareness during business hours
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds
• Excellent written and verbal communication and good command of the English language
• Learns and memorizes routine tasks
• Reasonable accommodations will be provided to any person with a disability to be able to perform the essential job functions of this position
• Darkhive retains the right to change or assign other duties as required for this position

Selection Process:

• Hiring team reviews applications
• 20-minute pre-screen with Darkhive recruiter
• 30-minute phone screen with the hiring manager
• Take home project
• In-person or video interview with extended hiring team

Benefits Darkhive Offers:

• Comprehensive medical plans
• 100% employer paid dental and vision insurance premiums
• Automatic 401k employer contribution with vesting
• Paid vacation and personal time off
• 11 Paid holidays
• 5 days of sick leave
• Stock options
• Welcoming and friendly work environment
• Respect of work-life balance

Darkhive is an equal-opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment against any employee or applicant because of race, color, gender (including pregnancy), age, gender identity, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.