Head of Supply Chain

Job Description

Job Description

About Us

Tavaci is the Physical AI for feeding nations.

We are a Physical AI startup at the intersection of industrial artificial intelligence and automated precision agriculture. Our Tavaci Towers are purpose-built to sprout grain as feed for livestock and other animals at commercial scale—bringing a new standard of efficiency, sovereignty, and sustainability to the agricultural supply chain.

As we scale manufacturing operations, we are assembling an operations leadership team with the expertise and drive to build something lasting.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Head of Supply Chain to own and build our end-to-end supply chain and logistics function from the ground up. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for sourcing and procuring all components that go into our tower product—including structural steel, galvanized pipe, plastic injection-molded parts, and electronics—as well as managing international trade, inbound logistics, inventory, and warehouse operations. You will establish the systems, processes, and vendor relationships that underpin our ability to manufacture at scale.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Sourcing

• Own all purchasing of tower components including HSS structural steel, galvanized steel pipe, plastic injection-molded parts, and electronic assemblies and sub-assemblies
• Develop and manage a supplier base that delivers on cost, quality, and lead time; negotiate contracts and long-term agreements
• Identify and qualify alternative sources to reduce single-supplier risk and support cost-down initiatives
• Partner closely with manufacturing engineering and product development teams to support new product introduction (NPI) and design-for-manufacturability

International Trade & Logistics

• Manage international importing and exporting of materials and finished goods, including customs clearance, tariff classification (HTS codes), and trade compliance
• Oversee relationships with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and third-party logistics providers (3PLs)
• Optimize inbound and outbound freight modes, routing, and costs across ocean, air, and ground
• Stay current on trade regulations, duties, and import/export requirements relevant to agricultural equipment and component materials

Inventory & Warehouse Management

• Build and manage inventory planning processes to ensure component availability that supports production schedules without excess carrying cost
• Oversee warehouse operations including receiving, storage, cycle counting, and material flow to the production floor
• Implement inventory management best practices and systems (ERP/MRP integration, min/max levels, safety stock policies)
• Drive accuracy and accountability through strong process discipline and regular reporting

Team & Organization Building

• Build and lead a supply chain team as the company scales, including hiring, onboarding, and developing direct reports
• Establish supply chain KPIs, reporting cadences, and dashboards that provide visibility to operations leadership
• Develop and document SOPs for all supply chain functions to support scalability and auditability

Qualifications

Required

• 7+ years of progressive supply chain, procurement, or operations experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role
• Demonstrated experience managing international trade, imports/exports, customs compliance, and global freight logistics
• Hands-on experience procuring manufactured components—metal fabrication, structural steel, pipe, plastics, or electronics strongly preferred
• Experience building or significantly improving supply chain infrastructure in a manufacturing environment
• Proficiency with ERP or MRP systems for purchasing, inventory, and demand planning
• Strong negotiation skills and demonstrated ability to manage and develop supplier relationships
• Excellent organizational skills and comfort operating in a fast-paced, high-growth environment

Preferred

• Experience in industrial machinery, agricultural machinery, capital equipment, or hardware manufacturing
• Familiarity with Lean principles, 5S, or Kanban in a manufacturing or warehouse context
• APICS CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent supply chain certification
• Experience working with contract manufacturers or toll manufacturers
• Background in scaling supply chain operations alongside rapid production volume growth