Global Supply Chain Manager

Role Overview

• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of Procurement Specialists and supply chain contributors; set clear goals and expectations, deliver regular feedback, and build a high-performing, accountable team culture
• Own commodity strategy and sourcing decisions across assigned categories, including custom-engineered and long-lead components; lead supplier selection, RFQs, and competitive bidding processes
• Build and maintain strong relationships with a global supplier base; lead business reviews, drive performance accountability on quality, delivery, and cost, and manage escalations to resolution
• Lead negotiation of piece price agreements, tooling contracts, general terms and conditions, NDAs, and other commercial agreements; ensure Lightship’s commercial interests are protected
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Program Management, and Finance to support new product introduction, design changes, cost targets, and phase gate milestones; serve as the supply chain voice in cross-functional program reviews
• Identify and execute cost reduction opportunities; track and report supply chain spend against budget; own savings targets and present results to VP and executive leadership
• Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks — single-source dependencies, geopolitical exposure, supplier financial health, tariff and trade impacts, and capacity constraints
• Oversee inbound freight and carrier relationships; ensure on-time delivery of materials to support production schedules; drive continuous improvement in freight cost and transit performance
• Build and enforce procurement process discipline across the team; ensure accurate and timely PO management, vendor master data, and inventory records in NetSuite ERP; drive adoption of tools and workflows that scale
• Conduct regular supplier and partner site visits to assess capability, audit performance, and strengthen relationships; travel up to 25%

Requirements

• 7+ years of supply chain or procurement experience, with at least 2 years in a people management role leading a team of 2 or more direct reports
• Demonstrated experience managing procurement of custom-engineered or manufactured components in a production environment — not purely commodity or indirect purchasing
• Proven track record of leading end-to-end supplier negotiations, including piece price, tooling, and commercial terms
• Working knowledge of ERP systems — specifically managing purchase orders, receipts, vendor records, and inventory in a manufacturing context
• Experience partnering directly with Engineering through product development and design change cycles, including BOM management and NPI activities
• Strong communicator with the ability to influence cross-functionally, present to senior leadership, and represent supply chain in executive-level discussions
• Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, resource-constrained startup environment where process must be built and not just followed.

Tech Stack

• ERP

Benefits

• Healthcare, Dental, Vision
• 401k
• Flexible Paid Time Off
• that we actually want you to use!
• 8 Company Holidays + the company observes a period of scheduled downtime during the end of the year for a week, allowing all employees to enjoy a break
• 12 weeks paid parental leave
• $2,000 per year towards an RV trip of your own &/or professional development opportunities
• we call this a LightTrip