Director, Materials Management (Starbase Infrastructure - Louisiana)

DIRECTOR, MATERIALS MANAGEMENT (STARBASE INFRASTRUCTURE - LOUISIANA)

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

We are seeking a hands-on, results-driven leader to own materials management operations for the Starship Program at our new Louisiana site. This role is responsible for standing up and leading materials operations; Including receiving, inventory management, material handling, kitting, and lineside delivery in support of Starship production. The director will build the organization, systems, and material flow required for a new site, then scale them as production rate increases. The director will drive operational excellence, safety, inventory accuracy, flight-hardware traceability, and productivity while developing a high-performing team of hourly and salaried employees. The ideal candidate will have a successful track record of leading large teams, managing complex operations, and building productive working relationships across manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, quality, and launch operations. This position is based in Starbase, Texas (Brownsville/South Padre Island Area) until early 2027. At that time, relocation to Louisiana will be required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own the end-to-end materials management strategy and day-to-day operations for Starbase, LA, including shipping and receiving, inventory management, material handling, kitting, production-line support, and on-site logistics as the new Starship site comes online and ramps
• Stand up materials processes for Starship production, covering large structures, propulsion hardware, avionics, thermal protection, ground support equipment, and the high part mix, serialization, and traceability those commodities require
• Lead inbound and outbound logistics, truck and yard operations, and material-flow design so the right hardware arrives on time and in the right condition for production, integration, and test
• Define and execute the site materials operating system for a new facility: layout, storage strategy, handling methods for oversized and heavy flight hardware, and the controls that protect inventory accuracy from day one
• Drive capital planning, automation roadmaps, and process design — including WMS and ERP integration and material-handling solutions appropriate to Starship hardware — to improve velocity, accuracy, and cost as rate increases
• Establish and own site materials KPIs, inventory health, cost, and operational metrics aligned with Starship production goals and the build-out of Starbase, LA
• Lead process improvement and capital projects that let Materials Management keep pace with factory rate, new buildings, and new production flows
• Build, lead, and develop a multi-level organization of managers, supervisors, analysts, and warehouse associates across shifts; create the leadership pipeline and org design a growing Starship site needs
• Set a high safety standard across a new and expanding footprint: leadership safety reviews, rigorous root-cause analysis, and safety designed into new processes, equipment, and facilities
• Partner with site leadership, manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, quality, and finance, and with other Starship sites, so local materials strategy matches vehicle build plans, new product introduction, and campus planning
• Lead cost reduction and value engineering, including packaging, logistics, inventory strategy, and supplier collaboration, without compromising flight-hardware quality or schedule
• Own workforce planning, talent development, performance management, and organizational design for a multi-shift materials team in a high-growth, high-ambiguity environment
• Represent Materials Management with site and program leadership and drive cross-functional decisions on capacity, systems, and operational readiness for new buildings and production lines

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience in one or more of the following: engineering, production, manufacturing, operations, materials management, or supply chain
• 4+ years of direct leadership experience, including leading managers and multi-level organizations

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience scaling materials, warehouse, or logistics operations in a high-volume or high-mix manufacturing environment
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in supply chain, business, engineering, or a related technical field
• Track record of standing up or scaling materials, warehouse, or logistics operations through a new facility, major expansion, or multi-building campus
• Experience implementing or optimizing warehouse management systems (WMS), ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent), and automated or mechanized material handling
• Background supporting aerospace or launch-vehicle production, including large structures, flight hardware, high part complexity, and strict traceability
• Experience with new product introduction and rate ramps, where process, tooling, and material flow change while hardware is still being built
• Lean or Six Sigma Black Belt, or equivalent, with demonstrated results at meaningful scale
• Working fluency with data and systems (SQL, Power BI, advanced Excel, or equivalent) for inventory and performance management
• Experience with multi-year capital planning, automation justification, ROI analysis, and delivery of capital projects
• Ability to lead through ambiguity, rapid change, and hypergrowth
• Experience monitoring cost and quality to ISO 9001 and AS9100 (or equivalent) standards

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to work extended hours and weekends based on site operational needs
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted and work in a warehouse and production environment, including areas with oversized hardware and industrial equipment
• Able to travel for business, including to other Starship sites, as needed up to 10% on an ongoing basis
• This position is based in Starbase, TX (Brownsville) to start, and will require full time relocation to Louisiana in early 2027 - remote work not considered