Sr. Manager of Supply Chain - Saildrone

About Us

At Saildrone, we sustainably explore, map, and monitor the oceans to understand, protect, and preserve our world. We provide real-time access to critical data from any ocean on earth, 24/7/365, and use proprietary software applications to transform that data into actionable insights and intelligence. Our fleet of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), powered by renewable wind and solar power, have a minimal carbon footprint and operate without the need for a crewed support vessel.

Saildrone works with governments, civil agencies, foundations, universities, and private companies around the globe to drive better information about our oceans and seas—from sailing into the eye of a category 4 hurricane to obtain new data about how storms intensify, collecting new CO2 data in hard-to-reach areas, and counting fish biomass to inform sustainable fishery management, to mapping the ocean floor and reducing illegal fishing and drug trafficking. As a result of our work, we have been included on TIME's List of the 100 Most Influential Companies in 2024, Fast Company’s list of the "World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2022," and earned the Ocean Awards’ Innovation Award, presented by the Blue Marine Foundation. Saildrone's hurricane mission was included as one of The New York Times' "Top 21 Things that happened (for the first time) in 2021" and Popular Science's "100 Greatest Innovations of 2021," and entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for recording the "highest windspeed recorded by a USV."

We are based in Alameda, CA, with offices in Washington DC and St. Petersburg, FL, and operate our missions worldwide. Saildrone is backed by top-tier investors in the frontier tech and sustainability sectors, including Social Capital, Capricorn, Lux Capital, BOND Capital, and Emerson Collective.

This is an exciting opportunity with a fast-growing team at the cutting-edge intersection of big data services and autonomous hardware. You will be an integral part of a high-performing multi-disciplinary team that delivers high impact for humanity and future generations.

The Role

The Senior Manager of Supply Chain at Saildrone will lead all aspects of supply chain operations, including purchasing, inventory management, vendor selection, warehouse management, and demand planning. This role is pivotal in ensuring that Saildrone’s supply chain processes run efficiently, in alignment with company goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and ISO 9001 standards.

The Senior Manager of Supply Chain works closely with Saildrone’s Business Development, Engineering, and Production teams to support the company’s growth and ensure operational excellence in material flow, inventory management, and supplier coordination.

Responsibilities

1. Warehouse and Material Flow Management:

• Oversee Saildrone’s warehouse operations to ensure efficient material flow from component storage to final product distribution.
• Maintain accurate inventory controls and optimize the flow of materials from the factory to the field.
• Lead efforts to ensure all warehouse processes comply with ISO 9001 standards and internal safety regulations.
• Develop policies that increase warehouse efficiency while maintaining quality and safety.
• Coordinate material flow during engineering changes, product extensions, and new product launches to ensure smooth transitions.

2. Production and Demand Planning:

• Develop and implement production and demand planning strategies to ensure Saildrone has the right parts in inventory.
• Establish and track key performance metrics to measure the effectiveness of demand planning, production schedules, and supply chain processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align demand forecasts with production capacity and material availability.
• Actively participate in the NPI process to ensure material availability, cost, and timing are optimized for new designs.

3. Procurement:

• Manage procurement operations, including sourcing, quoting, ordering, and delivery of prototype and production components.
• Negotiate pricing and contracts with suppliers, including Master Purchase Agreements.
• Ensure timely delivery of raw materials and components to support Saildrone’s production schedules.
• Lead Saildrone’s Supplier Quality Management efforts, including evaluating, qualifying, and monitoring supplier performance.
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers and vendors to ensure competitive pricing and consistent quality.
• Monitor the performance of suppliers and identify opportunities for cost savings and continuous improvement.
  
  

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in supply chain management, including procurement, warehouse and material flow functions.
• 5+ years of experience managing teams in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across Saildrone’s cross-functional teams.
• Proven leadership and organizational skills, with the ability to oversee complex programs from inception to completion.
• Strong negotiation skills, particularly in managing relationships with vendors, suppliers, and shipping companies.
• Proficiency in NetSuite, Slack, Jira, & supply chain management tools
• A high level of urgency and focus to lead in dynamic, fast-paced environments like Saildrone’s.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 lbs at times.

Location: This position is in Alameda, CA. Our waterfront office offers beautiful views of San Francisco Bay in always sunny Alameda. Even our walls have good karma, our offices mix software development with a hardware production line in the former airplane hangar used to film 'The Matrix'.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision plans for you and your dependents.
• Short and relaxing ferry ride from the Ferry Building for SF residents
• Enhanced Parental Leave Programs
• Competitive benefits including excellent medical, life insurance, 401k plan
  
  

Catch up on the latest news about us:

The Tiny Craft Mapping Superstorms at Sea – The New York Times
TIME 100 Most Influential Companies 2024: Saildrone
An Underwater Mountain was Newly Discovered off California Coast – San Francisco Chronicle
Hacking the Anthropocene with Survivalist Robots [VIDEO] – Freethink
An Unprecedented View Inside a Hurricane – EOS
Saildrone’s First Aluminum Surveyor Autonomous Vessel Splashes Down for Navy Testing – TechCrunch
USVs Could Deter IUU Fishing – USNI Proceedings
Saildrone Vehicles Track Whales around Offshore Wind Power – Workboat
Mullen, Former Joint Chiefs Chairman, to Lead Board for Unmanned Tech Firm Saildrone – Breaking Defense
The Navy Is Using Robot Ships to Deter Human Smuggling out of Haiti – Defense One
Saildrone's Quiet Voyage: Autonomous Vehicle Aids Great Lakes Fish Stock Study – Up North Live
Saildrone Featured Videos Playlist

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

At Saildrone, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that welcomes people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that a diverse and inclusive team leads to innovation and better problem-solving. We encourage applications from candidates of all genders, ethnicities, races, sexual orientations, disabilities, and backgrounds.

Individual compensation packages are based on geographic location, scope of the role, relevant experience, and the ability to deal with complexity and problem solve within our organization, among other factors.

All employees are required to provide proof of authorization to work in the U.S. within their first 3 days of work. Please note that the Company does not sponsor employees for work visas or permanent resident cards to work in the U.S. If you need sponsorship for a work visa or green card, you will not be qualified for employment with Saildrone.

Any unsolicited resumes/candidate profiles submitted through our website or to personal email accounts of employees of Saildrone are considered property of Saildrone and are not subject to payment of agency fees.

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