Global Supply Manager - Propulsion

Mach Industries

$90K — $120K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain/Operations Management, Business, or equivalent (10+ years of relevant experience may substitute for a degree).
  • 5+ years of supply chain experience focusing on mechanical or aerospace hardware; propulsion systems knowledge is a plus.
  • Proven experience in supplier management, sourcing strategy, and contract negotiation.
  • Strong understanding of MRP/ERP systems and demand planning processes.
  • Familiarity with defense industry compliance requirements, including ITAR, EAR, and NDAA.
  • Ability to interpret complex BOMs and collaborate with engineering on design-for-procurement initiatives.
  • Experience in development, qualification, or production environments with rapidly evolving technical requirements.

Responsibilities

  • Lead supply chain strategy and execution for propulsion systems, including solid rocket motor systems and propulsion structures.
  • Develop and implement a Propulsion Supply Chain Strategy managing specialized vendors for optimal value and partnerships.
  • Identify and onboard new suppliers to fill capability gaps and establish preferred suppliers for energetics categories.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with various teams for timely sourcing and delivery of energetics systems.
  • Become technically fluent in manufacturing processes relevant to propulsion systems and high-temperature materials.
  • Own demand planning and forecasting for propulsion systems across various production phases.
  • Conduct supply chain assessments to ensure material readiness throughout production stages.

Benefits

  • Health insurance plans.
  • Retirement plans for long-term financial security.
  • Professional development opportunities to foster career growth.
Full Job Description
The Role

Mach Industries is seeking a strategic and technically adept Global Supply Manager to lead the sourcing, planning, and execution of all supply chain activities related to propulsion systems supporting our platforms. This role is responsible for developing and implementing category and supplier strategies, managing supplier performance, and ensuring the timely delivery of critical hardware and materials-including solid rocket motor systems, propulsion structures, energetics and ignition hardware, mechanical assemblies, and specialized long-lead materials-across all phases of development, qualification, test, and production. The ideal candidate will bring strong mechanical and advanced manufacturing supply chain experience, along with familiarity supporting propulsion and energetics hardware development. They should possess exceptional cross-functional collaboration skills and a proven ability to operate effectively within complex propulsion and energetics manufacturing environments while optimizing cost, quality, and lead time in a fast-paced defense environment.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead the end-to-end supply chain strategy and execution for propulsion systems supporting Mach platforms, including solid rocket motor systems, propellant manufacturing, propulsion structures, thermal protection hardware, ignition systems, and associated qualification and test hardware.
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive Propulsion Supply Chain Strategy, managing a specialized vendor base to optimize value, technical capability, production readiness, and long-term partnerships.
  • Identify and onboard new suppliers to address capability or capacity gaps, and establish preferred suppliers for assigned energetics categories.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Program Management, Manufacturing, Test, and Procurement to ensure timely sourcing, qualification, integration, and delivery of energetics systems aligned with program milestones and flight or ground test campaigns.
  • Become technically fluent in the propulsion manufacturing processes, including propulsion system manufacturing, high-temperature materials and processes, propellant-related manufacturing, and qualification testing activities to support design-for-supply-chain and industrialization initiatives.
  • Own initial demand planning and forecasting for propulsion systems and associated hardware across development, qualification, low-rate initial production (LRIP), and ramping production phases.
  • Conduct comprehensive supply chain assessments to support material readiness through all production phases, including development, qualification, ramp-up, and sustainment.
  • Develop sourcing strategies to mitigate risk, reduce cost, and improve resilience for long-lead, specialized, and single-source energetics systems, propulsion hardware, and critical materials.
  • Drive supplier accountability for performance, including quality, cost, technical execution, and on-time delivery; manage open orders, resolve supply issues, and triage supplier non-conformances (NCRs).
  • Conduct regular onsite supplier engagements to assess manufacturing readiness, resolve technical and operational constraints, and support industrialization efforts across energetics programs.
  • Support supplier manufacturing readiness reviews, qualification planning, process capability assessments, and production ramp strategies for energetics systems and propulsion hardware.
  • Negotiate contracts in collaboration with legal and compliance teams, ensuring alignment with ITAR, EAR, NDAA, hazardous material transport requirements, and other regulatory frameworks.
  • Monitor and report on supply chain health using KPIs, and implement supplier performance improvement programs.
  • Drive and assist in the development of advanced supply chain, industrialization, and supplier management processes that elevate the overall organization.
  • Support broader supply chain activities beyond mechanical systems, including sourcing, procurement, and material planning for adjacent hardware categories as needed to meet overall program objectives.
  • Provide regular briefings to leadership on propulsion supply chain performance, risks, industrialization status, and mitigation strategies.


Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain/Operations Management, Business, or equivalent. (10+ years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.)
  • 5+ years of supply chain experience, with a focus on mechanical, aerospace hardware, advanced manufacturing, or other technically complex hardware categories. Previous experience with propulsion systems a plus.
  • Proven experience in supplier management, sourcing strategy, and contract negotiation
  • Strong understanding of MRP/ERP systems and demand planning processes
  • Familiarity with defense industry compliance requirements, including ITAR, EAR, and NDAA a plus
  • Ability to interpret complex BOMs and collaborate with engineering on design-for-procurement initiatives
  • Experience operating in development, qualification, or production environments with rapidly evolving technical requirements.
  • Excellent communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills


Preferred Qualifications
  • Active Secret security clearance or ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance.
  • Experience in supply chain management for unmanned systems, robotics, or aerospace applications.
  • Deep expertise in energetics (munitions/missile/ordnance/payload).
  • Hands-on experience with supplier qualification and performance management in a defense or high-reliability environment.
  • Advanced knowledge of regulatory frameworks such as ITAR, EAR, and NDAA, with a track record of ensuring compliance.
  • Proficiency in advanced supply chain analytics and optimization tools.
  • Experience supporting rapid production ramps and scalable manufacturing operations.


Disclosures

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offers may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and training, critical skills, and business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in most offers and are considered part of Mach's total compensation package. Mach offers benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development.

If you'd like to defend the American way of life, please reach out!

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