Role OverviewThis is a foundational, hands-on role responsible for architecting nEye's end-to-end supply chain. You will own vendor engagement, materials planning, forecasting, inventory, logistics, and act as the business owner for the rollout of critical operational systems (ERP, MES, PLM/ECC). You will work closely with the Operations and Engineering teams to design a supply chain that is resilient, scalable, and deeply integrated with engineering and manufacturing workflows.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a zero-to-one environment and wants to spearhead the supply chain function for a category-creating hardware company.
Key Responsibilities- Build Supply Chain Function
- Design, implement, and scale supply chain processes, workflows, policies, and documentation.
- Develop a strategic roadmap for supply chain operations aligned with nEye's growth and manufacturing ramp.
- Establish foundational KPIs, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms for supply chain health.
- Systems Leadership
- Partner with the Operations Systems lead to define requirements for ERP, MES, and PLM systems. Act as the primary business owner for supply chain data accuracy and process adoption.
- Materials Planning & Execution
- Develop and maintain demand forecasts, safety stock models, build plans, and long-lead strategies.
- Own purchasing, PO management, and cost optimization for prototype and production materials.
- Oversee inbound/outbound logistics, warehousing, inventory, and materials traceability.
- Proactively identify and mitigate supply risks (allocation, yield issues, capacity constraints, sole-source components).
- NPI to Production Readiness
- Drive BOM accuracy, AVL management, ECO coordination, and change control across hardware, photonics, and MEMS components.
- Partner with engineering teams on build schedules, material availability, and long-lead planning.
- Ensure vendors are prepared for yield, reliability, and scale requirements.
- Supplier Ownership
- Identify, qualify, and manage critical suppliers across MEMS, silicon photonics, ASICs, optics, PCBA, and mechanicals.
- Negotiate supply agreements, lead times, pricing, and capacity commitments.
- Create and maintain vendor scorecards, drive quarterly reviews, and lead corrective actions when needed.
- Ensure suppliers meet quality, reliability, and manufacturability expectations for nEye's OCS products.
Required Qualifications- 8+ years of supply chain, operations, or manufacturing experience in high-tech hardware
- Some experience in semiconductor is essential, with some foundational exposure to MEMS, silicon photonics and optics.
- Hands-on experience building supply chain processes in an early-stage or rapidly growing hardware company.
- Practical experience leading the requirements, process design, and adoption for ERP, MES, PLM, and ECC systems.
- Deep expertise with Foundry/OSAT/CM management, outsourcing models, and supplier qualification.
- Strong understanding of NPI, hardware development cycles, prototype-to-pilot-to -production transitions.
- Ability to thrive in ambiguity, roll up your sleeves, and operate at both tactical and strategic levels.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills; strong analytical mindset.
Preferred Skills- Experience with silicon photonics, MEMS fabrication, optical modules, or complex multi-disciplinary hardware assemblies.
- Prior ownership of ground-up ERP/MES/PLM implementation.
- Startup operations buildout experience.
- Familiarity with reliability testing, manufacturing quality, and yield management.
$180,000 - $230,000 a year
Starting salary and title will depend on, and be commensurate with, relevant industry experience, skills, training, education, market demands, and the ultimate job duties and requirements.
