Head of Supply Chain- Defense Technology

Yes. I’d mirror that structure almost exactly and make the qualifications selective enough that your Indeed applicant pool is weighted toward hard-tech builders , not career procurement leaders from mature organizations. Head of Supply Chain - Defense Technology Location: El Segundo, CA Job Type: Full-Time Work Setting: On-Site, 5 Days per Week About the Opportunity Debelak Consulting Group has been engaged by an early-stage defense technology company in El Segundo to identify an experienced Head of Supply Chain . This is a senior leadership opportunity for a supply chain and manufacturing professional who has experience building within a hard-tech, aerospace, defense, space, robotics, or advanced manufacturing environment . The company is developing next-generation defense hardware with a focus on designing products for manufacturability, scalability, and higher-volume production . This is not a position focused on inheriting and managing an established procurement organization. The Head of Supply Chain will be responsible for helping build the supply chain function from the ground up, developing the supplier base, establishing scalable systems and processes, and working directly with engineering and manufacturing as the company moves from development into production. The ideal candidate has previously operated in a zero-to-one environment and understands what it takes to build the infrastructure required to scale a complex physical product. What You'll Be Responsible For Build and lead the company's supply chain function as the organization moves from early development into production. Develop the supplier strategy and establish a high-performing supplier base for complex manufactured hardware. Personally source, evaluate, qualify, negotiate with, and develop suppliers. Partner closely with engineering and manufacturing throughout prototype development, NPI, design iteration, and production ramp. Translate engineering BOMs and production requirements into sourcing, material, and capacity plans. Establish scalable procurement, planning, inventory, material control, and supplier management processes. Negotiate pricing, lead times, MOQs, tooling, capacity commitments, and commercial terms. Identify and mitigate long-lead, sole-source, quality, capacity, and supplier risks. Build and improve ERP/MRP infrastructure supporting purchasing, inventory, planning, and production. Establish supplier performance, quality, traceability, and continuous improvement processes. Support DFM/DFA initiatives and work with engineering to improve manufacturability, cost, lead time, and supplier capability. Remain hands-on with sourcing, purchasing, and supplier issues while building the broader supply chain organization. Recruit, develop, and lead additional supply chain professionals as the company scales. What We're Looking For The successful candidate should have significant experience building and scaling supply chain operations for complex physical hardware . This position is particularly well suited for someone who has worked within an early-stage or rapidly scaling hard-tech environment where processes, suppliers, systems, and teams still needed to be built. Qualified candidates will typically bring: 10+ years of progressive experience across supply chain, strategic sourcing, procurement, manufacturing operations, materials, or related functions. Experience within hard-tech, aerospace, defense, space, robotics, advanced manufacturing, or another complex hardware industry . Demonstrated experience building or substantially scaling a supply chain function , rather than solely managing an established organization. Experience supporting physical hardware from prototype and NPI through repeat or scaled production . Strong supplier sourcing, qualification, negotiation, development, and performance management experience. An established supplier network relevant to complex manufactured hardware. Experience working directly with engineering an…

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