Senior Supply Chain Leader - Greenfield Aerospace

We are seeking a Senior Supply Chain Manager to report to the Chief Strategy Officer and lead the creation, qualification, and maturation of the supply chain required to certify and produce Zero Avia's first commercial powertrain products.

In this role, you will lead a supply chain team spanning Procurement, Contracts, and Materials, while working closely with Engineering, Program Management, and Quality to develop and maintain a strong, efficient, and compliant supply chain. You will play a critical role in ensuring supplier readiness, cost control, quality performance, and delivery reliability to support Zero Avia's technology development, certification timelines, and customer commitments.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced and aspiring supply chain leader to build a greenfield supply chain within a fast‑moving, mission‑driven company at the forefront of zero‑emission aviation.

Requirements

Responsibilities:

• Functional management of the supply chain team including appraisals, 1:1 reviews, development plans and resource allocation across projects
• Develop and maintain internal supply chain processes and documentation in alignment with regulations, ensuring to comply with the IBMS
• Manage the Materials function, which includes Goods in, Stores, Inventory management, Kitting and Despatch
• Work closely with the engineering team at the early design stage, to ensure supplier feedback is being incorporated where appropriate into the design
• Draft and negotiate supplier and purchasing contracts, and long-term agreements, support supplier statements of work creation and review suppliers' terms and conditions
• Drive supplier onboarding in collaboration with Quality and Engineering
• Create and monitor supplier KPIs
• Use Net Suite for vendor management, purchase order creation/approvals, receiving and inventory management
• As and when appropriate, coordinate and manage the relevant Advanced Production Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) deliverables
• Ensure Safety, Quality, Cost of Goods Sold reduction and delivery requirements are at the forefront of all supply chain decisions
• Provide information to support the Make vs Buy decision process

• Degree or certificate in Aviation Technology, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• Minimum 5 years' experience in supply chain role including 2 years as a team manager, with the ability to support the development of Supply Chain professionals
• Demonstrated stakeholder management skills including suppliers, colleagues and executive team.
• Strong negotiation skills and demonstrable experience in the development of long-term supplier agreements within the aerospace industry
• Ability to produce concise reports and effective presentations
• Proficient in the use of IT and able to leverage systems to provide data and reports for the benefit of the business
• Experience with Netsuite ERP
• Ability to identify strategic issues and monitor developing trends

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and quickly adjust to new challenges and opportunities
• Action-orientated, problem-solving mindset, able to think creatively, apply analytical skills and work collaboratively to drive improvements
• Team-oriented, working effectively with colleagues across various departments to achieve common goals
• Capacity to handle high-pressure situations and maintain focus on long-term objectives
• Genuine enthusiasm for clean aviation and a commitment to making a positive impact on the environment
• Able to effectively prioritise and working efficiently to meet targets and deadlines
• Dedication to personal and professional growth
• Upholding high ethical standards and transparency in all professional activities