M
Merlinlabs1mo ago

Strategic Supply Chain Director

Boston · Boston · (boston)Full Timeexecutive
Logistics & Supply ChainSupply Chain Director
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Quick Summary

Overview

About Merlin: Merlin is a venture backed aerospace startup building a non-human pilot to enable both reduced crew and uncrewed flight. Backed by some of the world’s leading investors,

Technical Tools
Logistics & Supply ChainSupply Chain Director
About Merlin:
Merlin is a venture backed aerospace startup building a non-human pilot to enable both reduced crew and uncrewed flight. Backed by some of the world’s leading investors, Merlin is scaling alongside our customers to begin leveraging autonomy today to solve some of aviation’s biggest challenges.

About  You: 
We are seeking a highly strategic and execution-oriented Supply Chain Leader to design, scale, and actively manage a resilient, high-performing supply chain. This role is responsible for supplier strategy, market intelligence, risk mitigation, supplier quality, and purchase order execution across critical programs. The ideal candidate can translate complex engineering and technical requirements into actionable supplier strategies and data-driven decisions, while maintaining strong supplier partnerships and accountability.
  • Lead market surveys and supplier landscape assessments for key commodities and critical components
  • Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers to support cost, capacity, technology, and risk objectives
  • Maintain deep understanding of supplier markets, including pricing drivers, lead times, geopolitical risks, and capacity constraints
  • Proactively identify supply chain risks across quality, delivery, cost, single-source exposure, and geopolitical factors
  • Develop and implement mitigation strategies, including dual sourcing, inventory strategies, and contractual protections
  • Partner cross-functionally to ensure continuity of supply for critical programs and timelines
  • Establish and maintain supplier quality standards, metrics, and review cadences
  • Monitor supplier quality performance including schedule and cost, including corrective action management and continuous improvement initiatives
  • Actively manage supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, and responsiveness, holding suppliers accountable to commitments
  • Translate engineering requirements, specifications, and technical needs into clear supplier surveys, RFQs, and sourcing criteria
  • Partner closely with Engineering, Quality, and Manufacturing to ensure suppliers can meet technical, regulatory, and production requirements
  • Support make-buy decisions and supplier selection through technical and commercial evaluation
  • Own purchase order strategy, including lot sizing, lead-time management, and alignment to production schedules
  • Ensure accurate, timely execution of purchase orders and supplier commitments
  • Drive improvements in planning accuracy, on-time delivery, and inventory health
  • Serve as a key partner to Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and Program Management
  • Provide clear communication and visibility into supplier status, risks, and mitigation plans
  • Build scalable supply chain processes and tools to support company growth
  • 10+ years of progressive experience in supply chain, sourcing, or supplier management roles
  • Proven experience leading supplier strategy, market surveys, and supplier performance management
  • Strong ability to interpret and translate engineering requirements into supplier-ready documentation and evaluation criteria
  • Demonstrated success reducing supply chain risk in complex or regulated environments
  • Experience managing supplier quality and continuous improvement initiatives
  • Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills
  • Background in aerospace, manufacturing, hardware, or other technically complex industries
  • Background in aerospace, manufacturing, hardware, or other technically complex industries
  • Experience scaling supply chains in high-growth or pre-IPO environments
  • Familiarity with supplier audits, qualification processes, and quality management systems
  • Listing Details

    Posted
    March 23, 2026
    First seen
    March 26, 2026
    Last seen
    April 23, 2026

    Posting Health

    Days active
    27
    Repost count
    0
    Trust Level
    25%
    Scored at
    April 23, 2026

    Signal breakdown

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    Strategic Supply Chain Director