Senior Global Supply Manager

Saildrone is a maritime defense company and the global leader in autonomous unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). With more ocean miles and real-world operational experience than any USV manufacturer or operator, Saildrone maintains active, combat-deployed systems supporting national security and force projection around the world, 24/7/365. Saildrone’s manufacturing and R&D headquarters are located in Alameda, CA, with business development and sales operations in Washington, DC, and deployment hubs in Europe and the Middle East.

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated and strategic Senior Global Supply Manager (Sr GSM) to join our supply chain team. As a Sr GSM, you will own the end-to-end sourcing and supply chain strategy for critical commodities. You will be the bridge between our Engineering, NPI (New Product Introduction), and Production teams, ensuring that we deliver high-quality products on time and at the right cost. The ideal candidate has a proven track record in hardware manufacturing, a deep understanding of supplier capabilities, and the hustle required to build supply chain processes from the ground up in a startup setting.

The Team

The Supply Chain Team procures the essential materials required to build our drone fleet. Operating within the high-stakes national security and defense sector, we are dedicated to scaling our supply base and optimizing operations to meet the growing demands of the business.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Sourcing: Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers that align with our engineering requirements, quality standards, and scaling roadmaps.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Hardware Engineering and Production teams during the NPI phase to drive design-for-manufacturability (DFM) and ensure supply chain readiness.
• Negotiation & Contracting: Lead complex negotiations for pricing, lead times, and terms. Partner with Legal to establish NDAs, Master Supply Agreements (MSAs), and Statements of Work (SOWs).
• Cost Management: Develop and execute cost-reduction strategies. Perform "should-cost" modeling, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis, and manage RFQs to optimize our Bill of Materials (BOM) costs.
• Risk Mitigation: Monitor the global commodity landscape for potential disruptions. Proactively develop secondary sources and risk-mitigation plans to ensure uninterrupted production.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong partnerships with supplier executive teams. Drive supplier performance through regular business reviews (QBRs) focusing on quality, delivery, and cost metrics.
• Leadership & Process Scaling: Mentor mid/junior Global Supply Managers, establish standardized sourcing playbooks, and scale procurement systems as the department expands.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, supply chain management, or procurement, preferably within a hardware, electronics, or mechanical manufacturing startup.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes (e.g., PCBAs, semiconductors and electrical systems, electromechanical systems, fabricated parts, wire harnessing, or composites) and the ability to read technical drawings.
• Comfortable working in a fluid, fast-paced environment where you may need to build processes from scratch and pivot quickly.
• Deep experience with cost modeling, capacity planning, and navigating "make vs. buy" decisions.
• Hands-on experience working with PLM (Teamcenter X), ERP (NetSuite), and MRP systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; capable of presenting complex data effectively to internal teams and external suppliers.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or a related field.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer.
• Ability to lift up to 15 lbs as needed.

Pay

$150,000—$170,000 USD

Benefits

• Generous Time Off: Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual plus a robust annual holiday schedule and paid sick leave ensure you can rest, reset, and sustain performance over time.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Premium, multi-tier Medical, Dental, and Vision plans with significant company contributions for employees and dependents—providing security and peace of mind.
• Shared Ownership in the Mission: Equity grants are a core part of our compensation, allowing you to participate in the long-term value you help create through meaningful, operational work.
• Retirement Savings: Access to a 401(k) retirement plan with flexible pre-tax and Roth payroll contribution options supports long-term financial planning.
• Investment in Your Growth: We support your continuous learning through an annual professional development reimbursement program, empowering you to sharpen your skills and stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving field.
• Relocation Support: For eligible roles, we offer relocation assistance to help bring the world’s best talent to our mission-critical locations.