Supply Chain Manager

About the role

We’re expanding our operations team with a Supply Chain Manager to own the discovery, qualification, and onboarding of new CNC machine shops and additive manufacturing shops across the United States. Vendra’s customer demand is growing - particularly in aerospace & defense - and we need to continuously expand and improve our network of high-quality U.S. manufacturers with available capacity. This is a high impact, “boots on the ground” role that directly influences Vendra’s ability to scale.

Responsibilities

• Expand Vendra’s U.S. CNC Machining and Additive Manufacturing Supplier Network
• Build a strong pipeline of qualified 3-, 4-, and 5-axis shops
• Build a strong pipeline of polymer and metal additive manufacturing suppliers
• Target suppliers aligned with aerospace, defense, and high-spec hardware requirements
• Evaluate supplier capabilities, capacity, and specialization (materials, tolerances, part size, finishing, etc.)
• Travel to visit key shops and build long-term relationships
• Own Supplier Qualification & Onboarding
• Evaluate supplier capability and quality through reviews and test parts
• Assess quality systems (ISO 9001, AS9100, documentation controls, etc.)
• Validate ability to meet traceability, documentation, and compliance requirements (ITAR/EAR, certs, FAIRs, etc.)
• Ensure suppliers are fully production-ready before receiving high-value RFQs and orders
• Build and Optimize Vendra’s Supplier Network
• Understand real-time supplier capacity, technical strengths, and constraints across our network
• Identify capability gaps (large-format machining, tight GD&T performance, specific materials or finishes, etc.)
• Collect and analyze supplier performance metrics (on-time delivery, quality, quoting speed, communication, program complexity, etc.)
• Feed structured performance data back into Vendra’s supplier matching system to improve how RFQs are routed and matched to the best-fit shop

Requirements

• 2-5 years of experience in supply chain, sourcing, manufacturing operations, or supplier management
• Experience working directly with CNC machine shops or precision manufacturers
• Strong understanding of machining processes, tolerances, materials, and finishes
• Comfortable reviewing technical drawings and assessing manufacturability
• Experience qualifying suppliers in regulated environments (aerospace/defense preferred)
• Willingness to travel to visit suppliers in person

Skills

• Experience working with aerospace, defense, robotics,