Supply Chain Manager

Orbital Materials develops advanced materials and chemical processes by bridging the worlds of AI, Mechanical and Chemical engineering. We’re looking for ambitious thinkers and builders; those excited by the challenge of bridging AI and industry, chemistry and computation, discovery and deployment.

Our mission is to usher in an era where new advanced materials are no longer discovered, but are engineered with AI and we’ll use this to build technologies that solve major global technology challenges.

Joining Orbital Materials means working at the intersection of deep tech, applied science, and engineering innovation. We are a truly global organisation with teams in London (UK), San Francisco (CA) & Princeton (NJ), building teams in ML Research and Product Development to Mechanical and Chemical Engineering, offering opportunities for talented individuals who want to shape the future of materials and their applications in high-impact industries.

Role Overview

In this role, you will be building your ideal team of professionals and establishing the supply and inventory systems for a new suite of data center related products including a 2 Phase Direct to Chip cooling system utilizing a new novel coolant discovered by Orbitals AI technology, Coolant Distribution Units, Carbon Capture technology and modular data centers.

Initially, this role will start with outsourcing production to contract manufacturing requiring the establishment of new processes and procedures for validating and onboarding suppliers.

In our 2nd phase, we will be establishing our in-house manufacturing capabilities requiring building of teams and processes from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities

Take an active and lead role in the building of a new and resilient supply chain team of professionals responsible for managing all aspects of supply and inventory management as Orbital Materials expands into the data center products market:

Phase 1 — Contract Builder Evaluation & Stand-Up

• Source and pre-qualify Contract Manufacturers (CMs) and key suppliers; run RFI/RFP/RFQ processes with clear requirements, forecasts, and acceptance criteria.
• Perform commercial and technical due diligence: capacity, process capability, quality systems (ISO 9001/14001), financial stability, ESG posture, etc.
• Lead cost breakdown analyses (labor, materials, overhead, NRE, tooling), total landed cost modeling, and should-cost benchmarks.
• Establish an onboarding playbook with contract manufacturers: part numbering, revision control, change communication, incoming inspection plans, and packaging/labeling standards.
• Build supplier scorecards and QBR cadence; set up tier-2/3 visibility for critical components and risk continuity plans.
• Establish and maintain vendor schedules coordinating between sub-component vendors, contract manufacturers and end customers

Phase 2 — In-House Manufacturing Launch

• Stand up procurement, receiving, and inventory management functions from zero: policies, SOPs, work instructions, and controls (cycle counts, adjustments, segregation of NCRs).
• Select and implement ERP/MRP (or extend current): item master, BOMs/routings, suppliers, price lists, lead times, safety stocks, reorder points, and approvals.
• Design warehouse layout and material flow: stocking strategies (ABC/XYZ), bin locations, barcoding/labeling, kitting, Kanban/supermarket, and point-of-use delivery.
• Create receiving & inspection processes (AQL plans, COA/COC handling), MRB/NCR/CAPA workflows, and supplier corrective action loops.
• Build the approved vendor list (AVL) and dual-source critical parts; manage tooling/NRE, qualification runs, and ramp readiness with Ops/Quality/Engineering.

Ongoing Procurement & Inventory Control

• Own demand/supply planning and S&OP: forecast consumption, capacity checks with CMs/Plant, and constrained plans.
• Place and manage purchase orders; expedite/de-expedite to service build plans while minimizing excess/obsolete (E&O).
• Optimize inventory (DOH, turns, service level) via safety-stock modeling, MOQ/EOQ, and lead-time reduction.
• Drive cost-down programs (VA/VE, alternates, design-for-supply, panelization/2D nesting/1D nesting where relevant) and renegotiations.
• Manage inbound logistics and trade compliance: HTS codes, country of origin, documentation, brokers, customs, and duties optimization.
• Maintain accurate data: prices, lead times, supplier performance, and part attributes; enforce revision control across Engineering/Production.
• Own demand/supply planning and S&OP: forecast consumption, capacity checks with CMs/Plant, and constrained plans.
• Place and manage purchase orders; expedite/de-expedite to service build plans while minimizing excess/obsolete (E&O).
• Optimize inventory (DOH, turns, service level) via safety-stock modeling, MOQ/EOQ, and lead-time reduction.
• Drive cost-down programs (VA/VE, alternates, design-for-supply, panelization/2D nesting/1D nesting where relevant) and renegotiations.
• Monitor and improve performance via scorecards (OTD, PPM, responsiveness, cost, sustainability).

Risk, Compliance & Sustainability

• Map the multi-tier supply chain; identify single-points-of-failure and create continuity plans (buffers, alternates, dual tooling).
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and ethical sourcing standards; maintain documentation for audits.

Systems, Analytics & Reporting

• Own ERP/MRP configurations, approval workflows, and segregation of duties.
• Build dashboards and KPIs; automate routine reporting and alerts (e.g., late POs, inventory accuracy, stockouts risk).
• Implement barcoding/RFID and digital receiving/issuance for real-time traceability.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with Engineering on DFM/DFA and early supplier involvement; influence specs for cost/lead-time/quality.
• Align with Finance on standard costs, PPV, accruals, and cash-flow terms; with Legal on contracts/IP.

What We’Re Looking For

• Start-up Mindset: ability to work within the “gray” as a valuable team member to refine, clarify, and continuously improve and automate processes and designs.
• Procurement & Negotiation: Strategic sourcing, cost modeling/should-cost, contracts/MSAs, Incoterms, hedging/indexation.
• Planning & Inventory: S&OP, MRP, safety stock/EOQ modeling, ABC/XYZ, cycle counting, kitting/kanban.
• Quality & Compliance: PPAP/FAI, inspection planning (AQL), NCR/MRB/CAPA, supplier audits, ISO 9001; familiarity with ISO 14001/EHS and trade compliance.
• Systems: ERP/MRP (e.g., SAP/Oracle/NetSuite/Microsoft Dynamics), barcoding/RFID, advanced Excel and data tools (Power BI/Tableau).
• Manufacturing & DFM: Understanding of BOMs/routings, tolerances, alternates, and design-for-supply; experience onboarding CMs.
• Logistics: Freight modes, brokers, customs, HTS/CoO, duty optimization; VMI/consignment.
• Risk Management: Multi-tier mapping, dual-sourcing, continuity planning, scenario modeling.
• Soft Skills: Supplier relationship management, cross-functional leadership, clear documentation, change management, and coaching/people development.
• Competitive salary commensurate with AI sector
• Flexible and generous paid time off
• Pension with company match
• Systems: ERP/MRP (e.g., SAP/Oracle/NetSuite/Microsoft Dynamics), barcoding/RFID, advanced Excel and data tools (Power BI/Tableau).
• Manufacturing & DFM: Understanding of BOMs/routings, tolerances, alternates, and design-for-supply; experience onboarding CMs.
• Logistics: Freight modes, brokers, customs, HTS/CoO, duty optimization; VMI/consignment.
• Risk Management: Multi-tier mapping, dual-sourcing, continuity planning, scenario modeling.
• Soft Skills: Supplier relationship management, cross-functional leadership, clear documentation, change management, and coaching/people development.
• Competitive salary commensurate with AI sector
• Flexible and generous paid time off
• Pension with company match

Why Join Orbital?

• Excellent health, dental and vision insurance plans
• Equity package - the ability to own part of Orbital Materials as we grow

• Regular Company Offsites

• The experience of working in a cutting-edge organization dedicated to a better future

Orbital Materials is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.