Business Operations Manager - Supply Chain

About You and The Role 

Does the prospect of a society-altering challenge—bridging deep data-driven insights with high-level strategic execution to accelerate Zipline’s supply chain scaling for a first-of-its-kind autonomous robotic aircraft system—sound like the type of work that gets you out of bed in the morning? Can you seamlessly shift between diving into complex datasets to uncover actionable truths and crafting executive-level narratives that drive cross-functional alignment and bold decisions? Are you energized by the authority and responsibility of owning both analytical rigor and strategic project leadership in a high-visibility, mission-critical role? If this excites you, you’re who we’re looking for!

This is an in-person role based out of our HQ in South San Francisco requiring 5-15% travel to support supplier engagements, strategic initiatives, and key stakeholder meetings in Asia, North America, and other regions as needed.

What You'll Do 

In this highly visible and multifaceted role, you will own a blend of advanced analytics and strategic business leadership within the supply chain function. You will serve as a central force for turning raw data into compelling insights while simultaneously driving leadership-level projects that shape Zipline’s supply chain strategy, tools, and operations. You will collaborate closely with Engineering, Strategic Sourcing, Supplier Industrialization, Material Planning, Manufacturing Operations, Finance, and executive leadership to enable rapid, reliable scaling of Zipline’s manufacturing footprint through robust business analytics and strategy.

• Design, build, and maintain interactive visual dashboards, reporting tools, and analytical models using SQL, Python, Tableau, Power BI, and other business intelligence platforms to deliver real-time visibility into key supply chain metrics, trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Perform deep data extraction, transformation, and analysis across ERP, MRP, supplier, inventory, and production systems to generate actionable business insights, forecast accuracy improvements, cost drivers, and performance diagnostics.
• Lead strategic business projects and initiatives at the executive level, including developing high-impact presentations, executive decks, and recommendation frameworks that influence senior decision-making.
• Own and drive key supply chain transformation programs such as Supplier Portal implementation, EDI onboarding and integration, process digitization, and other strategic enhancements to improve supplier collaboration, data flow, and operational efficiency.
• Conduct structured problem-solving and strategic analysis on complex supply chain challenges—identifying root causes, modeling scenarios, evaluating trade-offs, and recommending prioritized actions to optimize cost, service, resilience, and scalability.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to translate business needs into analytical requirements and strategic roadmaps; facilitate alignment across stakeholders and ensure initiatives deliver measurable impact.
• Monitor and synthesize supply chain performance through custom KPIs, variance analysis, and trend tracking; proactively surface insights that inform executive reviews, planning cycles, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Drive process improvements and automation opportunities by leveraging data analytics to identify bottlenecks, recommend solutions, and support implementation with clear business cases and executive communication.
• Collaborate with leadership to shape supply chain strategy, prepare materials for board/executive updates, and contribute to high-stakes decision support in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

What You'll Bring

You have 1-10+ years of experience in a fast-paced, high-growth environment in roles such as Managerial Consulting, Data Analytics, Business Information Systems Manager, Technical Program Manager, or supply chain, engineering, or consulting-oriented positions within finance, operations, or manufacturing.

• You are highly proficient in data querying and manipulation (SQL), scripting/analysis (Python), and visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI) with a proven track record of building scalable dashboards and deriving insights from complex datasets.
• You have strong strategic thinking and executive communication skills, with experience creating and presenting high-quality decks, recommendations, and narratives to senior leaders.
• You have successfully led or contributed to strategic projects/initiatives such as system implementations (e.g., supplier portals, EDI, ERP enhancements), process transformations, or cross-functional programs with executive visibility.
• You excel at structured problem-solving, scenario modeling, and translating data into strategic recommendations that drive business outcomes in dynamic, resource-constrained settings.
• You have hands-on experience with supply chain/ERP systems and data environments, applying analytics to improve forecast accuracy, inventory health, supplier performance, or operational efficiency.
• You thrive in ambiguous, high-stakes environments, balancing deep analytical work with program leadership and executive stakeholder management.

Major Bonuses

• Advanced degree in Supply Chain, Business Analytics, Data Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field, with experience in high-tech, aerospace, robotics, or scaling manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated first-principles thinking and consulting-style rigor (e.g., hypothesis-driven analysis, MECE frameworks, executive storytelling) with measurable impact from past strategic projects.
• Experience in regulated/high-reliability industries with gated processes or complex stakeholder ecosystems.
• Proficiency in additional tools like advanced Excel, ERP engines, or data orchestration platforms; familiarity with supplier collaboration tools or APIs.
• Strong leadership presence with a history of influencing without authority and delivering results in growth-stage companies.

What Else You Need To Know

This role will require travel 5-15% of the time to support strategic initiatives, supplier partnerships, and key meetings. The starting cash range for this role is $147,800 - $285,200. Please note that this is a target, starting cash range for a candidate who meets the minimum qualifications for this role. The final cash pay for this role will depend on a variety of factors, including a specific candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, working location, and projected impact. The total compensation package for this role may also include: equity compensation; discretionary annual or performance bonuses; sales incentives; benefits such as medical, dental and vision insurance; paid time off; and more.

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws or our own sensibilities.

We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. If you like the sound of this position but are not sure if you are the perfect fit, please apply!