Associate – Inventory & Operations

Who We Are

AeroVect is transforming ground handling with autonomy, redefining how airlines and ground service providers around the globe run day-to-day operations. We are a Series A company backed by top-tier venture capital investors in aviation and autonomous driving. Our customers include some of the world’s largest airlines and ground handling providers. For more information, visit www.aerovect.com.

We are looking for an Inventory & Operations Associate to join AeroVect’s growing team. In this role, you will own the systems and processes that ensure our autonomous tractor production and operations scale smoothly. You will manage supplier relationships, track inventory, forecast parts availability, and oversee procurement to keep production timelines on track. Beyond supply chain, you will also manage AeroVect’s internal asset tracking, expense compliance, and operational audits, helping ensure discipline and accountability across the organization.

This is a cross-functional role that requires structured execution, foresight, and hands-on problem solving. You will collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams, while also providing leadership on process visibility, cost controls, and risk management. This position is a strong fit for someone with early career experience in supply chain, procurement, or operations, or a highly capable generalist with project management skills looking to build expertise in hardware operations.

Attention to detail, proactive planning, and operational rigor are key attributes required for success in this position.

What You’ll Do:

• Supply Chain & Procurement

  • Manage and track AeroVect’s inventory levels, parts availability, and lead times.

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and manufacturers.

  • Anticipate and mitigate supply chain risks, including evolving customs, tariffs, and regulatory procedures.

  • Negotiate terms and pricing with suppliers and execute procurement end-to-end (from purchase order to delivery).

  • Forecast and monitor changes in lead times, ensuring visibility into their impact on production schedules.

  • Stay ahead of hardware procurement needs, ensuring readiness for production and demo timelines.

• Operational Oversight & Risk Management

  • Conduct and support safety audits of AeroVect’s hardware and processes.

  • Provide ongoing visibility into ETA variability and supply constraints for leadership and project teams.

  • Develop and manage dashboards, trackers, and reporting systems to highlight operational risks and dependencies.

• Asset & Expense Management

  • Maintain oversight of company hardware assets (laptops, devices, parts, etc.) and assign accountability across the team.

  • Track operational expenses and review team expense reports for compliance with policy.

  • Recommend improvements to expense policy and procurement practices to ensure cost discipline.

• Cross-Functional Project Management

  • Coordinate with engineering and operations teams to align supply availability with hardware development timelines.

  • Standardize and document operational processes to reduce reactivity and improve efficiency.

  • Serve as a central hub for visibility and accountability across AeroVect’s supply chain and operational workflows.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in supply chain management, procurement, operations management, or related roles.

• Strong analytical and organizational skills, with proven ability to track and manage complex dependencies.

• Experience working with suppliers, manufacturers, and logistics partners.

• Demonstrated ability to forecast needs and anticipate risks in a fast-paced environment.

• Comfort with managing both operational detail (inventory, expenses) and higher-level planning (lead times, risk management).

• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate across technical and non-technical teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience scaling supply chain operations for hardware production in a startup or manufacturing context.

• Familiarity with customs, tariffs, and global supply chain challenges.

• Background in process implementation or ERP/inventory management systems.

• Knowledge of safety compliance practices in hardware or manufacturing.

• Experience building and managing reporting tools or dashboards for operational visibility.

• Interest in autonomous vehicles, aviation, and advanced manufacturing.