Supply Chain Deputy

Supply Chain Deputy 

Job Summary: 

The Supply Chain Deputy provides strategic and operational support for all supply chain functions in a mid-sized, AS9100-certified aerospace manufacturing and R&D organization. This role is responsible for procurement, production planning, inventory control, logistics, and supplier quality, ensuring alignment with company growth objectives, customer requirements, and regulatory standards. As a key member of the leadership team, this role balances hands-on execution with strategic direction—building scalable processes, strengthening supplier partnerships, and supporting both production and new product development in a high-mix, low-volume environment. 

Responsibilities and Duties: 

• Reporting to the Supply Chain Manager, this position will be responsible for the helping with the performance of the ESAERO purchasing process and team. 

• Designs and implement procurement strategies across all commodities to meet the needs of a growing project and manufacturing business in the aerospace and defense marketplace. 

• Maintain key performance Indicators (KPI’s) to drive superior supplier performance with an emphasis on high quality parts and services delivered on time. 

• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with key Suppliers in accordance with ESAero’s strategy to support project and manufacturing requirements. 

• Extend the capabilities of the ESAERO supply base to enable effective make/buy decisions, identification of tooling choices and the use of alternative materials, evaluation of available manufacturing methods, and the selection of high-quality subcontractors. 

• Ensure the application of the highest ethical standards in all procurement transactions. 

• Lead major subcontracting efforts to include wire harnesses, consigned inventory, turnkey pcba’s, and composite fabrication. 

• Develop secondary sources for any sole source components and services to support production and project team future growth. 

• Ensure DFARS regulations, DPAS ratings and specific government and/or Customer contract requirements are followed by procurement and flowed down to all relevant sub-contractors and suppliers. 

• Maintain and refine an “approved supplier” methodology in accordance with AS9100/ISO9001 requirements. 

• Work with QA and Engineering to identify and approve new suppliers to meet business needs 

• Monitor supplier performance and work with QA to refine this process and use the data to drive procurement choices, corrective actions, and supplier performance improvements. 

• Facilitate the inclusion of approved Suppliers to the integrated product teams throughout the product development process. 

• Help in positioning ESAERO to be able to leverage outside resources, especially in the areas of printed circuit assembly, wire harnesses and composite fabrication. 

• Establish and maintain a supplier base to support new products from prototype to ramped production with consistently high-quality components and services. 

• Identify and approve outside resources for key engineering services to meet overflow requirements and enable intelligent make/buy decisions. 

• Work with finance/accounting to ensure timely collection and recording of purchasing commitments and invoices. 

• Generates and maintains processes that enable accurate physical and NetSuite inventory 

• Generates and maintains processes that enable our inventory systems to scale efficiently and accurately manage >$100M of inventory 

• Works closely with finance and projects to rectify inventory errors 

• Works with projects to ensure good inventory practices are being followed, trains these practices 

• Supports project inventory disposition and closeout 

• Identifies and implements opportunities to reduce non-value-added time associated with inventory management and movement 

• Develops processes around consistent use and naming of inventory Locations and Bins 

• Supports process development around inventory tagging/marking such as labels, barcodes, etc. that better enable high-volume production 

• Owns inventory cycle counts and corrects root causes of inventory errors 

• Regularly performs internal audits of inventory processes (FAR requirement) 

• Helps projects navigate and follow FAR and DFARS-required inventory practices from procurement to consumption or disposition 

• Works with QA and project teams to develop processes that better enable traceability of material from receipt to consumption 

• Lead a small team to clean-up existing inventory in our facilities 

Required Qualifications and Skills: 

• 10+ years of experience in Supply Chain. 

• Proficiency with computerized MRP/ERP systems is required 

• Ability to identify and maintain key performance measurements for procurement. 

• Ability to help negotiate subcontract terms and conditions and pricing for materials and services 

• Responsible for maintaining positive relationships with qualified Suppliers 

• Ability to lead recurring cost estimation efforts for new product idea 

• Ability to review cost/quantity choices and make cost effective decisions 

• Knowledge of contract manufacturing practices. 

• Ability to find and establish viable relationships with offshore Suppliers 

• Ability to motivate and mentor a skilled procurement team 

• Familiarity with commercial electronics building practices and components  

• Hands-on experience with subcontracting and outsourcing printed circuit board assembly and cable/ harnesses is a must 

• Bachelor’s degree is required.  Formal purchasing certification is required.  Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) or Institute for Supplier Management (ISM) training and/or certification is desirable. 

• Understanding of inventory control methods and production control techniques 

• Prior government contracting experience is required. 

Comprehensive Benefits & Perks: 

• Health & Wellness: Choose from three health, dental, and vision plans - including a 100% employer-paid option covering both employees and their families. 

• Paid Time Off: Enjoy 120 hours of PTO, 80 hours accrued plus an additional 40 hours of holiday break pay in addition to Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day off. 

• Life Insurance: $25,000 employer-paid life insurance policy, with the option to purchase additional coverage for employees and their families. 

• Supplemental Coverage: Access optional benefits such as Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness with Skin Cancer coverage. 

• Health Savings Account (HSA): Take advantage of a tax-advantaged HSA to manage medical expenses. 

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) with a company match to support your financial future. 

• Paid Holidays: Enjoy 9 paid holidays throughout the year. 

• Work Environment: A casual dress code, complimentary snacks, and a welcoming company culture. 

• Ideal Location: Work in an area that offers an outstanding quality of life - a perfect place to live, work, and play! 

Company Overview:

Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc (ESAero) is a leader in aerospace engineering, product development, and manufacturing, dedicated to delivering high-quality, innovative, and cost-effective solutions to the industry. We specialize in cutting-edge system design, rapid product development, precision manufacturing, comprehensive testing, and technology demonstrations to support the evolving needs of the aerospace community. Committed to excellence, on-time delivery, and continuous growth, we invest in infrastructure to expand our manufacturing and aftermarket capabilities while maintaining the highest standards of engineering services. 

At ESAero, we don’t just build products, we engineer solutions that propel  

the aerospace industry forward. 

**This position is fully on-site at ESAero in San Luis Obispo, CA** 

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ESAero is an equal opportunity employer.  
E-Verify participation required for employment.

All ESAero positions require US citizenship or US resident status.       
Must be able to pass background check and drug test.       
Hiring Range: $141,000 - $180,000 Salary/Exempt