Senior Manager

Pyka is seeking a hands-on Senior Manager, Supply Chain to lead its end-to-end supply chain operations. You will join during a period of significant long-term growth for Pyka and help define the company’s strategy for an efficient and scalable supply chain setting the stage for future growth.

You will bring your skill set and experience to find innovative solutions to supply chain constraints while maintaining the speed and agility in a start-up environment, making supply chain operations an accelerator for Pyka's mission.

About Pyka

Pyka’s goal is to provide society with a new form of safe, clean, and cost-effective transportation enabled by autonomous electric aviation.

To get there, we’re taking a different approach than most. We're applying our technologies to every industry where autonomous electric aircraft can be useful, starting with the highest value and most dangerous jobs. In doing so, we're building game-changing products manufactured at scale, while perfecting the safety, reliability, and capabilities of our autonomy engine and electric propulsion systems. 

We design, develop and manufacture an ecosystem of technologies including proprietary flight control software, avionics, high power density motors, motor controllers, batteries, and custom carbon-fiber composite airframes.

Today, we supply autonomous electric aircraft for cargo transport and crop protection to real-world customers across four separate continents and have secured industry-first regulatory approvals from the FAA. 

Our cargo aircraft enables remote connectivity, enhances express delivery networks, and ensures fast and reliable shipping of critical supplies to areas in need. Our crop protection aircraft offers agricultural services providers and farmers an autonomous tool to make aerial application safer, more precise, and less harmful to surrounding environments. Both vehicles are highly economical to operate, easy to deploy, and significantly reduce C02 emissions in their respective industries. 

What you work on at Pyka makes people’s lives better now and brings the future of electric aviation one step closer each day. 

Responsibilities

• Own, develop, and implement supply chain strategies that align with overall business goals, aiming for supply continuity, quality, efficiency and cost optimization while enabling the business to scale significantly.
• Responsible for procurement activities. As needed, issue and track weekly purchase orders and works closely with approved vendors to support on-time delivery while optimizing cost and inventory to satisfy the master production schedule
• Lead and manage a team of supply chain and inventory professionals, providing guidance, training, and support. Hire world class talent to continue the expansion of the existing team.
• Source, build, and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, managing negotiations, contracts, and long-term agreements to secure favorable terms and ensure a reliable supply of materials.
• Play an integral role in Pyka’s cost down strategy -- including vendor selection, negotiation, insource/outsource decisions, tax optimization, etc.
• Supports R&D, Manufacturing and Flight Operations teams to negotiate favorable contracts including parts pricing, tooling costs, and engineering services.
• Develops and maintains SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), Work Instructions and Policies for the Supply Chain functions
• Manage complex international logistics including day to day logistics planning & coordination, both to and from Pyka’s facility in the US optimizing for speed, reliability, and cost.
• Own all supply chain aspects (procurement, logistics, stock room/warehouse operations) of a new ERP implementation at the company including establishing new workflows, cross-dependencies, functional reports and dashboards
• Monitor KPIs, analyze data, and provide regular reports to management on supply chain & logistics performance, and launch improvement initiatives or projects based on this data
• Analyze risks and issues in the supply chain, identify suppliers of concern (single/sole source, long lead times, cost, quality, IP, etc.) and make recommendations to mitigate the risks
• Ensures availability of materials (components, sub-assemblies, finished goods and consumables) and maintains appropriate inventory levels to meet business needs. Responsible for managing vendor forecasts, materials buy plans, VMIs, etc.
• Assist with Inventory Management and Material Handling in the Stock Room as needed. Ensure maintenance of material receipts transactions records and timely updates into ERP/MRP and other systems
• Maintain Logistics data - cost, transit times, on time delivery, transit mode, freight forwarder service levels and responsiveness, etc. Analyze data and make recommendations for Logistics and Warehouse optimization
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and corporate policies related to procurement and materials management.
• Travels 10-15% of the time to visit suppliers and business partners, and conduct supplier assessments for production capacity, capabilities, and quality.
• Problem solve and remove obstacles for your team and internal and external partners. Know how to think critically and engage the right teams to help.
• Be a team player where no task is too small. Be willing to roll up your sleeves and get the job done. Embrace the startup life.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business administration, engineering, or a related field.
• 6+ years past experience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment in a supply chain role where complex mechanical and/or electrical assemblies were built. At least 3+ years in a leadership position focused on supply chain.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful procurement strategies and delivering cost savings.
• Proven track record working with CM’s in China and Mexico on similar products
• Excellent leadership and team management abilities, with a commitment to developing team members.
• Deep understanding of supply chain dynamics, including supplier evaluation, quality assurance, and risk management.
• Deep understanding of ERP systems
• Experience working in a Quality Management System

Bonus qualifications

• Previous experience in defense, aerospace, automotive, high tech, or another related industry.
• Previous experience in implementing ERP systems as they relate to supply chain (ex., supplier portal, warehouse management system...etc.).
• Strong team player who can wear different hats to help your team move forward. Willing to tackle individual contributor tasks while managing a small team.
• Experience in a “Big” company environment as well as a startup.

Company Perks

• $165,000-196,000 per year base salary + equity. Compensation will vary depending on location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Salary ranges are subject to change.
• Employer-sponsored health, dental and vision insurance
• FSA with employer matching
• 401(k)
• Paid holidays, generous PTO, and additional unpaid time off
• Voluntary short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Free catered lunch and plenty of snacks

Export Control Requirements

This position requires access to technology, software and other information that is subject to governmental access control restrictions, due to export controls.  Employment in this position is conditioned on the continued availability of government authorization to authorize release of such items, to the extent required, including without limitation an export license, or other documentation required to establish authorization to receive access to such items. 

Company may delay commencement of employment, rescind an offer of employment, terminate employment, and/or may modify job responsibilities, compensation, benefits, and/or access to Company facilities and information systems, as Company deems appropriate, in order to ensure compliance with applicable government access control restrictions.

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We do not work with external recruiters; if you are an external recruiter, please do not reach out.