Supply Chain Manager

What we’re looking for

We’re expanding our operations team with a Supply Chain Manager to own the discovery, qualification, and onboarding of new CNC machine shops and additive manufacturing shops across the United States.

Vendra’s customer demand is growing - particularly in aerospace & defense - and we need to continuously expand and improve our network of high-quality U.S. manufacturers with available capacity. This is a high impact, “boots on the ground” role that directly influences Vendra’s ability to scale.

What you’ll do

1. Expand Vendra’s U.S. CNC Machining and Additive Manufacturing Supplier Network
   • Build a strong pipeline of qualified 3-, 4-, and 5-axis shops
   • Build a strong pipeline of polymer and metal additive manufacturing suppliers
   • Target suppliers aligned with aerospace, defense, and high-spec hardware requirements
   • Evaluate supplier capabilities, capacity, and specialization (materials, tolerances, part size, finishing, etc.)
   • Travel to visit key shops and build long-term relationships
2. Own Supplier Qualification & Onboarding
   • Evaluate suppler capability and quality through reviews and test parts
   • Assess quality systems (ISO 9001, AS9100, documentation controls, etc.)
   • Validate ability to meet traceability, documentation, and compliance requirements (ITAR/EAR, certs, FAIRs, etc.)
   • Ensure suppliers are fully production-ready before receiving high-value RFQs and orders
3. Build and Optimize Vendra’s Supplier Network
   • Understand real-time supplier capacity, technical strengths, and constraints across our network
   • Identify capability gaps (large-format machining, tight GD&T performance, specific materials or finishes, etc.)
   • Collect and analyze supplier performance metrics (on-time delivery, quality, quoting speed, communication, program complexity, etc.)
   • Feed structured performance data back into Vendra’s supplier matching system to improve how RFQs are routed and matched to the best-fit shop

What success looks like (in order of importance)

• Supplier quality and on-time delivery remain extremely high as we scale
• Vendra consistently has the capacity to support customer demand without bottlenecks
• New CNC shops are onboarded quickly and become reliable production partners
• We have strong geographic and capability coverage across the U.S.
• Our supplier base becomes a long-term strategic advantage

What the ideal candidate looks like

• 2-5 years of experience in supply chain, sourcing, manufacturing operations, or supplier management
• Experience working directly with CNC machine shops or precision manufacturers
• Strong understanding of machining processes, tolerances, materials, and finishes
• Comfortable reviewing technical drawings and assessing manufacturability
• Experience qualifying suppliers in regulated environments (aerospace/defense preferred)
• Willingness to travel to visit suppliers in person

Nice to have (not required)

• Experience working with aerospace, defense, robotics, or advanced hardware companies
• Familiarity with regulated manufacturing environments (ITAR/EAR, AS9100, traceability, FAI reports, etc.)
• Background in mechanical engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, or industrial operations

Why should you join Vendra?

• We’re growing fast, and we’re a trusted manufacturing partner for companies like Anduril, Shield AI, Relativity Space, and K2 Space
• You’ll be shaping the sales and customer trajectory to build a category-defining company in manufacturing
• You’ll work in an environment where your contributions will have immediate, tangible impact on revenue and success
• You will have tremendous growth opportunities because we want our early hires to lead future organizations