Supply Chain & Sourcing Manager
Whisper Aero
Salary undisclosed
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Description
Our Company
Whisper Aero is pioneering a more compelling and connected future by delivering cleaner, quieter, and more efficient propulsion solutions. Today's open rotor propulsion systems are challenged by safety, noise, and performance limitations at all scales. Whisper's breakthrough technologies allow aircraft to fly anywhere at any time without disturbing communities, at greater speeds, and with incredible improvements in efficiency and cost. Their innovations also enable a new generation of air moving products that can blend into the soundscapes of daily life. Whisper was founded by industry veterans, Mark Moore and Ian Villa, and continues to innovate a future that’s as considerate as it is compelling with its world-class team in Tennessee.
About the Role
Whisper Aero is seeking a driven, experienced Supply Chain & Sourcing Manager to lead end-to-end procurement, supplier industrialization, and material planning for our electric propulsor product line. In this role, you will balance hands-on tactical purchasing with strategic supply architecture, serving as the commercial and operational link between engineering design and external manufacturing partners.
Working collaboratively with Quality, Engineering, Program Management, and Finance, you will manage sourcing for flight-critical propulsion commodities: precision machined components, brushless electric motors, motor controllers/inverters, high-voltage battery modules, and specialized aerospace hardware. You will establish long-term supplier agreements, secure material availability for engine assembly lines, and build the AS9100 compliant supply chain required to scale production from initial development to serial production.
By maintaining a strategic focus on sourcing, you’ll ensure that the organization not only meets its immediate procurement needs but also positions itself for long-term success in the marketplace. This is a unique opportunity to shape the supply chain strategy for a product that is poised to disrupt the market.
What You’ll Do
Strategic Sourcing & Commercial Architecture
- Formulate and execute commodity sourcing strategies for our propulsor platforms, covering precision rotor blades, custom electric motors, power electronics/inverters, structural components, and wiring harnesses.
- Lead supplier selection, release competitive RFQs/RFPs, evaluate technical and commercial proposals, and negotiate comprehensive agreements, including Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Master Service Agreements (MSAs), Statements of Work (SOWs), and Long-Term Agreements (LTAs).
- Develop should-cost models covering precision tooling, non-recurring engineering (NRE) charges, raw materials, and tiered piece prices to meet program cost targets.
Production Planning, Material Control & Tactical Execution
- Maintain ownership of Clear-to-Build (CTB) tracking across prototype builds, qualification test articles, ground durability testing, and flight-demonstration engine schedules.
- Execute the complete tactical procurement cycle: generating purchase orders (POs), tracking supplier confirmations, expediting critical-path components, managing receiving workflows, and reconciling invoices with Finance.
- Collaborate with Program Management to implement Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP/S&OP) processes, aligning material procurement plans with eQ250 build rates and customer delivery commitments.
- Identify component lead-time risks and execute shortage recovery plans, partnering with Engineering to identify qualified alternative components or arranging expedited logistics to protect program schedules.
- Maintain master data integrity within the company’s ERP/MRP system, including item masters, multi-level Bills of Materials (BOM), standard lead times, order minimums (MOQs), and safety stock parameters.
Supplier Quality, Industrialization & Aerospace Compliance
- Partner with Quality and Design Engineering to assess supplier manufacturing readiness through Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews, tooling qualification, and on-site capability audits.
- Establish, evaluate, and maintain the Approved External Providers List (AEPL/AVL) in strict compliance with AS9100D quality standards.
- Implement supplier performance metrics, monitoring monthly on-time delivery (OTD), supplier non-conformance reports (SNCR), and corrective action request (SCAR) closure rates.
- Enforce quality requirement flow-downs across all purchasing documents, including, but not limited to, First Article Inspections (SAE AS9102), material test reports, heat-lot traceability, and counterfeit parts prevention protocols (AS5553/AS6174).
- Ensure strict adherence to U.S. export controls (ITAR and EAR) across all supplier technical data exchanges, purchase orders, and engineering drawings.
Logistics & Aerospace Material Movement
- Coordinate domestic and international freight operations for propulsion components, tooling, and test equipment, managing Less-Than-Truckload (LTL), Full-Truckload (FTL), and expedited air freight.
- Manage import/export compliance, customs clearance documentation, Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classifications, and INCOTERMS 2020 terms.
- Manage dangerous goods transport and compliance protocols for high-voltage aerospace battery systems, ensuring compliance with UN38.3 and Department of Transportation (DOT) hazardous material shipping regulations.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, engineering, operations management, or a related technical field.
- 5+ years of progressive professional experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management within aerospace, defense, aviation propulsion, electric vehicle powertrains, or high-reliability electromechanical hardware.
- Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end sourcing for complex hardware programs through a complete product lifecycle from early engineering development through tooling qualification to flight testing or serial production.
- Proven track record of negotiating commercial supplier agreements, including Master Service Agreements (MSAs), tooling contracts, and Long-Term Agreements (LTAs).
- Direct hands-on proficiency with modern ERP/MRP enterprise software (e.g., NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365, SAP, Oracle) and managing complex, multi-level Bills of Materials (BOM).
- Solid operational knowledge of INCOTERMS 2020, domestic freight management, and aerospace logistics execution.
- Demonstrated ability to balance hands-on tactical purchasing duties with strategic sourcing and capacity planning in an agile, fast-paced hardware development environment.
- U.S. Person status (U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident) is strictly required due to access to export-controlled defense technical data governed by ITAR and EAR.
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct sourcing experience with electric propulsion commodities: high-power brushless DC electric motors, motor inverters/controllers, precision rotating assemblies, composite structures, or high-voltage aerospace battery packs.
- Working knowledge of aerospace quality management systems (AS9100D), SAE AS9102 First Article Inspection reports, and formal supplier auditing processes.
- Familiarity with civil and defense aerospace certification pathways, airworthiness processes (FAA Part 23/33 or MOSAIC rules), or military standard hardware specifications.
- Professional supply chain or operations certification (e.g., ASCM/APICS CPIM or CSCP, ISM CPSM) or Lean Six Sigma certification.
- Prior supply chain or procurement experience within a venture-backed aerospace startup, rapid prototyping facility, or advanced technology development group.
Benefits:
- Top-tier Benefits: Employee-first focused comprehensive benefits package, minimum of 90% employer-paid plans for employees and dependents with optional HSA/FSA account offerings
- PTO & Federal Holidays: Starting at four weeks of paid time off for vacation, sick, and personal days
- Competitive Salary: Value-based compensation, plus enjoy Tennessee’s no-income-tax life
- End of Year Bonuses: For eligible employees
- We always have beverages and snacks available to energize you throughout the day, with paid team meals based on office demands.
- 401(k)
- Relocation Assistance
- Professional Development Stipend
Whisper Aero is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Whisper Aero also participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
Benefits
- 401(k)
- paid time off
- professional development
About this role
Whisper Aero is building the next generation of electric propulsion systems, and this role puts you at the center of scaling that technology from prototype to production. As Supply Chain & Sourcing Manager, you'll own procurement strategy and tactical execution across flight-critical commodities—precision motors, power electronics, battery modules, and aerospace hardware—while building an AS9100-compliant supply chain that can grow with the company's ambitions. You'll balance hands-on purchasing (purchase orders, expediting, invoice reconciliation) with strategic work: developing should-cost models, negotiating supplier agreements, and establishing long-term sourcing architecture that positions Whisper for market disruption.
The scope is genuinely broad. You'll manage supplier selection and qualification, maintain Bills of Materials and master data in the ERP system, coordinate domestic and international logistics including hazmat compliance for high-voltage batteries, and enforce aerospace quality standards across all external partners. Working across Quality, Engineering, Program Management, and Finance, you'll track material availability for engine assembly lines, identify and resolve lead-time risks, and keep Clear-to-Build schedules on track through prototype, test, and flight-demonstration phases.
This demands someone with 5+ years in strategic sourcing or supply chain within aerospace, defense, propulsion, or high-reliability electromechanical sectors—ideally with hands-on experience shepherding complex hardware from early development through production qualification. You'll need fluency in ITAR/EAR export controls, AS9100 compliance, and the mechanics of RFQs, MSAs, and supplier performance metrics. A bachelor's degree in supply chain, engineering, or operations is required. The role is full-time and in-office in Nashville.
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