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Whisper Aero is pioneering cleaner, quieter, and more efficient propulsion solutions for aircraft and air-moving products. The company was founded by industry veterans Mark Moore and Ian Villa and operates from Tennessee with a world-class team.
You will lead end-to-end procurement, supplier industrialization, and material planning for the electric propulsor product line. This role balances hands-on tactical purchasing with strategic supply architecture, serving as the commercial and operational link between engineering design and external manufacturing partners.
You will manage sourcing for flight-critical propulsion commodities including precision machined components, brushless electric motors, motor controllers/inverters, high-voltage battery modules, and specialized aerospace hardware. Working collaboratively with Quality, Engineering, Program Management, and Finance, you will establish long-term supplier agreements, secure material availability for engine assembly lines, and build the AS9100-compliant supply chain required to scale from initial development to serial production.
Key responsibilities include formulating and executing commodity sourcing strategies for propulsor platforms; leading supplier selection, competitive RFQs/RFPs, and negotiating comprehensive agreements (NDAs, MSAs, SOWs, LTAs); developing should-cost models covering tooling, NRE charges, raw materials, and tiered pricing. You will maintain ownership of Clear-to-Build tracking across prototype builds, qualification test articles, and flight-demonstration schedules. You'll execute the complete tactical procurement cycle: generating purchase orders, tracking supplier confirmations, expediting critical-path components, managing receiving workflows, and reconciling invoices with Finance.
You will collaborate with Program Management on Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (S&OP) processes, aligning material procurement with build rates and customer delivery commitments. You'll identify component lead-time risks and execute shortage recovery plans, partnering with Engineering on qualified alternative components or expedited logistics. Master data integrity within the ERP/MRP system—including item masters, multi-level Bills of Materials, standard lead times, MOQs, and safety stock parameters—falls under your ownership.
Supplier quality and aerospace compliance are critical: you'll partner with Quality and Design Engineering on Design for Manufacturability reviews, tooling qualification, and on-site capability audits. You'll establish and maintain the Approved External Providers List (AEPL/AVL) in strict AS9100D compliance, implement supplier performance metrics (on-time delivery, non-conformance reports, corrective action closure rates), and enforce quality requirement flow-downs including First Article Inspections (SAE AS9102), material test reports, heat-lot traceability, and counterfeit parts prevention (AS5553/AS6174). Strict adherence to U.S. export controls (ITAR and EAR) across all supplier technical data exchanges, purchase orders, and engineering drawings is mandatory.
You will coordinate domestic and international freight operations for propulsion components, tooling, and test equipment, managing LTL, FTL, and expedited air freight. You'll manage import/export compliance, customs clearance documentation, HTS classifications, and INCOTERMS 2020 terms. You'll manage dangerous goods transport and compliance protocols for high-voltage aerospace battery systems, ensuring compliance with UN38.3 and DOT hazardous material shipping regulations.
**Requirements:**
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, engineering, operations management, or 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 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 MSAs, tooling contracts, and LTAs
- Direct hands-on proficiency with modern ERP/MRP enterprise software (NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365, SAP, Oracle) and managing complex multi-level Bills of Materials
- 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 agile, fast-paced hardware development environment
- U.S. Person status (U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident) 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 (ASCM/APICS CPIM or CSCP, ISM CPSM) or Lean Six Sigma certification
- Prior supply chain or procurement experience within venture-backed aerospace startup, rapid prototyping facility, or advanced technology development group
