Supply Chain Manager

As a Supply Chain Manager at Kepler, you’ll be responsible for end-to-end ownership of procurement, supplier management, and material readiness across satellite programs.You will bridge the gap between engineering, program management, and external suppliers, ensuring that Kepler’s missions from prototype builds to constellation-scale production are supported by a robust, agile, and cost-effective supply chain.

At Kepler, the role goes beyond transactional procurement; it’s about strategic partnership, technical acumen and operational execution in a very fast-moving space environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Supply Chain Management and Procurement

• Play a key role in defining and implementing supply chain strategies to meet the needs of the Program

• Lead NPI activities for high complexity electromechanical components and assemblies from inception to production

• Lead supplier sourcing activities for internal product teams (IPTs) developing spacecraft subsystems and customer hardware

• Identify and manage supply chain risk including the development of contingency plans

• Optimize component and supplier selection through cost analysis, total cost of ownership, and make-or-buy evaluations

• Develop procurement plans by defining and implementing procurement strategies across products and programs

• Lead end-to-end procurement activity from sourcing to program delivery

• Identify and manage procurement risk including the development of contingency plans - i.e. supplier financial and/or schedule risk

• Gather bids & lead reviews with program leadership and key stakeholders

• Develop sourcing strategies aligned with technical product requirements

• Develop negotiation plans based on the needs of the business

• Lead supplier onboarding activities while maintaining and updating approved supplier lists (ASL)

• Optimize component and supplier selection, analyze equipment costs and drive savings

• Tactical buying purchase order generation for commodities, services and equipment

Supplier Management

• Lead supplier due diligence initiatives and onboarding

• Act as point of contactfor suppliers by confirming delivery schedules, resolving non-conformities and discrepancies, and escalating delays

• Contribute to maintaining supplier scorecards and department KPIs

• Drive supplier relationship management to ensure responsiveness and reliability

• Identify and mitigate supplier related technical and programmatic risks

• Support the Quality team to address supplier non-conformances, ensuring timely implementation and verification of corrective actions

Engineering Coordination

• Own assigned engineering work packages to maintain control of the costed bill of materials and enable smooth, timely supply delivery

• Influence design decisions by proactively identifying and advocating for feasible, cost-effective solutions

• Work upstream with the technical community to accelerate and de-risk procurement for long lead and EEE components

Production & Manufacturing Operations Coordination

• Lead Clear to Build reviews

• Coordinate BoM Readiness Reviews (BRR)

• Coordinate and support Manufacturing Readiness Reviews (MRR) and Test Readiness Reviews (TRR)

• Participate in production standups communicating expected delivery dates, delays and key updates

• Coordinate schedules and expected deliverables to operations groups

Continuous Improvement & Systems Development

• Support ERP system refinement and data accuracy to enhance visibility and decision-making

• Develop scalable processes & tools to support Kepler’s growth toward larger constellation production

• Identify automation or digitization opportunities for supply chain data collection activities

• Help drive implementation of inventory management system (IMS)

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Engineering or business administration

• 7+ years of experience in supply chain management, engineering or engineering adjacent roles

• Direct experience sourcing medium-to-high complexity electro-mechanical and electrical components and small/medium assemblies

• Experience with mechanical or electrical engineering concepts related to component procurement

• Understanding of manufacturing/fabrication process related to mechanical or electrical components (PCB/PCBA)

• Demonstrated willingness and ability to leverage AI-assisted engineering and development tools to improve productivity, design quality, and innovation while adapting to evolving technologies and best practices

• Experience with using ERP, Procurement or MRP systems

• Ability to assess sourcing, programmatic and technical risk associated with bringing a product from development to production

• Experience building automated & scalable reporting methodologies

Bonus Points:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or any other relevant degree

• NetSuite experience

• Previous work in space, aerospace, or a high complexity hardware industry

• Experience with CGP, ITAR, EAR, or Controlled Goods sourcing & procurement

• Experience building scalable & sustainable processes & tools

• Lean Six Sigma or PMP designation

• Experience reading and analyzing engineering drawings and 3D models

• Experience with supplier terms and conditions or master supplier agreements (MSA) covering pricing structures, lead times, warranty, quality standards, and delivery terms