Defense and Space Manufacturing

Director of Supply Chain

Jacksonville, FLOnsiteFull TimeDirectorPosted 1 month ago

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Required skills

supply chain strategy
strategic sourcing
subcontracts
cleanroom logistics
inventory management
procurement
defense compliance
ITAR
EAR
FAR

Nice to have

Master’s/MBA
R&D
production
flight deployments
CSCP
CPIM

Role summary

Star Catcher is seeking a Director of Supply Chain in Jacksonville, Florida, to lead their space energy grid initiative. This role involves architecting and executing supply chain strategy from prototype to production, building and mentoring a high-performing team, and optimizing systems like ERP/MRP. Responsibilities include strategic sourcing, subcontract negotiation, managing complex logistics (including cleanroom operations), ensuring defense compliance (ITAR/EAR, FAR/DFARS), and overseeing quality assurance (AS9100/ISO). The ideal candidate has a proven track record in aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing supply chain leadership, with experience in sourcing complex hardware and managing regulatory requirements.

Power the future of space at Star Catcher

Star Catcher is building the first energy grid in space to power the orbital economy.Today’s spacecraft must generate all of their own power, which caps what they can do and how long they can operate. But what if they could “plug” into a grid, the way buildings do on Earth? Instead of cables and outlets, Star Catcher is building the technology to wirelessly beam energy to spacecraft’s existing solar panels when and where they need it.Be an early member of a team building an entirely new energy infrastructure at scale to power the next frontier.

Star Catcher Industries, Inc. (Star Catcher) located in Jacksonville, Florida, is building the first power grid in space. We are seeking an energetic, highly organized, and proactive Director of Supply Chain to support our rapidly scaling team in Jacksonville, Florida. In this role, you will be the tactical and strategic engine across key supply chain functions—driving seamless strategic sourcing, structuring subcontracts, managing cleanroom logistics and inventory, enforcing defense compliance, and scaling everyday procurement efforts. As we expand into our new high-tech facility, you will ensure our hardware pipeline is supported by high-velocity, reliable, and compliant supply chain operations.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Supply Chain Strategy & Leadership

Strategic Roadmap: Architect and execute the overall supply chain strategy to support transition from early-stage prototype fabrication through Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) and high-rate hardware manufacturing.

Team Building: Build, mentor, and grow a high-performing supply chain function spanning procurement, subcontract management, inventory, and logistics.

Systems & Infrastructure: Identify, implement, or optimize ERP/MRP tools, vendor management systems, and BOM integration workflows in partnership with IT and Engineering.

Financial & Risk Management: Oversee procurement budgeting, supplier risk management, and long-term hardware spend forecasting.

Strategic Sourcing & Subcontracts

Supplier Development: Identify, qualify, and build strong relationships with domestic and international partners, machine shops, optical fabricators, and custom electronics manufacturers.

Contract Negotiation: Structure and negotiate subcontracts, Master Services Agreements (MSAs), pricing agreements, and strategic buffer inventory programs.

Risk Mitigation: Develop dual-sourcing strategies, capacity modeling, and risk frameworks to minimize single-point-of-failure risks across critical hardware components.

Defense Compliance, Regulatory & Quality Governance

Regulatory Compliance: Guide supply chain alignment with relevant export regulations (ITAR/EAR) and FAR/DFARS provisions (including Berry Amendment and cybersecurity flow-downs).

Quality & Auditing: Collaborate with Quality Assurance on AS9100/ISO standards, first-article inspections (FAI), counterfeit prevention, supplier audits, and corrective action processes.

Advanced Materials Management, Inventory & Logistics

Specialized Logistics: Oversee cleanroom receiving, specialized hardware handling, optical shipping/packaging protocols, customs clearing, and freight operations.

Inventory Control: Lead multi-site inventory oversight, kitting operations, safety stock strategies, and physical tracking of critical components and raw materials.

Cross-Functional Execution: Work closely with Systems, Avionics, Mechanical Engineering, and Program Management to resolve material bottlenecks and align supplier deliverables with specs.

Qualifications & Requirements

Core Qualifications

Background: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, Operations, or a related technical/field experience.

Experience: Track record of progressive supply chain, procurement, subcontracts, or hardware operations leadership within aerospace, defense, space systems, or high-tech advanced manufacturing environments.

Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, or build supply chain teams and processes in a fast-paced environment.

Regulatory Familiarity: Practical working knowledge of aerospace/defense regulatory considerations, such as FAR/DFARS clauses, ITAR/EAR guidelines, or flow-down requirements.

Technical Sourcing: Experience sourcing complex hardware components (such as precision optics, custom machined parts, PCBAs, or specialized raw materials).

Security & Export Control: Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident) due to ITAR/EAR export control compliance requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree (Master’s/MBA) in a technical or business discipline.

Experience scaling a hardware supply chain from early R&D through production or flight deployments.

Hands-on familiarity with ERP/MRP selection, implementation, or integration.

Exposure to AS9100 / ISO 9001 quality management environments.

Relevant industry certifications (e.g., CSCP, CPIM, CPSM) are a plus.

Help us deploy and scale space infrastructure that will drive our utilization of space forward! We offer a highly competitive benefits package including access to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, and paid parental leave, in addition to other benefits.

Star Catcher is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Star Catcher is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

All offers of employment at Star Catcher are contingent upon results of a thorough background check and your ability to provide proof of eligibility to work in the US.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

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