Senior Supply Chain Manager (m/f/d)

About surge aero GmbH

surge aero GmbH develops high-performance two-stroke engines and UAV platforms for the European market. We are currently establishing our manufacturing operations with the goal of transitioning towards serial production.

As a growing startup, we are looking for an experienced, proactive, and hands-on Supply Chain Manager to take ownership of procurement, develop a reliable supplier network, and establish scalable supply chain processes to support our future manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Procurement & Strategic Sourcing

• Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers for mechanical components, precision parts, assemblies, electronics, and other production materials.
• Request and compare quotations, negotiate pricing, commercial terms, and supplier contracts.
• Establish and manage framework agreements and long-term supplier relationships.
• Manage operational purchasing activities, including purchase orders, delivery schedules, and material availability.
• Develop sourcing strategies to optimize costs, quality, and supply security.

2. Supplier Management & Outsourcing

• Build and develop a reliable network of national and international suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Evaluate suppliers based on cost, delivery performance, manufacturing capacity, and reliability.
• Develop make-or-buy strategies and identify opportunities for outsourcing component manufacturing and subassembly operations.
• Identify, evaluate, and manage suitable external manufacturing and assembly partners.
• Collaborate closely with our Quality Engineer on supplier qualification, supplier development, and supplier audits.

3. Material Planning & Supply Chain Management

• Develop procurement and inventory strategies to support the transition towards serial production.
• Perform ABC/XYZ analyses, considering component criticality and supply risks.
• Evaluate and implement suitable material supply concepts, such as Kanban, safety stocks, and supplier-managed inventory.
• Ensure material availability while maintaining efficient inventory levels and controlling working capital.
• Identify and mitigate supply risks, shortages, and potential bottlenecks.
• Coordinate material requirements with Engineering, Production, and Production Logistics.

4. ERP Implementation & Process Development

• Actively contribute to the selection and implementation of an ERP system, such as Epicor, proALPHA, Infor, or comparable solutions.
• Define and establish procurement, supplier management, inventory, and material planning processes.
• Support the development of article and supplier master data, bills of materials (BOMs), and ERP-based material requirements planning (MRP).
• Develop, document, and continuously improve efficient and scalable supply chain processes.
• Support the establishment of auditable procurement and supplier management processes as part of future certification activities.

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Work closely with Engineering, Production, Quality, and Finance.
• Support manufacturing ramp-up and the transition towards serial production.
• Establish and monitor relevant KPIs for procurement costs, supplier performance, and material availability.
• Identify and implement opportunities for cost reduction and process improvement.

Requirements

• Degree or vocational qualification in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Several years of experience in industrial procurement, supply chain management, or supplier management within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience sourcing mechanical components, precision parts, and technical assemblies.
• Strong negotiation skills and experience with supplier contracts and commercial agreements.
• Good understanding of manufacturing processes, technical drawings, and bills of materials.
• Knowledge of material requirements planning, inventory management, and procurement strategies.
• Practical experience with ERP/MRP systems and a solid understanding of business process development and implementation.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Independent, structured, and hands-on working style, with the ability to take ownership in a dynamic startup environment.
• Good command of German and English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in engine manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, UAVs, motorsports, or precision engineering.
• Experience building or scaling supply chains for industrial serial production.
• Familiarity with make-or-buy decisions, outsourcing, and external manufacturing partners.
• Previous involvement in ERP implementation or procurement process development.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 or EN/AS 9100 and experience with supplier qualification and auditable processes.

What We Offer

• A key role with significant responsibility and the opportunity to shape our supply chain from the ground up.
• Direct involvement in establishing our manufacturing operations and supporting the transition towards serial production.
• The opportunity to contribute to ERP implementation and the development of company-wide processes.
• Close collaboration with Engineering, Production, Quality, and company leadership.
• A dynamic, international, and technically driven startup environment with short decision-making processes.
• Long-term development opportunities and competitive compensation based on experience.