Strategic Sourcing & Supply Chain Lead

Job Description

Job DescriptionStrategic Sourcing & Supply Chain Lead
About Frontline Wildfire DefenseAt Frontline Wildfire Defense, our mission is to protect homes, families, and communities from wildfire disasters. Our innovative wildfire defense system allows homeowners to track wildfires, receive critical alerts, and actively safeguard their properties using a remotely operated fire protection system. With multiple layers of redundancy, our system hydrates homes and surrounding areas to prevent ignition from flying embers—the #1 cause of structure loss during wildfires. We are a fast-growing team that has already achieved significant milestones in protecting homes across Northern and Southern California. We are a fast-growing, mission-driven team, and we’re seeking a Strategic Sourcing & Supply Chain Lead to design and manage a resilient, cost-effective hardware supply chain that scales with our growth.
About This OpportunityAs the Strategic Sourcing & Supply Chain Lead, You will own the hardware supply chain end-to-end—leading sourcing, supplier management, forecasting, cost control, quality, and New Product Introduction (NPI) programs. This role combines strategic sourcing leadership with hands-on planning execution for our Bill of Materials (BOM) purchases, including controllers, pumps, hydraulics, and sensor peripherals.
You’ll work closely with Procurement, Finance, Operations, and Engineering to ensure timely delivery, cost efficiency, and quality, while improving systems and processes for long-term scalability.
Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Build/manage supplier portfolio (ODM/CM/3PL); negotiate pricing, terms, and service levels.
• Oversee BOM purchasing; partner with Procurement for timely and cost-effective buys.
• Qualify, develop, and evaluate suppliers via audits, first-article approvals, scorecards, and QBRs.
• Drive second-source, cost-down, and risk-reduction strategies; navigate tariffs and cost variables.

Planning & Inventory Management

• Establish S&OP and forecast-to-purchase-order processes; set inventory policies.
• Translate demand into purchasing requirements; monitor material flow and optimize inventory.
• Manage ERP/MRP planning parameters (items, BOMs, change control, reorder points, safety stock).

NPI & Quality

• Partner with Engineering/Product to execute roadmap: pilot builds, readiness reviews, capacity/yield planning, testing, and change management.
• Lead supply chain quality: define inspection criteria, manage corrective actions (8D problem solving), track closure.
• Recommend rework vs. custom tooling with ROI and time-to-value cases.

Process Improvement & Reporting

• Identify and implement supply chain process and tool improvements.
• Define dashboards and track KPIs (on-time delivery, supplier defect rate, PPV/COGS vs. target, forecast accuracy, inventory turns).
• Provide actionable supply chain insights to leadership.

Logistics & Travel

• Oversee logistics and 3PL operations for kitting, labeling, shipping, and returns.
• Travel quarterly to Morgan Hill, CA, annually to Boston, MA, and occasionally to field sites.

QualificationsMust-Have:

• 6–10 years building/scaling hardware supply chains from prototype to production with external manufacturers/logistics partners.
• Degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Industrial/Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent.
• Background in construction, manufacturing, or solar.
• Proven supplier qualification and production ramp experience.
• Expertise in forecasting, capacity planning, inventory management, and S&OP.
• Hands-on ERP experience (NetSuite, Odoo, SAP) including BOMs, change control, planning parameters.
• Strong negotiation/cost modeling with a track record of improving cost, delivery, and quality.
• Excellent cross-functional communication, project leadership, and ownership mindset in fast-paced environments.

Nice-to-Have:

• Consumer electronics/IoT background (bonus for hydraulic/fluids experience).
• Inventory software implementation (e.g., QuickBooks → Sage).
• Familiarity with Zoho CRM.
• Startup supply chain build or scale experience.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $ 110,000 to $130,000 DOE + MBO + Stock Options
• Company-provided cell phone and laptop computer
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• 401(k) plan
• Flexible time off policy + 10 paid holidays per year
• Remote First work environment, fostering work-life balance and autonomy
• Join a passionate, mission-driven team making a real difference
• And much more!

Join Our Mission!If you're excited about building a world-class supply chain for technology that protects homes and families from wildfire disasters, we want to hear from you! Apply today and become part of a fast-growing team with purpose and innovation at its core.
Diversity and inclusion are essential values at Frontline. We know we'll do our best and most impactful work when we feel we're represented, and we belong. We encourage talented people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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