Vice President of Supply Chain

About the role

The Vice President of Supply Chain at Apex will own the end-to-end supply chain strategy and execution for the company's satellite bus manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for leading purchasing, strategic sourcing, supplier quality, materials planning, inventory management, warehousing, and logistics to meet aggressive production targets. The hire will establish the systems, processes, and supplier partnerships required to scale manufacturing while balancing cost, quality, delivery, and reliability. They will work directly with the CTO and executive leadership to ensure supply chain capabilities keep pace with rapid growth and evolving mission needs. Collaboration with Engineering, Manufacturing, Finance, and Program Management will be central to maintaining continuity and supporting new product introductions. The role involves identifying and mitigating supply chain risks, capacity constraints, and sourcing challenges across a global supplier base. Ultimately, this position will drive the operational excellence necessary to deliver mission-critical spacecraft hardware at scale.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead and scale Apex's supply chain organization across purchasing, strategic sourcing, supplier quality, materials planning, inventory management, warehousing, and logistics.
• Develop the long-term supply chain strategy to support manufacturing scale, new product introduction (NPI), and production readiness.
• Build and develop high-performing teams, organizational structures, and operational processes that enable rapid growth.
• Establish KPIs, reporting, and planning systems to improve supplier performance, inventory health, and operational efficiency.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, supplier selection, executive negotiations, and long-term supplier partnerships.
• Drive supplier quality, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure reliable delivery of mission-critical hardware.
• Oversee materials planning, demand forecasting, inventory strategy, and production support to ensure material availability and manufacturing continuity.
• Develop scalable logistics and warehousing strategies that improve material flow and support production and customer delivery schedules.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, capacity constraints, and sourcing challenges specific to complex hardware programs.
• Partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Program Management, and Finance to support production ramp, manufacturing scalability, and operational excellence.
• Drive continuous improvement across the supply chain through data-driven decision making, process optimization, and operational rigor.
• Evaluate and implement new supply chain tools, systems, and methodologies to enhance visibility and control across the network.
• Ensure alignment between supply chain activities and business objectives, supporting the company's mission to provide access to the galaxy beyond Earth.
• Maintain strong oversight of supplier performance, cost structures, and contract compliance to protect the company's interests and support long-term value creation.
• Contribute to the development of a best-in-class supply chain organization that reflects Apex's culture of innovation, accountability, and operational excellence.

Requirements

• U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export-controlled data.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Operations, or a related field. MBA or advanced technical degree is a plus.
• 10+ years of progressive supply chain leadership experience in complex manufacturing environments.
• 4+ years leading large-scale supply chain organizations at the Director or Vice President level.
• Experience leading purchasing, strategic sourcing, supplier quality, materials planning, inventory management, and logistics functions.
• Proven experience scaling supply chain organizations in high-growth manufacturing environments.
• Experience managing organizations of 40+ employees preferred.
• Strong background negotiating with global suppliers and managing complex hardware supply chains.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems, supply chain planning, forecasting, and analytics.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to operate strategically while remaining hands-on in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a demanding, mission-driven setting.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, supplier capabilities, and quality management principles.
• Commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, safety, and compliance in all supply chain activities.

Nice to have

• Experience in aerospace, satellite, defense, automotive, aviation, or other high-reliability manufacturing industries.
• Experience supporting vertically integrated manufacturing organizations.
• Experience scaling production from prototype through high-volume manufacturing.
• Familiarity with export control regulations and government contracting requirements.
• Passion for building world-class manufacturing organizations that enable the next generation of space systems.

Practical notes

This role is full-time and based in Los Angeles. U.S. Person status is required to access export-controlled data, and this position may involve working extended hours during critical production and launch support periods. Travel is not specified as a regular requirement, and no visa sponsorship information is provided. The compensation details are not included in this job description.