Supply Chain Planning Lead

Job Title: Supply Chain Planning Lead Location: San Diego, CA – Bay Park Area Position Type: Full-time Reports To: Director, Strategic Partnerships

Position Overview: South 8 is hiring its first Supply Chain Planning Lead to own and execute the material plan that keeps battery cell production running across multiple integrated sites. This person will translate production schedules into supplier forecasts and purchase orders, and make sure the right components are at the right site in the right quantities on time. This is a hands-on role at a company where the planning processes are still being built; the role will be responsible for running today's models and making them better as volume grows. The ideal candidate will have experience in material planning at early stage manufacturing operations, and will be comfortable working with supply chain, manufacturing, engineering, and finance teams in cross-functional settings.

Key Responsibilities: Production and material planning:

• Build and maintain material requirements plans for South 8 and contract manufacturers based on aligned production schedules, bills of materials, lead times, and forecasted inventories at each site. Improve these models over time.
• Update and publish production and material/component procurement forecast models on a set cadence and whenever schedules, yields or build requirements change.
• Manage inventory tracking and reconciliation at contract manufacturers and internal sites; report on inventory levels, shortages, and material spend.
• Identify and clearly communicate inventory, procurement, or other risks that could disrupt production plans.
• Work with program management and company leadership to maintain long term planning models and company roadmap.
• Support the development and implementation of new processes and tools, including ERP or MRP systems, as South 8 scales production volumes.

Purchasing and supplier management:

• Create and release to suppliers binding material and component procurement forecasts that deliver South 8’s operational needs and minimize costs.
• Place and manage purchase orders for cell components, electrolyte raw materials, and production consumables.
• Set and maintain safety stock and reorder points for critical and long-lead materials.
• Track supplier on-time delivery and quality issues, taking action to adjust planning as necessary and mitigate supply issues that would impact production plans
• Support international part and material logistics, including document preparation, transport, and customs clearance.

Qualifications: Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, operations, engineering, business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years in material planning, production planning or purchasing in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience building forecasts and material requirements plans from production schedules and BOMs.
• Advanced Excel or Google Sheets skills; you can build a model others can use.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. You can identify and explain problems, changes, and tradeoffs.
• Comfort with ambiguity and changing priorities in a small, fast-moving team.

Preferred:

• Experience at a startup or in early-stage manufacturing.
• Experience managing consigned inventory or working with contract manufacturers, especially overseas.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems (example Sage, Netsuite, SAP); experience implementing one a plus.
• Willingness to deliver epic high fives

What We Offer:

• Opportunity to be the first Planning Lead and shape the function at a fast-growing Series A company.
• Work directly with operations, manufacturing, and leadership, with real ownership from day one.
• Competitive salary, equity, and benefits package.
• Collaborative culture that values innovation, initiative, and customer success.

At the time of posting, the expected starting salary range for this role is $95,000 - $120,000 annually. The actual pay depends on multiple individualized factors, including education, job-related knowledge, experience, and skills, which will be assessed during the interview process. The comprehensive compensation package for this position may also include other elements, such as health benefits, 401k, and company stock options. The base pay range and package is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

About South 8: South 8 Technologies, Inc. is a fast-growing, well-funded battery company backed by leading global organizations. We have developed a groundbreaking new Liquefied Gas Electrolyte chemistry for next-generation lithium batteries. Our proprietary technology enables a significant increase in energy density, improved safety, and an exceptionally wide operational temperature range. By leveraging conventional materials and established manufacturing processes, South 8 Technologies offers a unique, scalable solution for a variety of defense, e-mobility, energy storage, and industrial applications. Founded in 2015 and spun out of UC San Diego’s Jacobs School of Engineering, South 8 Technologies is a diverse and dynamic team that values integrity, innovation, and hard work in an environment that encourages creative problem-solving, collaboration, and constructive feedback. Become a critical member of our team and grow alongside us as we redefine the energy landscape. Our company is based in the Bay Park area of San Diego, CA.