Global Supply Management, Lead, Direct Materials

Company Overview

Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow passengers over the congested city streets below, enabling you to spend more time with the people and places that matter most. Since 2009, our team has worked steadily to make this dream a reality. We’ve designed and tested many generations of prototype aircraft capable of serving in a network of electric air taxis. We’re looking for talented, committed individuals to join our team as we push onward toward certifying the Joby aircraft, scaling our manufacturing, and launching our initial commercial service.

Overview

Joby is looking for a Global Supply Management Lead, Direct Materials to own the sourcing strategy for the parts and systems that go into our aircraft. You will lead the strategy for our direct materials supply chain, build and develop a team of group managers and global supply managers, and partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Certification, Legal, and Finance so that Joby’s hardware can be built cost-effectively at scale, meet aerospace quality and regulatory standards, and arrive on time.

This is a high-impact, high-influence role in a fast-moving environment. You will be as comfortable in a technical design review for a new component as you are on the floor of a supplier’s factory, scaling production. You consider your team’s success your success, and you are excited to help them grow.

Responsibilities

• Lead the global sourcing strategy for direct materials across the full aircraft and its supporting systems, including propulsion, battery, avionics, structures, actuation, and electrical components

• Evaluate the current supplier portfolio and build a long-term strategy for each commodity and technology that supports Joby’s product roadmap and production ramp

• Lead supplier selection, qualification, negotiation, contracting, and performance management for strategic suppliers, and mentor the team through complex deals

• Negotiate and structure Master Supply Agreements, long-term agreements, IP development and licensing terms, capacity reservations, capex and tooling investment schedules, and custom SOWs

• Develop sourcing strategies for long-lead and capital-intensive items, including milestone-based payment structures, performance guarantees, warranties, liquidated damages, and change-order mechanisms

• Partner with Engineering from concept through mass production so that supplier capabilities, manufacturability, cost, and lead time inform design decisions

• Apply a repeatable playbook for new supplier market research, qualification, and industrialization across all hardware, aligned to stage gates from prototype through production

• Build bottoms-up cost models and drive cost-reduction roadmaps for critical components, current products, and next-generation aircraft

• Assess and mitigate long-term supply risk, particularly in regulated markets, through dual sourcing, capacity planning, continuity plans, and inventory strategies

• Recommend and execute a regional versus global supplier footprint that balances cost, resilience, logistics, and regulatory requirements.

• Work with Quality and Engineering to resolve significant technical, quality, schedule, and commercial issues at suppliers, including first article inspection and acceptance testing

• Establish supply chain metrics, governance, and a supplier scorecard methodology covering cost, quality, delivery, technology, and capacity, and give leadership clear visibility into performance and risk

• Build, coach, and develop a high-performing global team, and create lightweight, scalable processes with cross-functional partners

• Take an AI-forward approach and automate where possible to increase the team’s productivity

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Required

• A Bachelor’s degree in a technical field (Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering), Business Management, or Supply Chain Management is preferred. Equivalent practical experience in supply chain, manufacturing, military service, or consulting will also be considered

• 12+ years of experience developing and managing global supplier relationships and bringing complex hardware from concept to production, with hands-on experience identifying and qualifying suppliers of complex industrial or electromechanical parts. This is a strategic sourcing role, not a materials planning role

• 5+ years of directly managing global supply chain or sourcing teams

• Experience scaling products through development stages (prototype, EVT, DVT, PVT, and ramp to mass production)

• Deep experience negotiating and structuring MSAs, supply agreements, IP and licensing frameworks, schedules, warranties, performance guarantees, and commercial risk allocation

• Skill in bottoms-up cost modeling and experience-based knowledge of cost structures for electromechanical and complex machined, composite, or electronic commodities

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, datasheets, and supplier technical submittals, and to engage credibly with engineers on technical trade-offs

• Experience in a regulated or high-reliability environment (aerospace, defense, automotive, medical, or similar) with familiarity with quality systems such as AS9100 and supplier compliance requirements

• A track record of measurable improvements in cost, quality, capacity, and lead time

• Strong commercial judgment and the ability to lead complex, high-value negotiations and have hard conversations while preserving trust

• Ability to operate across many projects and teams at once, keeping the strategy in view while staying close enough to the work to resolve critical issues

• Strong executive communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills, plus proficiency with Excel and Google Workspace

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Desired

• Experience building or scaling supply chain capabilities at a high-growth aerospace, energy, EV, or hardware company

• Experience with battery, electric propulsion, or power electronics supply chains

• Experience with FAA or other airworthiness requirements, or with supply chain qualification in certified aircraft programs

• Experience supporting suppliers and projects across multiple international markets

• Advanced degree or professional certification in supply chain, procurement, engineering, or business

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $140,500 - $231,200 per year. The compensation package will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Joby also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with a company match, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.

Additional Information

Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer.