Global Supplier Manager Lead, Airframe

Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a mission to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. We are designing, manufacturing, and operating an all-electric aircraft that can carry four passengers while producing minimal noise.

Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.

The Global Supplier Manager Lead is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day tactical execution and performance management of airframe structure and composite suppliers on a global scale. With a focus on operational continuity, supplier readiness, and issue resolution, this role ensures that suppliers deliver to schedule, meet quality expectations, and support production requirements.

What you’ll do:

• Oversee daily supplier operations for key airframe structures and composites, ensuring on-time delivery, quality performance, and responsiveness.
• Act as the primary point of escalation for supply disruptions, delivery delays, or production risks.
• Lead short-term tactical recovery plans with suppliers during constraint or disruption scenarios.
• Provide guidance, support, and direction to one direct report managing day-to-day supplier activities.
• Foster collaboration and consistency in supplier management practices.
• Support Industrialization team validating suppliers production readiness, capacity, and material availability for upcoming build schedules.
• Track and drive execution of engineering change implementation (cut-in timing, obsolete inventory, etc.).
• Own and maintain supplier scorecards (delivery, quality, responsiveness).
• Lead monthly or quarterly supplier performance reviews with internal stakeholders and the supplier.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives with underperforming suppliers.
• Partner closely with planning, production, quality, CSM, SQD and logistics to align priorities and remove barriers to supplier execution.
• Communicate supplier status and recovery plans to leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate with Quality and Engineering teams to address part non-conformances and ensure supplier corrective actions are implemented effectively.
• Support supplier audits, RCCA tracking, and quality improvement initiatives when needed.
• Ensure accurate maintenance of supplier data (e.g., lead times, commit dates, PO status) within ERP and reporting systems.
• Support AOG team.

What you need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Maintenance, Aerospace Engineering, Business Management, Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing or Operations or a related field (preferred).
• 5–8+ years of experience in supplier management, supply chain, or operations within aerospace or manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of composites and metallic airframe structures.
• Hands-on experience with ERP/MRP systems (SAP preferred).
• Proven ability to lead supplier escalations and recovery plans.
• People leadership or mentoring experience.
• Working knowledge of quality standards (AS9100) is a plus.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• APICS Certification
• Knowledge of lean maintenance practices and continuous improvement methodologies

Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications.

At Archer we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company’s business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $101,760 - $127,000. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Archer is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with physical or mental disabilities, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants who may require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should provide their name and contact information to Archer’s People Team at people@archer.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.

Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.

Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to People@archer.com. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.