Manager, Supply Chain Operations

Why this role is exciting

As our Supply Chain Operations Manager, you'll own the supply chain engine behind Vay's commercial fleet scale-up. From Tier-1 supplier negotiations and BOM cost-out to international logistics, customs, warehouse operations, and production readiness, you'll make sure our vehicles and Remote Driving Stations keep moving. This is a high-autonomy, hands-on leadership role where you'll lead Procurement and Warehouse & Logistics, partner directly with Engineering, Production, Finance, and Fleet teams, and report to the VP Engineering Operations.

What you'll be driving

You'll lead the end-to-end supply chain operation that keeps Vay's hardware, vehicles, and Remote Driving Stations ready for scale.

• Lead the Supply Chain Operations team across Procurement and Warehouse & Logistics, setting clear ownership, OKRs, cadences, and team structure.
• Own strategic sourcing, supplier selection, qualification, negotiations, and performance management across ECUs, semiconductors, computers, sensors, connectivity hardware, harnesses, cabling, mechanical parts, and PCBA.
• Drive cost-out programs, dual-sourcing strategy, and supplier localization across Europe, the US, and Asia.
• Translate fleet expansion plans into procurement, capacity, inventory, and supply plans, while maintaining a flexible BOM cost overview per configuration.
• Own procurement and inbounding for vehicle and Remote Driving Station BOMs across rolling production builds and SOPs, ensuring production readiness against company-level commitments.
• Lead inbound and outbound logistics, customs, import/export, warehouse operations, safety stock policy, and landed cost transparency.
• Improve the operating system behind the function: ERP flows, PO lifecycle, stock accuracy, ETAs, invoice matching, inbounding, warehouse digitalization, and handoffs across the chain.
• Partner closely with Engineering, Pre-Series Production, City Fleet Maintenance, and Finance, including monthly Budget-vs-Actuals reviews and landed cost targets.

What are we looking for

We're looking for someone who has scaled complex hardware supply chains before, who is just as comfortable in the ERP, warehouse, and supplier call as they are in a finance review.

• 7-10+ years in supply chain, procurement, or operations within hardware, automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, robotics, EV/mobility, defense, or another complex hardware environment.
• 2-3+ years leading teams, with a strong track record of building structure, ownership, and operational rhythm.
• Proven experience improving a hardware supply chain at volume, making existing processes measurably better across quality, speed, cost, and reliability.
• Deep experience across strategic procurement, supplier negotiations, demand and supply planning, inventory management, international logistics, and customs across US, EU, and Asia.
• Strong analytical and cost-modeling skills, with a clear negotiation track record and measurable savings.
• Hands-on operating style: comfortable working daily in an ERP, reading BOMs, chasing freight forwarders, walking a warehouse, and solving issues directly.
• Excellent stakeholder management with Engineering, Finance, Production, and Fleet teams, with the confidence to say no, escalate clearly, and own trade-offs.
• Fluent English and willingness to work onsite in Berlin, with occasional supplier visits and roughly one trip per quarter to Vay sites.

Experience with Odoo is a strong plus, as it's our ERP and a core part of this role. Familiarity with Superset and Jira would also be helpful. Startup or scale-up experience is strongly preferred - we move fast, the function is still maturing, and this role needs someone who can bring structure without creating bureaucracy.

Why choose Vay

A global team of smart, motivated people from 30+ countries who love tackling hard problems and turning bold ideas into reality

Huge scope for impact in a fast paced environment

ESOP stock options: A stake in Vay's future - not just a salary

Unlimited Paid Vacation Days

Subsidised Deutschland ticket (Berlin)

Subsidised Urban Sports Club or FitX Membership

All Vay team members receive 30% off their Vay rides

Exclusive external discounts

350 Home Office Set-up

Relocation financial assistance when relocating to Berlin

Fully funded German Lessons

Regular team events throughout the year