At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in precision weapons and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Our team of engineers and innovators are developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions to deliver affordable and scalable precision weapons, interceptors, and UAS.
We're building the next generation of munitions and unmanned systems for the United States and its allies. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on defense technology, you belong here.
Role Summary
The Supply Chain Director owns the supply chain functions that keep production running and finished goods moving, including warehouse operations, receiving, inventory control, production scheduling, material flow to and from the line, outbound shipping (including returns), and domestic and international logistics. This role ensures that every site has the systems and discipline to get the right material and the right product to the right place at the right time.
The role is anchored in three outcomes: efficient material movement, accurate inventory, and reliable operational performance across every site it supports.
This role owns the operational backbone between Procurement and Production, translating purchased material into a reliable, visible, and well-organized flow that supports on-time, full-rate output.
The Supply Chain Director partners closely with the Procurement Director and Production leadership to ensure material availability never becomes the constraint on schedule.
What You'll Own
- Warehouse Operations, Receiving & Shipping
You are accountable for the physical flow of material in both directions between the dock and the line, and for finished goods moving out the door.
You will:
- Own receiving processes, including documentation, inspection coordination with Quality, and timely put away of incoming material
- Define warehouse layout, storage standards, and material handling practices that support efficient flow to production
- Own two-way material movement between the warehouse and the line, including line-side replenishment, return of unused or excess material to stock, and timely transactions so every move is reflected in inventory records
- Lead warehouse design and layout optimization, improving storage density, material flow, and labor efficiency as volume and site footprint scale
- Resolve receiving discrepancies (quantity, documentation, damage) in coordination with Procurement and Quality
- Maintain safety and organizational standards across all warehouse and stockroom areas
- Own shipping operations for finished goods, including packaging, documentation, carrier coordination, and on-time outbound shipment
- Manage returns processing and other inbound and outbound shipping requirements as they arise
Success looks like:
- Material moves to and from the line with minimal delay and no stockroom-driven line stoppages, and finished goods ship complete and on time
- Logistics & Trade
You are accountable for inbound and outbound freight, domestic and international, arriving and leaving on schedule with the right documentation.
You will:
- Own dock scheduling for receiving and shipping, balancing inbound appointments, outbound pickups, and dock labor to avoid congestion and idle time
- Manage carrier, freight forwarder, and third-party logistics (3PL) performance, including service levels, transit times, and freight cost, in partnership with Procurement
- Own international shipping and receiving, including Incoterms execution, import and export documentation, and coordination with customs brokers
- Ensure accurate and timely customs declarations, partnering with Trade Compliance and Legal on export classification and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) / Export Administration Regulations (EAR) requirements
Success looks like:
- Freight arrives and ships on schedule, clears customs without holds or penalties, and dock activity runs to a plan
- Inventory Control & Accuracy
You are accountable for knowing, at all times, what material we have and where it is.
You will:
- Own inventory accuracy programs, including cycle counting, physical inventory, and reconciliation processes
- Maintain inventory control systems (e.g., Kardex PowerPick or equivalent) to provide real-time visibility into stock status, with every material movement transacted so planning and buying decisions run on accurate data
- Manage quarantine, disposition, and stock sweep processes for rejected, recalled, or obsolete material
- Monitor the Government-Industry Data Exchange Program (GIDEP) and other industry data sources for part-level risk affecting inventory
- Ensure warehouse, receiving, and inventory practices meet AS9100 and other applicable quality and regulatory standards
Success looks like:
- Inventory counts are consistently accurate and audit-ready, with no unexplained variances, and inventory data Planning and Procurement can act on with confidence
- Production Scheduling & Material Flow
You own how material moves to support the production schedule, not just where it sits.
You will:
- Develop and maintain master production schedules in coordination with Program Management and Production
- Determine which end items and critical components are planned at the master schedule level versus driven by MRP or Kanban
- Design and manage Kanban and pull-based replenishment systems to support consistent material availability at the point of use
- Partner with Procurement to translate production schedules into material requirements and flag availability risk early
- Maintain line-of-balance visibility across active programs, including current operation, completed steps, and remaining steps for each unit
- Implement the company's Manufacturing Operating System (MOS) standards for material readiness, release discipline, and work center sequencing at the site level
Success looks like:
- Production has the material it needs when it needs it, without excess inventory or expedite firefighting
- Demand Planning & Program Support
You coordinate planning and material information flow across Production, Procurement, and Program Management.
You will:
- Partner with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Program Management to support demand planning and operational readiness
- Develop processes and procedures for project-level planning and data gathering
- Provide proactive visibility into at-risk components, by unit/serial number, with estimated completion dates for missing items
- Partner with the Procurement Director to establish vendor-managed inventory (VMI) and consignment programs, owning final approval of each program
- Lead supply chain support for New Product Introduction (NPI), helping establish production readiness and ensuring material readiness and inventory processes are in place as programs progress toward higher Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRL)
Success looks like:
- Programs have early, reliable visibility into material risk and can plan around it rather than react to it
- NPI and rapid ramps are fully supported without impacting existing production programs
- KPI Management & Continuous Improvement
You ensure that supply chain performance is measured, visible, and continuously improving.
You will:
- Establish and track KPIs for inventory turns, material availability, on-time-to-line performance, and inventory accuracy
- Drive continuous improvement and lean principles across warehouse, inventory, and scheduling functions
- Identify and resolve root causes of recurring material or inventory issues
Success looks like:
- Supply chain KPIs are stable or improving quarter over quarter, with issues caught before they affect production
- Team Leadership & Systems
You are responsible for building a supply chain organization that scales.
You will:
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing warehouse, inventory, and scheduling team with clear roles and development pathways
- Drive adoption and optimization of ERP and digital inventory/scheduling tools to improve visibility and decision-making
- Promote a culture of accuracy, discipline, and cross-functional collaboration
- Document and standardize warehouse, inventory, and scheduling practices so they can be stood up at new or franchise sites without rebuilding the system from scratch
- Lead best practice sharing across sites and franchise partners, building a common playbook and a regular cadence for lessons learned
Success looks like:
- The team operates with consistent process and discipline, independent of any one individual
Qualifications
Required Experience
- Proven experience leading warehouse, inventory, and production scheduling functions in a manufacturing environment
- Experience designing and running Kanban or other pull-based material flow systems
- Experience managing logistics, including dock scheduling, international shipping and receiving, and customs documentation
- Background in aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability industries preferred
- Demonstrated success building scalable inventory and scheduling processes, not just operating them
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, Business, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred
Technical & Operational Depth
- Deep understanding of:
- Inventory control, cycle counting, and warehouse management practices
- Material flow, scheduling, and planning discipline
- Kanban and pull-based replenishment systems
- Domestic and international logistics, including Incoterms and customs processes
- Experience with:
- ERP/MRP and warehouse management systems (e.g., Kardex PowerPick or equivalent)
- Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), including PICO MES or equivalent
- Quality systems aligned to AS9100 or equivalent
- GIDEP monitoring and part disposition processes
Leadership Profile
- Builds structure, clarity, and accountability across warehouse and scheduling functions
- Thinks in systems and root causes, not just daily firefighting
- Comfortable operating in high-growth, fast-paced production environments
- Partners effectively across Production, Procurement, Engineering, and Program Management, as well as with peer sites and franchise partners
What Success Looks Like
- Material availability consistently supports the production schedule without line stoppages
- Inventory counts are accurate and audit-ready at all times
- Kanban and scheduling systems scale predictably as production rates increase
- Programs have reliable, proactive visibility into material risk
- Freight moves on schedule and clears customs without holds or penalties
- NPI and rapid ramps are supported without disrupting existing production programs
Additional Information
- Primarily based in San Luis Obispo, CA, with travel to other facilities required approximately 30% of the time
Pay range for this role
$196,000 - $245,000 USD
What's in it for you:
Benefits:
- Competitive total compensation package
- Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.
- 401k with company-match
- 3 weeks of paid time off each year
- 40 hours of sick time
- 12 annual company holidays
Why Join Zone 5 Technologies?
- Innovative Environment: Work on cutting-edge technology that is shaping the future of defense and aerospace.
- Collaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
- Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
If you are passionate about unmanned aircraft technology and want to be a part of a dynamic and growing company, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and join the Zone 5 Technologies team!
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Zone 5 Technologies is a federal contractor and participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. As required by law, we will verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees using the E-Verify system. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify: https://www.e-verify.gov.
