Manager of Global Supply Chain

Overview Lightship is the first American all-electric recreational vehicle manufacturer currently developing an aerodynamic, battery-powered trailer for the electric age. As the macro transition to an all-electric transportation ecosystem accelerates, Lightship is bringing the increased convenience and superior performance that electrification offers to a pastime enjoyed by over 11 million American families.

Honoring Diverse Perspectives Lightship is committed to hiring and developing top talent from diverse backgrounds. We believe representing and supporting diverse groups is key to the success of our team members, customers, shareholders and the achievement of our mission and vision. We operate in a collaborative environment with a flat organizational structure and expect a high degree of integrity, autonomy and creativity from all members of the team.

Responsibilities

Team Leadership

Manage, mentor, and develop a team of Procurement Specialists and supply chain contributors; set clear goals and expectations, deliver regular feedback, and build a high-performing, accountable team culture

Strategic Sourcing

Own commodity strategy and sourcing decisions across assigned categories, including custom-engineered and long-lead components; lead supplier selection, RFQs, and competitive bidding processes

Supplier Management

Build and maintain strong relationships with a global supplier base; lead business reviews, drive performance accountability on quality, delivery, and cost, and manage escalations to resolution

Contract Negotiation

Lead negotiation of piece price agreements, tooling contracts, general terms and conditions, NDAs, and other commercial agreements; ensure Lightship’s commercial interests are protected

Cross-Functional Partnership

Collaborate closely with Engineering, Program Management, and Finance to support new product introduction, design changes, cost targets, and phase gate milestones; serve as the supply chain voice in cross-functional program reviews

Cost Management

Identify and execute cost reduction opportunities; track and report supply chain spend against budget; own savings targets and present results to VP and executive leadership

Risk Management

Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks — single-source dependencies, geopolitical exposure, supplier financial health, tariff and trade impacts, and capacity constraints

Logistics Coordination

Oversee inbound freight and carrier relationships; ensure on-time delivery of materials to support production schedules; drive continuous improvement in freight cost and transit performance

Process & Systems

Build and enforce procurement process discipline across the team; ensure accurate and timely PO management, vendor master data, and inventory records in NetSuite ERP; drive adoption of tools and workflows that scale

Supplier Site Visits & Travel

Conduct regular supplier and partner site visits to assess capability, audit performance, and strengthen relationships; travel up to 25%

Minimum Qualifications 7+ years of supply chain or procurement experience, with at least 2 years in a people management role leading a team of 2 or more direct reports Demonstrated experience managing procurement of custom-engineered or manufactured components in a production environment — not purely commodity or indirect purchasing Proven track record of leading end-to-end supplier negotiations, including piece price, tooling, and commercial terms Working knowledge of ERP systems — specifically managing purchase orders, receipts, vendor records, and inventory in a manufacturing context Experience partnering directly with Engineering through product development and design change cycles, including BOM management and NPI activities Strong communicator with the ability to influence cross-functionally, present to senior leadership, and represent supply chain in executive-level discussions Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, resource-constrained startup environment where process must be built and not just followed

Preferred Qualifications

RV industry experience is a strong plus; automotive, aerospace, or adjacent custom manufacturing experience is helpful Familiarity with the Elkhart/Detroit supplier ecosystem and established relationships in the region Experience scaling a supply chain function from early-stage prototype through volume production Proficiency with NetSuite ERP; comfort with Jira, Confluence, and Google Workspace APICS CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent professional certification Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field

Equity Lightship compensation consists of the yearly salary above plus equity, which gives you a stake in the company.