Global Supply Manager - Special Projects

Divergent is a technology company that has architected, invented, built, and commercialized an end-to-end factory system called the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS) that comprehensively uses machine learning to optimally engineer, additively manufacture, and flexibly assemble complex integrated vehicle structures and subsystems. Products created using DAPS are superior in performance, lower in cost, rapidly customizable to meet mission and customer-specific requirements, faster to market, and scalable on demand to high volume production. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs, and Divergent is now expanding to support mission critical needs in the Aerospace and Defense sector. Join us to be a part of this transformative journey, where your impact will shape the future of technology and production. Purpose The Global Supply Manager – Special Projects will be responsible for managing global supplier relationships, executing sourcing initiatives, and ensuring the supply of mission-critical components for special projects and programs. This role requires deep collaboration with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Program Management, and Finance to support an aggressive product development and production ramp roadmap. The GSM operates with considerable independent judgment, executing sourcing and supplier strategies aligned to departmental objectives, while ensuring that commercial decisions support engineering performance, total cost of ownership, and program timing. This individual will play a critical role in building a scalable procurement function that supports the company’s rapid growth and global expansion. The successful candidate will be both a strategic thought partner to functional leaders and a hands-on operator capable of driving sourcing initiatives, optimizing spend, and developing supplier partnerships that align with Divergent’s long-term objectives. The Role 1. Strategic Sourcing & Commodity Ownership Develop sourcing strategies for assigned categories, including:   ○ Components: Gas fluid handling and pneumatics, electrical and mechanical assemblies, motors, bearings, valves, COTS, etc.   ○ Material processing: machining, grinding, coatings, non-destructive testing (Visual, Ultrasonic, Radiographic), etc.   ○ Indirect: facility equipment, services, consumables, MRO Analyze global supply markets to identify capable suppliers for performance, cost, scalability, and risk Lead supplier selection process from RFx through sourcing award, including should-cost analysis, total landed cost modeling, and commercial/technical tradeoff recommendations Define and improve sourcing SOPs for assigned categories in partnership with Purchasing leadership May support development of multi-year commodity strategy and supplier roadmap for assigned categories (S5) Serve as category subject matter expert, advising cross-functional partners on supply market dynamics and risk exposure (S5) 2. Program Support & NPI Procurement Act as the sourcing lead for internal product development, supporting program platform milestones (concept through SOP) Translate project BOMs and schedules into actionable procurement plans across prototype, pilot, and production phases Support engineering in managing design iterations with suppliers and ensuring manufacturability and scalability Track and manage part readiness for critical build events Independently identify supply risks and implement mitigation plans to protect program timing Lead complex cross-functional readiness reviews for high-visibility build events (S5) 3. Supplier Management & Technical Collaboration Serve as the primary commercial interface for global suppliers; ensure accountability across pricing, lead time, quality, and risk Drive supplier development and qualification processes in collaboration with Quality and Engineering teams Work with suppliers on value engineering, lead time optimization, capacity ramp, and risk mitigation Manage long-lead items, sole-source suppliers, and supplier tooling with high rigor Lead structured supplier performance reviews and corrective action follow-up Influence executive-level supplier discussions related to capacity, long-term agreements, or strategic partnerships (S5) 4. Cost Management & Negotiation Build and maintain cost models for key components based on process knowledge, materials, labor, and margin benchmarks Conduct cost reduction initiatives, VA/VE sessions, and alternate source qualification efforts Lead negotiations on pricing, payment terms, tooling amortization, and IP protection Track actual vs. forecasted material costs; report on sourcing variances and mitigation plans Lead complex negotiations involving long-term agreements or capacity reservations with limited oversight (S5) Provide strategic cost modeling insights to support product-level or commodity-level margin improvement initiatives (S5) 5. Cross-Functional Integration Partner with:   ○ Hardware & Product Engineering: Support design-for-supply, technical feasibility reviews, and change management   ○ Manufacturing & Integration: Align sourcing with line build sequencing and materials flow   ○ Hardware Program Managers: Communicate part status against schedule, mitigate delivery risk   ○ Finance: Ensure procurement budgets and capital forecasts are aligned and reconciled   ○ Legal: Support supplier contract development, including MSAs, NDAs, and licensing/IP terms Act as a resource to peers and junior team members on sourcing best practices May inform cross-functional sourcing strategy discussions at the product or platform level (S5) Basic Qualifications Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls  Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related technical field; advanced technical degree or MBA is a plus 4+ years of experience in procurement, stra