Director, Supply Chain Operations

Every idea starts with a problem. Ours was simple: Boats are special — but they’re loud, pollutant, unreliable, and stuck in the past. Gas-powered boats dominate not because they’re great, but because no better option has existed. Until now.

Arc is here to change that. We’re building 100% electric boats from the ground up — quicker, quieter, easier to maintain, and better for the water they ride on. We’re not just swapping gas for batteries. We’re rethinking every detail on the boat — from propulsion and powertrain to software and ownership model — applying first-principles engineering from aerospace and EVs to deliver a better boating experience.

Electric boats haven’t taken over yet. The tech hasn’t been ready. The talent hasn’t been focused here. That’s our opportunity — and we’re moving fast.

We’re looking for a Director of Supply Chain who is fired up by our mission and ready to build the function end-to-end at a fast-scaling hardware startup. This is a hands-on leadership role. You’ll operate as both a strategic leader and a day-to-day operator — personally driving critical supplier decisions, building scalable systems, and developing a high-performing, lean team. You will be charged with ensuring Arc’s supply chain scales reliably as we ramp production across recreational (Sport, Coast) and commercial product lines.

This is a full-time, on-site role at our Los Angeles headquarters. You’ll report to our Head of Operations and work closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Finance as a key member of the Operations leadership team.

You should be comfortable going deep — negotiating key contracts, resolving supply issues in real time, and building processes from first principles — while also stepping back to design the system that enables the company to scale.

You’ll thrive here if you move quickly, take ownership without waiting for direction, and hold a high bar for both yourself and your team.

Supply Base & Strategy

• →Source and qualify suppliers across EV components and marine materials to meet cost, quality, and delivery targets
• →Lead supplier negotiations (pricing, terms, agreements) and manage ongoing performance (scorecards, reviews)
• →Build a resilient supply base (dual sourcing, lead time reduction, risk mitigation)
• →Drive make vs. buy decisions and align supply chain to product roadmaps across the business
• →Translating strategy into an operating model (roles, cadences, decision rights) 
• →Partnering with Engineering, Production and Finance to align assumptions and resolve cross-functional issues.

Planning, Inventory & Logistics

• →Own demand translation into procurement and inventory strategy, balancing lead times, MOQs, and working capital
• →Define and maintain inventory levels and warehouse operations (layout, systems, cycle counts)
• →Manage inbound logistics, carrier relationships, and freight cost/reliability

Execution, Systems & NPI

• →Own supply chain performance (OTD, inventory turns, forecast accuracy, supplier quality) and build the systems to support it
• →Ensure data integrity and reporting across ERP/MRP systems
• →Lead supply chain readiness for new products (sourcing, prototypes, risk assessment)
• →Lead the development and execution of supply chain risk mitigation strategies, including supplier diversification, business continuity planning, and real-time disruption monitoring, to ensure supply resilience and maintain on-time delivery performance across a  complex product portfolio.

Team Leadership

• →Build and lead a lean, high-performing team across procurement, planning, logistics, and warehouse
• →Hire and develop talent with a high bar for ownership and output
• →Establish clear structure and operating cadence as the team scales
• →Operate as a player-coach, going deep when needed while building team capability

• 8+ years of supply chain experience spanning procurement, planning, and/or logistics, with at least 4 years in a leadership role
• Experience sourcing and managing suppliers of complex electromechanical components (e.g., motors, power electronics, battery modules, or similar)
• Background in low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environments — startup or scale-up experience strongly preferred with a track record of building or significantly improving supply chain systems, processes, or teams
• Demonstrated ability to lead supplier contract negotiations, including terms, pricing, and SLAs
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and supply chain data management; comfort using data to drive decisions
• Proven ability to independently build and manage supply chain financial models, including inventory forecasting, purchase commitments, tariff exposure, and cash flow; able to provide clear, forward-looking visibility to leadership
• Strong ownership mindset — bias for action, accountability for outcomes, and willingness to go deep when needed

• Experience in the marine, EV, or adjacent high-performance hardware industries
• Familiarity with global inbound logistics and customs/import compliance
• Experience scaling a supply chain function through a production ramp
• Enthusiasm for boating and the water

At Arc, we encourage diversity and consider all qualified applicants equally for employment, regardless of background, identity, or status. You’re always welcome to reach out even if you don’t meet many of these qualifications. Passion and aptitude make up for a lot.

We move with urgency and build with care. We value these five things above all else:

• Ownership over both your work and the company’s success
• Empathy for colleagues and for customers
• Humility  in problem solving and collaboration
• Pragmatism for navigating ambiguity quickly and sensibly 
• Inclusion of different backgrounds, opinions, cultures, and perspectives.

We want people who share and embody these values. It is vital that our values align - we’d be happy to elaborate on any or all of these during the interview process.

Hope to hear from you soon!

The Crew at Arc