Supply Chain Manager, Procurement & Logistics Operations

Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites in history. This constellation delivers an unprecedented dataset of empirical information via a revolutionary cloud-based platform to authoritative figures in commercial, environmental, and humanitarian sectors. We are both a space company and data company all rolled into one.

Customers and users across the globe use Planet's data to develop new technologies, drive revenue, power research, and solve our world’s toughest obstacles.

As we control every component of hardware design, manufacturing, data processing, and software engineering, our office is a truly inspiring mix of experts from a variety of domains.

We have a people-centric approach toward culture and community and we strive to iterate in a way that puts our team members first and prepares our company for growth. Join Planet and be a part of our mission to change the way people see the world.

Planet is a global company with employees working remotely world wide and joining us from offices in San Francisco, Washington DC, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and The Netherlands.

Planet is currently seeking a Supply Chain Manager, Procurement & Logistics Operations to join our team in Berlin, Germany. Planet is opening its first European satellite manufacturing site in Berlin, where we will build Pelican, our very high-resolution satellite. As the first dedicated supply chain leader on the ground, you will build and run the procurement and logistics engine that keeps the Berlin production line supplied: from purchase order to receipt, from customs clearance to the kit on the build floor. You will work closely with our San Francisco Supply Chain team and with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality and Finance, and you will help shape how a growing European operation sources, moves and stores flight hardware. If you enjoy building processes from the ground up, thrive in a fast-paced hardware environment and want your work to help put satellites into orbit, this is the role for you.

This is a full-time, in-office position based in our Berlin office 5 days per week.

• Own the purchase-order lifecycle for Berlin production, from requisition and PO placement through order acknowledgement, expediting and close-out, so material arrives on time for every build.
• Translate the Pelican build plan and BOM demand into purchasing actions, working with Material Planning to balance on-time supply against inventory investment as plans change.
• Manage day-to-day supplier performance across Europe and the US: on-time delivery, quality escapes, corrective actions and lead-time risk, escalating early with clear recovery plans.
• Partner with Strategic Sourcing to qualify and onboard European suppliers, localize supply where it makes sense, and execute long-term agreements.
• Build and run inbound, outbound and intercompany logistics between the US and Germany and across Europe, including freight-forwarder management, Incoterms and cost-effective routing of high-value, sensitive flight hardware.
• Own import and export execution for Germany: customs declarations, tariff (HS/CN) classification, duty optimization, and coordination with customs brokers and our US trade-compliance team.
• Ensure shipments comply with export-control requirements (EU Dual-Use Regulation, German export controls/BAFA, and US EAR/ITAR flow-down where applicable) and with dangerous-goods rules such as those for lithium batteries.
• Run Berlin procurement transactions in our business systems (NetSuite, Coupa, PLM) and keep master data clean and accurate.
• Define and report key metrics, including supplier on-time delivery, past-due and PO aging, inventory accuracy and logistics cost.
• Write SOPs and harmonize processes with the US team so both sites operate as one supply chain.
• Help hire and develop the Berlin supply chain team as we scale.

• 2+ years of experience in procurement, purchasing or logistics operations in a hardware manufacturing environment.
• 2+ years of supervisory/leadership experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Logistics or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Hands-on experience with German/EU customs and import/export processes, Incoterms and freight forwarders.
• Working knowledge of export-control and dangerous-goods regulations as they apply to shipping hardware.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP or purchasing systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Coupa) and strong spreadsheet skills (Excel or Google Sheets).
• Professional working proficiency in written and spoken English, the language of the company.

• Business-fluent German.
• Experience standing up a new site, warehouse or supply chain function from scratch.
• Experience procuring PCBAs, fabricated metal parts or electro-mechanical assemblies.
• Familiarity with the EU Dual-Use Regulation, BAFA licensing, or US ITAR/EAR.
• A professional certification such as APICS CSCP/CPIM, CIPS, or an IHK qualification in purchasing and logistics.
• Ability to work across time zones with a US-based team and to manage conflicting priorities with frequent context switching.

11:45p / 23:45 CET on the date stated below. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. This posting may be removed earlier than projected if a suitable pool of applications has been received. For this reason, we recommend applying as soon as you are able to.

Planet Labs Germany GmbH is authorized to receive U.S. export-controlled information at Planet under an export license issued by the Bureau of Industry and Security. This position requires access to U.S. and German/EU export-controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access all applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required by German, EU, or U.S. authorities.

Why we care so much about Belonging. 
We’re dedicated to helping the whole Planet, and to do that we must strive to represent all of it within each of our offices and on all of our teams. That’s why Planet is guided by an ultimate north star of Belonging—dreaming big as we approach our ongoing work.  If this job intrigues you, but you’re thinking you might not have all the qualifications, please... do apply!  At Planet, we are looking for well-rounded people from around the world who can contribute to more ways than just what is listed in this job description.  We don’t just fill positions, we aspire to fulfill people’s careers, most excited about folks who are motivated by our underlying humanitarian efforts.  We are a few orbits around the sun before we get to where we want to be, so we hope you’re excited to come along for the ride. 

EEO statement:
Planet is committed to building a community where everyone belongs and we invite people from all backgrounds to apply. Planet is an equal opportunity employer, and committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Know Your Rights.

Accommodations: 
Planet is an inclusive community and we know that everyone has their own needs. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation during the hiring process, please reach out to accommodations@planet.com or contact your recruiter with your request. Your message will be confidential and we will be happy to assist you.

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AI in Our Interviewing Process: Planet is committed to providing an exceptional interview experience for all candidates. We currently use Metaview to better focus on candidates and less on trying to capture notes. As such, with the candidate's consent, select interviews may be recorded and include a "Planet AI Notetaker" for transcription and summarization purposes. Should an interview involve use of AI interview technologies, the candidate will receive notification and have the ability to opt out both in advance and/or real-time. Opting out will not affect one's candidacy.

Candidate AI Policy: Planet embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, and we encourage its responsible use. We understand that candidates may use various resources, including AI tools, to prepare for interviews and assessments. However, during any live interview stage or when actively completing assessments for this position, the use of AI tools—e.g. Large Language Models (LLMs), deep fake technology, etc.—is strictly prohibited unless explicitly prompted by an interviewer or assessment instructions. If you are unsure about acceptable use, please contact your recruiter for clarification. If an AI tool or similar technology is desired as an accommodation, please contact accommodations@planet.com with your request for assistance. Your message will be confidential, and we will be happy to assist you. Violation of this policy may result in disqualification of your application.