Materials Manager (R6373)

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai

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The Receiving & Incoming Inspection Lead oversees daily material receiving and incoming inspection activities, with direct supervisory responsibility for receiving associates and incoming inspection personnel. This role ensures purchased materials are accurately received, inspected against applicable requirements, and released to inventory or production in a timely manner.

The Lead combines hands-on operational support with team leadership, workload prioritization, employee development, and continuous improvement. The role partners closely with Supply Chain, Supplier Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Inventory Control to resolve discrepancies and prevent nonconforming material from reaching production.

What You'll Do: Team Leadership

• Directly supervise receiving associates and incoming inspectors, including daily assignments, scheduling, training, coaching, and performance evaluations.
• Establish clear expectations for safety, quality, productivity, accuracy, and professional conduct.
• Balance staffing and workload across receiving and inspection to support production priorities.
• Develop cross-training plans and maintain training records to ensure personnel are qualified for assigned tasks.
• Address performance issues promptly and support hiring, onboarding, and employee development.
• Receiving Operations
• Oversee receipt, identification, counting, and verification of purchased materials against purchase orders, packing slips, and required documentation.
• Ensure accurate and timely transactions in the ERP system, including part numbers, quantities, revisions, and lot or serial information where required.
• Resolve shortages, overages, shipping damage, incorrect parts, and documentation discrepancies with Procurement and suppliers.
• Maintain material identification, traceability, segregation, and handling controls throughout the receiving process.
• Coordinate movement of accepted material to inventory, kitting, or production.
• Incoming Inspection
• Execute incoming inspection activities according to approved inspection plans, drawings, specifications, purchase order requirements, and quality procedures.
• Ensure required supplier documentation is present and reviewed, including certificates of conformance, material certifications, test reports, and first article documentation when applicable.
• Verify inspectors use appropriate inspection methods and calibrated measurement equipment.
• Ensure suspected or confirmed nonconforming material is identified, documented, and quarantined pending authorized disposition.
• Partner with Supplier Quality and Engineering on inspection questions, supplier defects, containment, and material review activities.
• Ensure material is released only after required acceptance criteria and approvals are satisfied.
• Cross-Functional Execution & Improvement
• Lead daily reviews of receiving and inspection queues, aging material, shortages, and production-critical receipts.
• Escalate quality concerns and material constraints with clear ownership and required resolution dates.
• Improve receiving-to-stock cycle time without compromising inspection requirements or traceability.
• Standardize work instructions, visual controls, and transaction practices.
• Support supplier corrective actions by providing accurate defect records and inspection evidence.
• Maintain an organized, safe, and audit-ready work area.

What You'll Bring: Required Qualifications

• Experience in receiving, incoming inspection, inventory control, or manufacturing quality.
• Prior experience directly supervising hourly or technical personnel, including coaching, work assignment, and performance management.
• Ability to interpret purchase orders, engineering drawings, specifications, and inspection instructions.
• Experience using ERP systems for receiving, inventory transactions, and material status tracking.
• Working knowledge of inspection tools such as calipers, micrometers, gauges, and other applicable measurement equipment.
• Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and cross-functional communication.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, defense, robotics, or other complex hardware manufacturing.
• Familiarity with AS9100/ISO 9001 quality environments and AS9102 first article documentation.
• Experience with electronic assemblies, machined parts, composites, or electromechanical hardware.
• Familiarity with ESD controls, foreign object debris prevention, shelf-life controls, and lot/serial traceability.
• Experience supporting nonconformance management, material review boards, and supplier corrective actions.
• Full-time regular employee offer package: Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
• Temporary employee offer package: Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
• Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
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• Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.