Head of Supply Chain

Teleo

Teleo

Operations

Palo Alto, CA, USA

Posted on Apr 30, 2026
Apply now

Teleo, a Havoc company, is a robotics company that transforms construction heavy equipment, including loaders, dozers, excavators, and trucks, into autonomous robots for commercial and defense applications. Our technology enables a single operator to supervise and control multiple machines simultaneously, delivering significant productivity gains while improving operator safety and comfort.

Teleo was founded by a team of experienced technology leaders who previously led the development of Lyft's Self-Driving Car program and Google Street View. Teleo recently announced its merger with Havoc AI, a fast-growing defense technology company developing coordinated fleets of autonomous maritime vessels.

This is a unique opportunity to join a team building technology with real-world impact. You will work on cutting-edge 100,000-pound autonomous robots and engineer complex systems at the intersection of hardware, software, robotics, and AI.

Role Overview

We’re looking for a hands-on, pragmatic Head of Supply Chain to build and lead our supply chain function during a high-growth phase.

This is not a “strategy-only” role. You’ll be deep in the details—fixing gaps, tightening execution, and bringing order to a complex hardware environment. Ideally, you’ve worked in a robotics or early-stage hardware startup and are comfortable operating where processes are still evolving.

You’ll work closely with Engineering, Operations, and external manufacturing partners to ensure we can deliver product on time, at cost, and at the right level of quality.

Key Responsibilities

    Supply Chain Leadership & Execution

    • Own end-to-end supply chain operations across ~1,000+ parts and multiple SKUs

    • Build and scale core processes for planning, sourcing, and fulfillment (ERP-driven where appropriate)

    • Bring discipline to inventory management, forecasting, and material planning

    • Improve visibility and reliability across the supply chain

      • Contract Manufacturing Management

      • Own the relationship with our contract manufacturer(s)

      • Drive execution on build schedules, quality, cost, and delivery commitments

      • Ensure strong alignment between internal priorities and external execution

        • Engineering Collaboration

        • Work closely with Engineering to ensure designs are manufacturable and supply-ready

        • Identify BOM risks early (cost, availability, lifecycle, lead time) and help resolve them

        • Support NPI and ECO processes in a way that keeps momentum without breaking things

          • Vendor & Sourcing Management

          • Build and maintain a reliable supplier base for complex mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic components

          • Negotiate pricing, lead times, and supply agreements

          • Reduce supply risk through smart sourcing strategies, including dual sourcing where needed

            • Inventory & Planning

            • Implement and manage inventory control systems appropriate for the stage and complexity

            • Balance working capital with production needs

            • Monitor and optimize lead times across the supply chain

              • Operational Problem Solving

              • Implement practical inventory control and planning systems appropriate for a fast-moving startup

              • Balance working capital constraints with production needs

              • Continuously reduce lead time variability and improve predictability

                • Cross-Functional Communication

                • Serve as a clear point of coordination across Engineering, Finance, and Leadership

                • Translate supply constraints into actionable tradeoffs

                • Keep teams aligned when priorities shift

Required Qualifications

    • 8–12+ years of experience in supply chain, operations, or manufacturing leadership

    • Proven experience managing contract manufacturers

    • Strong background in complex hardware products (hydraulics, metal, electronics, harnesses)

    • Demonstrated ability to work closely with Engineering teams to drive product readiness

    • Experience managing multiple SKUs and large BOMs (1,000+ parts)

    • Deep understanding of inventory management, MRP systems, and planning

    • Experience presenting and communicating effectively with executive leadership (C-suite or equivalent), translating operational detail into clear tradeoffs and recommendations

Key Traits for Success

    • Hands-on operator not afraid to dive into details

    • Proactive self-starter who identifies issues before they escalate

    • Strong communicator who can align technical and non-technical stakeholders

    • Resilient problem solver with real-world hard-earned experience from past challenges

    • Comfortable with ambiguity in a fast-moving startup environment

    • Structured but pragmatic, knows when to build a process and when to move fast

Nice to Have

    • Experience in early-stage robotics or autonomous systems companies

    • Exposure to high-mix, low-to-mid volume manufacturing

    • ERP/MRP implementation or optimization experience (NetSuite a plus)

    • Interest or experience in more AI-driven approaches to supply chain / ERP systems

Teleo is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. All qualified people are encouraged to apply.

190000 - 250000 USD a year

Apply now
See more open positions at Teleo