Supply Chain Program Manager

About the Role The Supply Chain Program Manager is a critical cross-functional role responsible for owning end-to-end supply chain execution across assigned programs and product builds at Wayve. This includes prototype development, new product introduction (NPI), and supporting fleet launches. This role serves as the primary Supply Chain lead ensuring meeting program deliverables, supplier compliance, and seamless coordination across Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, and external partners. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-moving, hardware-driven environment and brings both strategic thinking and hands-on execution capability. The role works cross-functionally with Engineering, Planning, Sourcing, Logistics, Finance, Legal, and Suppliers, and partners closely with global upfitters and third-party integration partners (spanning the US, UK, and other regions) to ensure vehicle and program timelines are met. Key Responsibilities Program Ownership & Cross-Functional Coordination Act as the primary Supply Chain lead for assigned programs or internal product builds (e.g., prototypes, new product introduction, subassembly). Own end-to-end material readiness to support program milestones across R&D, Engineering, Operations, and Manufacturing. Collaborate closely with Engineering, Planning, Sourcing, Logistics, Finance, and Suppliers to align supply chain activities with program timelines. Act as the strategic liaison between hardware engineering and the procurement teams, managing demand aggregation. Material Planning & Readiness Translate engineering BOMs and aggregate Technical Program Manager demand into procurement plans Identify long-lead items and critical path components early in the product lifecycle. Track material status through build phases and escalate gaps or risks proactively. Compliance & Risk Management Collaborating with Supply Chain Team Leads to ensure direct purchasing, indirect purchasing, and logistics suppliers are meeting compliance requirements, including legal, environmental, regulatory (e.g., TISAX, ISO), and ethical sourcing standards. Partner with legal and compliance teams to ensure appropriate supplier agreements, NDAs, and risk controls are in place. Develop contingency plans for supply disruptions and actively manage supply chain risks. Program Managing Upfitter / Partner Serve as the primary program manager for upfitter and partner relationships, ensuring alignment across all stakeholders. Drive upfitter/partner activities to ensure vehicles meet overall program timelines and quality standards. Proactively identify and resolve issues impacting vehicle build readiness, coordinating between internal teams and external partners. Maintain clear communication cadence with upfitters and stakeholders, tracking milestones and escalating risks as needed. Supply Chain KPI Management Define, track, and report on key supply chain performance metrics including, material availability, total cost saving, inventory cycle count