Senior Sourcing Specialist (R5489)

• Own sourcing and procurement for mechanical commodities, including machined parts, sheet metal, welded assemblies, composites, fasteners, castings, forgings, and fabricated components supporting aerospace and defense programs.

• Identify, qualify, onboard, and manage suppliers that meet cost, quality, delivery, capacity, and technical requirements across prototype, development, and production builds.

• Lead RFQs, quotation evaluation, cost analysis, pricing and lead-time negotiations, purchase order execution, and long-term supplier agreements.

• Partner with Engineering to assess drawings, specifications, GD&T, manufacturability, and engineering changes, ensuring suppliers can deliver compliant hardware.

• Drive supplier performance across delivery, quality, responsiveness, and capacity; lead corrective actions and continuous-improvement efforts as needed.

• Support NPI and production readiness by managing material availability, supplier capacity, long-lead risks, FAI/PPAP activities, AS9100 compliance, and mitigation plans.

• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Supplier Quality, Planning, and Program Management to resolve supply issues, expedite critical hardware, maintain accurate ERP data, and identify cost, lead-time, and supplier-consolidation opportunities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related field; equivalent education and relevant experience considered.

• 5+ years of strategic sourcing, purchasing, or supply chain experience supporting mechanical commodities in aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.

• Experience sourcing mechanical commodities, including precision-machined components, sheet-metal fabrications, welded and structural assemblies, castings, forgings, fasteners, hardware, composites, and tubes and fittings.

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, bills of material, manufacturing specifications, and related technical documentation; working knowledge of CNC machining, welding, fabrication, finishing, heat treatment, plating, and assembly.

• Demonstrated ability to negotiate pricing, lead times, and commercial terms while balancing cost, quality, delivery, supplier qualification, AS9100, and First Article Inspection requirements.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills; proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Excel to manage multiple suppliers and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience supporting defense or aerospace programs.
• Familiarity with DFARS, FAR, ITAR, and export compliance requirements.
• Experience managing suppliers through engineering changes, new product introductions, and production ramp-ups.
• Knowledge of cost drivers for machining, fabrication, welding, composites, and structural manufacturing.
• APICS/ASCM, CPSM, or CPSD certification is a plus.
• Experience supporting both prototype and production environments with aggressive schedule requirements.