Strategic Sourcing Manager - Mechanical (R5858)

The role

This role leads sourcing strategy for critical mechanical parts, including airframe structures, precision-machined components, landing gear, and propulsion hardware. The manager selects and manages suppliers, runs competitive sourcing and negotiations, and works with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality and Program Management.

What you will do

• Lead strategic sourcing of airframe structures, precision-machined components, landing gear and propulsion hardware.
• Develop commodity strategies for prototype, development, qualification and production needs.
• Select, qualify, onboard and manage suppliers for mission-critical components.
• Run competitive sourcing, RFQs, proposal analysis, supplier negotiations and contract execution.
• Negotiate price, lead times, payment terms, IP provisions, capacity commitments and long-term agreements.
• Work with Engineering on drawings, specifications, GD&T, bills of material and engineering changes.
• Perform cost and price analysis using supplier cost breakdowns, market data and should-cost models.
• Manage supplier performance and lead recovery plans and executive-level supplier reviews.
• Support new product introduction and production ramp-up.
• Identify long-lead materials, sole-source dependencies and supply risks, and build mitigation plans.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations or a related field, or equivalent education and experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier management or supply chain management in aerospace, defense or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex sourcing and independently managing critical suppliers or major aircraft systems.
• Experience sourcing one or more of: airframe and structural assemblies, metallic and composite structures, precision-machined components, landing gear, engines and propulsion systems, engine mounts, c
• Understanding of manufacturing processes such as CNC machining, structural fabrication, composites, casting, forging, welding, heat treatment, plating, coating and assembly.
• Experience with supplier negotiations, cost and price analysis, proposal evaluation and source selection.
• Ability to negotiate complex commercial agreements balancing cost, quality, delivery and program risk.
• Experience managing suppliers through development, engineering changes, qualification, ramp-up and performance recovery.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills across multiple critical suppliers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including presenting strategies and risks to senior leadership.
• Experience working across Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Planning, Program Management, Finance, Contracts and Legal.

Nice to have

• Active U.S. government SECRET security clearance at the time of hire.
• Experience with aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems, or advanced aerospace and defense programs.
• Direct sourcing experience with airframe structures, landing gear, turbine engines, propulsion or flight-critical hardware.
• Experience with technically complex, high-value, sole-source or long-lead suppliers.
• Experience developing commodity strategies, supplier roadmaps, should-cost models and long-term agreements.
• Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, ITAR, export compliance and government contracting.
• Experience working with design engineering to improve manufacturability and reduce cost.
• Experience in prototype and production environments with aggressive schedules.
• Knowledge of supplier capacity planning, tooling strategies, production readiness and rate ramp.
• APICS/ASCM, CPSM, CPSD, PMP or another relevant professional certification.

Benefits

• Bonus
• Benefits package
• Equity (full-time regular employees)
• Temporary benefits package after 60 days (temporary employees)

Before you apply

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
• All offers are contingent on a cleared background check and possible reference check.
• Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits.
• Pay depends on factors such as skill set, experience, licenses, certifications and work location.

About the company

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company building intelligent systems to protect service members and civilians. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation technologies.