# Associate Sourcing Specialist

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** Dallas, TX
**Role:** Business Operations
**Salary:** $69k – $100k/yr
**Experience:** 3+ years
**Skills:** Supply Chain Management, Sourcing, purchasing, supplier management, purchase orders, engineering drawings, boms, erp/mrp, Excel, cnc machining, welding, as9100, first article inspection, far, dfars
**Posted:** 2026-08-04

> Sources mechanical components and manages supplier performance, quotations, purchase orders, and material readiness for aerospace and defense manufacturing programs. Requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, 3+ years in sourcing or purchasing, and familiarity with engineering drawings, ERP systems, and manufacturing processes.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Source and procure mechanical commodities, including machined parts, sheet metal, welded assemblies, structural components, fasteners, hardware, castings, forgings, composites, and other fabricated components for aerospace and defense programs.
- Solicit supplier quotations, evaluate pricing and lead times, negotiate routine commercial terms, and execute purchase orders.
- Manage supplier relationships to ensure on-time delivery, quality, and responsiveness; escalate performance issues as needed.
- Partner with Engineering to review drawings, specifications, bills of material (BOMs), and engineering changes.
- Support new product introduction (NPI) by coordinating supplier quotes, prototype builds, and material readiness.
- Collaborate with Planning, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supplier Quality to resolve supply chain issues, expedite critical hardware, and support production schedules.
- Track supplier commitments, monitor delivery performance, and communicate risks affecting production or program milestones.
- Support supplier qualification, First Article Inspection (FAI), and quality requirements.
- Maintain supplier data, pricing, lead times, and purchasing documentation in the ERP system.
- Identify cost savings, lead-time improvements, and process efficiencies.

## Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
- 3+ years of experience in purchasing, sourcing, or supply chain management supporting manufacturing or aerospace/defense environments.
- Experience sourcing mechanical commodities such as precision machined components, sheet metal fabrications, welded assemblies, structural components, fasteners and hardware, castings and forgings, or composites.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, BOMs, and manufacturing specifications.
- Experience obtaining supplier quotations, negotiating pricing and lead times, and managing purchase orders.
- Basic understanding of CNC machining, welding, fabrication, finishing, and assembly.
- Strong organizational and analytical skills.
- Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Experience using ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Excel.

## Nice-to-haves
- Familiarity with aerospace quality systems such as AS9100 and FAI processes.
- Experience supporting aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing industries.
- Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, ITAR, and export compliance requirements.
- Experience supporting prototype, development, and production programs.
- Exposure to supplier performance management and continuous improvement.
- APICS/ASCM or CPSM certification.

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