Senior Sourcing Specialist

Responsibilities

• Own sourcing and procurement for mechanical commodities, including machined parts, sheet metal, welded assemblies, structural composites, fasteners, hardware, castings, forgings, tubes, fittings, and other fabricated components supporting aerospace and defense programs.
• Identify, qualify, onboard, and manage suppliers against cost, quality, delivery, and technical requirements for prototype, development, and production builds.
• Request and evaluate supplier quotations, perform cost analyses, negotiate pricing and lead times, and execute purchase orders and long-term agreements.
• Partner with Engineering to review drawings, specifications, GD&T, manufacturing requirements, and engineering changes.
• Track supplier delivery, quality, responsiveness, and capacity; drive corrective actions and continuous improvement.
• Support new product introduction by ensuring material readiness, supplier capacity, and manufacturing feasibility.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Supplier Quality, Planning, and Program Management to resolve supply chain issues and maintain production schedules.
• Coordinate First Article Inspection (FAI), PPAP where applicable, AS9100 compliance, and supplier qualification activities.
• Monitor supply risks, capacity constraints, and long-lead materials while developing mitigation plans.
• Maintain ERP data, including supplier information, lead times, pricing, sourcing decisions, and purchasing documentation.
• Identify cost savings, lead-time reductions, process improvements, and supplier-consolidation opportunities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, purchasing, or supply chain management supporting mechanical commodities within aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Experience sourcing precision machined components, sheet metal fabrications, welded assemblies, structural components, castings and forgings, fasteners and hardware, composites, or tubes and fittings.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, bills of material (BOMs), and manufacturing specifications.
• Experience negotiating supplier pricing, lead times, and commercial terms.
• Working knowledge of CNC machining, welding, fabrication, finishing, heat treat, plating, and assembly.
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems, FAI, and supplier qualification processes.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Excel for procurement, supplier management, and data analysis.

Nice-to-haves

• 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.
• Experience supporting prototype and production environments with aggressive schedule requirements.