A natural match if you have experience managing vendor relationships in consumer electronics or telecommunications and are comfortable with budget ownership.
Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.
Original posting from SpaceX via Greenhouse
SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
PROCESS SPECIALIST, VENDOR MANAGEMENT (STARLINK)
Starlink is a revolutionary satellite constellation, delivering low-latency broadband internet around the world and bringing an unprecedented opportunity to significantly impact communities, businesses, and governments worldwide. The Starlink Installer team is seeking a Vendor Manager to own the authorized installer network for their region — building durable partner relationships, holding vendors to performance, and driving the operating cadence that keeps installations on time and customers satisfied.
This role will include some sourcing and partner onboarding, but the long-term focus is vendor management: developing installer partners, enforcing SLAs, owning quarterly regional budgets, and running a weekly metrics review that includes customer sentiment. The ideal candidate has a strong background working with service-providing vendors in consumer electronics, telecommunications, or technology, and a track record of building strategic channel partnerships — not just closing deals, but staying in the relationship and driving results after the ink is dry.
Success will require systems thinking, commercial judgment, and excellent communication skills. This is a special opportunity to work at the cutting edge of satellite technologies with a world-class team focused on connecting the unconnected.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Own the health of the authorized installer network in your region, acting as the primary relationship owner for strategic installation partners
Identify, assess, and establish partnerships with authorized installers aligned with business needs; negotiate and close partnership deals between SpaceX and installation partners as coverage and capacity require
Hold vendors accountable to contracted SLAs (quality, cycle time, coverage, customer experience) and drive corrective action when performance slips
Own the quarterly budget for your region, including partner spend, capacity planning, and cost tradeoffs against service and coverage goals
Lead a weekly metrics review covering take rates, completed installations, issues, SLA performance, and customer sentiment; surface risks and actions to leadership
Monitor partner service quality and ensure compliance with company standards and customer expectations
Ensure partner readiness for nationwide (and regional) coverage; communicate readiness levels, requirements, schedules, and risks with clear ownership
Identify opportunities to improve installation processes and procedures to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction
Provide training and resources so partners can install product effectively and consistently
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (sales, engineering, regulatory, business, planning, customer experience, and finance)
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or a related discipline
2+ years of experience in vendor management, procurement/sourcing, channel partnerships, contract management, or omnichannel sales
2+ years of experience managing vendor or partner relationships after onboarding, not only sourcing new suppliers
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
5+ years of experience in vendor management, procurement/sourcing, channel partnerships, contract management, or omnichannel sales
Demonstrated success holding vendors to SLAs and recovering underperforming partners
Experience owning a P&L, regional budget, or similar commercial target
Strong relationship-building skills with a proven ability to influence external partners and internal stakeholders
Experience developing vendors or building sales/service channels in international or multi-region markets, with a track record of launching and scaling new products or services
Comfort running a recurring operating review (weekly/monthly metrics, customer sentiment, action tracking)
Independently motivated, with a demonstrated track record of project and partner ownership
Strong interpersonal, presentation, communication, and negotiation skills
Demonstrated technical aptitude in a professional setting
Strong proficiency using Microsoft Excel, SQL, and/or Power BI
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must be available to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to support critical milestones or operations
Must be willing to travel to other SpaceX offices, partner sites, and customer locations as needed; up to 25%
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
Source: SpaceX careers (Greenhouse)