Candidates with supply chain experience and strong supplier negotiation skills will find this sourcing role with SpaceX's Starship team.
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.
SOURCING MANAGER (STARSHIP)
The SpaceX supply chain department is a critical player in enabling Starship's mission to capitalize on SpaceX’s technological and market-changing successes. Our team will be part of managing an agile yet robust supply chain that will
enable a competitive advantage for the company. The functions within the department include procurement, planning and fulfillment, supplier development and quality, logistics and inventory. The sourcing manager will play a key role in enabling
SpaceX to meet the ambitious growth targets and greatly contribute to making us a multi-planetary.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Analyze supplier spend, capacity, and develop overall supplier negotiation and engagement strategies.
Implement sustainable cost controls and develop cost reduction improvement plans with suppliers
Ensure work centers are clear to build on time and that lineside health is meeting specifications like sensible min/max/reorder-points that are aligned to the MRP Demand plan
Have extreme ownership of the work center material health overall while working closely with production counterparts and engineering to stay on top of start to finish dates and cycle times
Manage production process or design change cut-ins etc.
Solve problems to recover from late breaking changes or shortages.
Ensure that the production reality (work center cycle time) is supported by a credible and well-thought out inventory demand-supply plan (vehicle exit rate)
Lead complex outsourcing and cross functional projects
Negotiate high value contracts and independently negotiate contract terminology, pricing, technical requirements, scope, and terms involving responsibility, liability, indemnification, and intellectual property with suppliers
Interpret the conditions and terms of contracts including fiscal and legal implications and advise management on all significant procedures and regulations affecting the contract
Act as liaison with external and internal customers on all matters affecting contractual agreements while ensuring compliance with all company policies and procedures and government regulations
Develop and lead commodity strategies for sheet metal, raw material, machined parts, hardware, and other aerospace components from cradle to grave
Be the “go to” resource for engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and new product introduction teams when determining best value suppliers, NPI sourcing plans, make vs. buy, should cost, buy complete strategies, and lead
times, etc.
Proactively investigate new market trends, supplier roadmaps, and collaborate with engineering on best path from a technology, cost, and supply standpoint
Drive design for manufacturability reviews with support from supplier quality and engineering.
Champion value- add and value engineering projects to improve part quality and reduce cost
Mitigate sole/single source risk and ensure continuity of supply.
Champion supplier discovery and visit supplier’s facilities to accurately assess technical capability, equipment, and capacity
Proactively update SpaceX management and engineering teams on all critical supply issues
Execute MRP planning messages for production parts including RFQ and PO placements
Resolve purchase order discrepancies and invoice issues; analyze procurement data and track key metrics to produce actionable insights and reports.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Advanced degree and 3+ years of experience working in one or more of the following; or bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience working in one or more of the following; or 9+ years of experience working in one or more of the following:
Engineering
Purchasing
Contract negotiation
Material or production planning
Operations or supply chain management
Material cost control
Master production scheduling
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Technical procurement, manufacturing, and vendor management experience
Experience reading datasheets, drawings, and blueprints
Proven track record of leadership and team building skills
Strong vendor management experience
Experience with contract negotiation
Experience in production purchasing
Exceptional analytical, problem solving, and organizational skills
Knowledge and skills in current technologies and applications (e.g. MS Office Suite, SQL, Access, etc.)
Effective written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
Ability to learn quickly and prioritize appropriately to meet customer and company needs
Excellent customer service skills
Detail-oriented, self-motivated and able to respond quickly to a fast-moving and ever-changing environment
Conducts all activities with the highest levels of integrity
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must be able to travel - up to 50% work week travel may be required, including international travel
Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet major milestones
This position is based in Starbase, TX and requires being onsite - remote work not considered
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)