Sourcing Manager (Starship)

About the role

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.