Supply Chain Specialist, Strategic Vendors

 

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

Mission-Driven Problem Solvers – The problems in missile defense demand ingenuity. We want engineers who approach challenges with curiosity, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and stay focused on delivering the best solution for the mission.

Total Ownership – We seek engineers who take full responsibility for delivering flight-ready work while recognizing that no one succeeds alone. The best engineers make their teammates better, knowing that complementary skills create force multiplication and drive mission success.

Supply Chain Specialist, Strategic Vendors 

DESCRIPTION

The Supply Chain Specialist, Strategic Vendors will own Long Wall’s most critical supplier relationships, serving as the primary point of contact and accountable owner for vendors supporting our missile defense programs.

This role manages the supplier lifecycle end-to-end, from sourcing and selection through negotiation, onboarding, delivery, and ongoing performance management for the Company’s most important vendors. Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and Legal, this person will ensure that our suppliers meet demanding technical, scheduling, and compliance requirements. The role will also include regular travel to supplier sites for capability assessments, business reviews, and hands-on issue resolution. We’re looking for someone who treats supplier management as a craft. Someone who can build strong relationships, negotiate effectively, take ownership when issues arise, and move quickly to get to a solution. The right person will be comfortable operating with a high level of ownership in a fast-paced aerospace and defense environment.

• Own and manage the Company’s most critical vendor relationships, acting as the primary point of contact and single accountable owner for strategic suppliers
• Own the vendor process end-to-end- sourcing, evaluation, selection, negotiation, onboarding, delivery, and post-delivery performance management
• Lead strategic sourcing activities, including RFI/RFQ/RFP processes, supplier capability assessments, and second-source evaluations
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, terms, and long-term agreements with strategic suppliers, in partnership with Legal and Finance
• Travel to vendor sites to conduct capability assessments, quarterly business reviews, and on-site issue resolution
• Monitor and manage supplier performance against quality, cost, and on-time delivery targets, including scorecards, business reviews, and corrective action follow-through
• Manage delivery schedules and purchase order execution for owned suppliers, proactively expediting and resolving shortages, delays, and escalations
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality to align supplier capabilities with technical requirements, drawings, and specifications
• Identify and mitigate supply risks, including single-source dependencies, capacity constraints, and long-lead material exposure
• Ensure suppliers meet applicable compliance requirements, including ITAR/EAR export control and quality system expectations
• Maintain accurate supplier, pricing, and purchase order data in the ERP system
• Drive continuous improvement and cost reduction initiatives across the supply base as the Company scales

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field

5+ years of progressive experience in supply chain, procurement, or supplier/vendor management, with direct ownership of strategic supplier relationships

Demonstrated experience owning supplier relationships end to end, from sourcing and selection through delivery and ongoing performance management

Strong negotiation skills, with experience negotiating pricing, terms, lead times, and supplier agreements

Experience managing supplier performance through scorecards, business reviews, and corrective actions

Experience working in ERP and procurement systems and analyzing supplier, cost, and delivery data to drive decisions

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders at all levels

Willingness and ability to travel regularly to domestic vendor sites

Experience within aerospace & defense or another complex, highly regulated manufacturing environment

Experience sourcing complex hardware such as machined components, electronics, or aerospace-grade materials

Working knowledge of ITAR/EAR export control requirements and FAR/DFARS flow-downs

Experience building or improving sourcing and procurement processes in a fast-growing company

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills

CPSM, CSCP, CPIM, or other relevant supply chain certification is a plus

Ability to travel up to 25% of the time

Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time

Ability to use a computer to complete assignments

Ability to communicate with individuals and groups in person, by phone and via telepresence

Ability to pick up to 50lbs

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will typically work in an office environment

This position requires access to information protected under US export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations.  As such, US person status (including US citizens, U.S. permanent residents, individuals granted U.S. asylum status, or individuals admitted in U.S. refugee status) is a required qualification for this position.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, genetics, or citizenship status (when otherwise legally authorized to work and access export-controlled data) and will not be discriminated against on the basis of such characteristics or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We encourage applicants of all ages.