Supply Chain Manager (Contingent)

Supply Chain Management and Procurement 

• Play a key role in defining and implementing supply chain strategies to meet the needs of the Program 

• Lead NPI activities for high complexity electromechanical components and assemblies from inception to production 

• Lead supplier sourcing activities for internal product teams (IPTs) developing spacecraft subsystems and customer hardware 

• Identify and manage supply chain risk including the development of contingency plans 

• Optimize component and supplier selection through cost analysis, total cost of ownership, and make-or-buy evaluations 

• Develop procurement plans by defining and implementing procurement strategies across products and programs 

• Lead end-to-end procurement activity from sourcing to program delivery 

• Identify and manage procurement risk including the development of contingency plans – i.e. supplier financial and/or schedule risk  

• Gather bids & lead reviews with program leadership and key stakeholders 

• Develop sourcing strategies aligned with technical product requirements 

• Develop negotiation plans based on the needs of the business 

• Lead supplier onboarding activities while maintaining and updating approved supplier lists (ASL) 

• Optimize component and supplier selection, analyze equipment costs and drive savings 

• Tactical buying purchase order generation for commodities, services and equipment 

 Supplier Management 

• Lead supplier due diligence initiatives and onboarding 

• Act as point of contact for suppliers by confirming delivery schedules, resolving non-conformities and discrepancies, and escalating delays 

• Contribute to maintaining supplier scorecards and department KPIs 

• Drive supplier relationship management to ensure responsiveness and reliability 

• Identify and mitigate supplier related technical and programmatic risks 

• Support the Quality team to address supplier non-conformances, ensuring timely implementation and verification of corrective actions 

 Engineering Coordination 

• Own assigned engineering work packages to maintain control of the costed bill of materials and enable smooth, timely supply delivery 

• Influence design decisions by proactively identifying and advocating for feasible, cost-effective solutions 

• Work upstream with the technical community to accelerate and de-risk procurement for long lead and EEE components 

 Production & Manufacturing Operations Coordination 

• Lead Clear to Build reviews 

• Coordinate BoM Readiness Reviews (BRR) 

• Coordinate and support Manufacturing Readiness Reviews (MRR) and Test Readiness Reviews (TRR) 

• Participate in production standups communicating expected delivery dates, delays and key updates 

• Coordinate schedules and expected deliverables to operations groups 

Continuous Improvement & Systems Development 

• Support ERP system refinement and data accuracy to enhance visibility and decision-making 

• Develop scalable processes & tools to support Kepler’s growth toward larger constellation production 

• Identify automation or digitization opportunities for supply chain data collection activities 

• Help drive implementation of inventory management system (IMS) 

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or any other relevant degree 

• NetSuite experience

• Previous work in space, aerospace, or a high complexity hardware industry 

• Experience with CGP, ITAR, EAR, or Controlled Goods sourcing & procurement 

• Experience building scalable & sustainable processes & tools 

• Lean Six Sigma or PMP designation 

• Experience reading and analyzing engineering drawings and 3D models 

• Experience with supplier terms and conditions or master supplier agreements (MSA) covering pricing structures, lead times, warranty, quality standards, and delivery terms