Sourcing Lead

The Sourcing Lead will play a critical role in shaping and optimizing the global supply chain for our defense operations. This role is responsible for sourcing new suppliers, establishing resilient supply chains, and driving cost-efficiency while maintaining compliance with strict industry regulations and security protocols. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of strategic sourcing within the defense sector, experience with security and compliance standards, and a track record of building and managing complex global supply chains.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Development:

• Lead the development and execution of sourcing strategies for defense-related products, ensuring alignment with business and regulatory requirements.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers with a focus on defense and security-specific needs, ensuring they meet high standards of quality, cost, and reliability.
• Establish and nurture long-term relationships with key suppliers to ensure ongoing supply chain resilience, security, and performance.
• Conduct market intelligence and competitive analysis to identify potential suppliers, new sourcing opportunities, and industry trends that align with defense requirements.

Supply Chain Setup & Optimization:

• Design, implement, and continuously improve global supply chains to meet the specific needs of defense contracts, ensuring timely delivery and compliance with regulations.
• Work cross-functionally with internal teams (e.g., engineering, operations, quality assurance) to ensure seamless integration of new suppliers and materials into the production process.
• Ensure that all supply chain processes are optimized for cost, efficiency, and risk mitigation while adhering to the highest standards of security and defense protocols.

Security & Compliance Management:

• Work closely with security and compliance teams to ensure all sourcing decisions meet government and defense industry security standards and regulations.
• Manage supplier relationships and contracts with full compliance to the required security clearance levels and other regulatory frameworks (e.g., ITAR, EAR, NATO regulations).
• Monitor and mitigate supply chain risks, including geopolitical, financial, and logistical challenges, while maintaining full adherence to security clearance requirements.

Cost Management & Risk Mitigation:

• Lead cost-saving initiatives through strategic supplier negotiations and long-term agreements, ensuring that defense projects are completed within budget and according to project timelines.
• Assess and manage potential risks across the supply chain, including geopolitical, technological, and security-related risks, while ensuring compliance with defense-specific guidelines.
• Maintain strong cost controls and drive efficiencies across sourcing operations without compromising on quality or security requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with internal teams, including legal, contracts, engineering, and operations, to ensure alignment on sourcing strategies, contract negotiations, and supplier evaluations.
• Provide strategic insights and recommendations to senior leadership on supply chain and sourcing matters, ensuring alignment with long-term business goals.
• Lead or contribute to cross-functional projects that support defense programs and innovation initiatives.

Supplier Performance Management:

• Develop and implement performance metrics and monitoring systems to track supplier performance in terms of quality, delivery, cost, and compliance with security protocols.
• Conduct regular supplier audits and performance reviews to ensure adherence to contract terms, security standards, and production schedules.
• Drive continuous improvement within the supply chain by identifying opportunities to enhance supplier capabilities and streamline operations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field (advanced degree or MBA preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management within the defense, aerospace, or security industries.
• Proven experience working with government contracts, defense suppliers, and managing security clearance requirements (e.g., SC, DV, NATO).
• Strong understanding of global defense industry regulations (e.g., ITAR, EAR, NATO standards) and security protocols.
• Ability to manage complex supply chains, mitigate risks, and drive cost savings while maintaining security compliance.
• Exceptional negotiation skills with experience managing high-stakes supplier relationships in a regulated environment.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration experience, with the ability to engage stakeholders across legal, security, engineering, and operations teams.
• Familiarity with ERP and supply chain management software, with proficiency in advanced Excel or data analysis tools.
• Active security clearance (e.g., SC, DV, NATO), or the ability to obtain and maintain clearance, is required.

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