The Strategic Sourcing Manager – Mechanical will lead sourcing strategies for critical mechanical commodities, including airframe structures, precision-machined components, landing gear systems, and propulsion and engine-related hardware. This role will identify and develop suppliers, lead competitive sourcing activities and negotiations, manage supplier performance, and establish long-term agreements that support cost, quality, delivery, and capacity objectives. The manager will partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Program Management, and Supplier Development to support new product introduction, production ramp-up, and supply-risk mitigation. The ideal candidate has strong aerospace or defense sourcing experience, can independently manage complex and flight-critical suppliers, and is able to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
Lead the strategic sourcing and procurement of critical mechanical commodities, with a primary focus on airframe structures, precision-machined components, landing gear systems, and propulsion and engine-related hardware.
Develop and execute commodity strategies that support prototype, development, qualification, and production requirements across aerospace and defense programs.
Own supplier selection, qualification, onboarding, and long-term management for complex and mission-critical components and systems.
Evaluate supplier capabilities across manufacturing processes, technical expertise, capacity, quality systems, financial stability, and production scalability.
Lead competitive sourcing activities, including requests for quotation, proposal analysis, supplier negotiations, cost modeling, source-selection recommendations, and contract execution.
Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, intellectual property provisions, capacity commitments, long-term agreements, and other commercial terms that reduce cost and program risk.
Partner closely with Engineering to review drawings, specifications, GD&T, bills of material, manufacturing requirements, statements of work, and engineering changes.
Drive early supplier involvement during design and development to improve manufacturability, reduce cost, shorten lead times, and minimize technical and schedule risk.
Develop a strong understanding of cost drivers associated with aircraft structures, machining, landing gear, engines, propulsion systems, special processes, and complex mechanical assemblies.
Perform detailed cost and price analysis using supplier cost breakdowns, historical pricing, market data, should-cost models, and manufacturing process knowledge.
Manage supplier performance across delivery, quality, cost, technical execution, responsiveness, and capacity while leading recovery plans and executive-level supplier reviews when performance falls below expectations.
Qualification
Ability to obtain and maintain a UAirframe and structural assembliesMetallic and composite structuresPrecision-machined componentsLanding gear systems and componentsEngines and propulsion systemsEngine mounts and supporting structuresComplex mechanical assembliesActive UExperience supporting aircraftExperience managing technically complexFamiliarity with FAR
Required
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
7+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier management, or supply chain management within aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated experience leading complex sourcing efforts and independently managing critical suppliers, commodities, or major aircraft systems.
Experience sourcing one or more of the following commodity areas:
Airframe and structural assemblies
Metallic and composite structures
Precision-machined components
Landing gear systems and components
Engines and propulsion systems
Engine mounts and supporting structures
Complex mechanical assemblies
Preferred
Active U.S. government SECRET security clearance at the time of hire.
Experience supporting aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems, or advanced aerospace and defense programs.
Direct sourcing experience with airframe structures, landing gear, turbine engines, propulsion systems, or other flight-critical mechanical hardware.
Experience managing technically complex, high-value, sole-source, or long-lead suppliers.
