Sourcing Specialist (Starlink)

SOURCING SPECIALIST (STARLINK) 

SpaceX is on a fast track to becoming the market leader in various product categories like US-based human spaceflight, rapid vehicle reusability, internet services through the Starlink constellation, and other exciting projects. The SpaceX Supply Chain Department is a critical player in our operations. 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. SpaceX's Supply Chain will play a key role in enabling SpaceX to meet these ambitious growth targets and greatly contribute to making us a multi-planetary species.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct comprehensive supplier analysis to formulate a strategic sourcing plan that identifies new/suitable suppliers, optimizes cost structures, and proactively ensures continuity of supply based on macro market or industry trends. Manage the supply base by implementing a precise supplier stratification model and executing a documented supplier management playbook
• Ensure the health of the supply base by evaluating and selecting suppliers based on capability, quality, reliability, and price competitiveness. Ensure supplier meets all critical measures of performance consistently by consistently executing an operating plan with clear goals and control plans
• Analyze supplier operations to assess technical capability, equipment, and capacity for rapid deployment of new product development and long-term production to implement a successful E2E product life cycle management strategy and process
• Direct and execute initiatives that support aggressive improvements in supplier quality, total cost effectiveness, enhanced service levels, improved coordination, delivery, pricing, lead times, payment, risk compliance, and other areas as identified
• Develop supplier scorecard to measure supplier performance against agreed-upon key performance indicators; tracks compliance and supports formal management reporting to director and other members of senior management. Benchmark, track, and analyze annual performance metrics and sourcing trends against monthly budget to demonstrate continuous improvement and progress against strategic objectives
• Develop strong relationships with internal stakeholders, understanding their needs and consulting with them to build quality procurement strategies aligned with business requirements
• Be the voice of reason and push engineering to make sound design decisions that are conducive to a high-performing supply plan
• Coordinate with engineering and quality organizations to determine the cause of rejected material and to drive appropriate changes to ensure the elimination/reduction of those quality issues
• Administer moderate to large contracts and independently negotiate with supplier’s contract terminology, pricing, technical requirements, scope, and terms involving responsibility, liability, indemnification, intellectual property, and export compliance
• Execute purchasing transactions within the scope area by issuing purchase orders for SpaceX programs and ensuring delivery. Manage all relevant master data in MRP to ensure accurate and complete information at all times
• Consult and advise buyers and planners on strategies and tactics to ensure their success and development. Provide high-level oversight and support to ensure operational success in tactical procurement execution
• Conduct director-level supply base health and performance scorecard and ensure executive support for the supply base management plan
• Procure connectors, components, and cable/harness via material requirements planning (MRP)
• Keep up with electronic market component trends while developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with major component distributors and manufactures
• Source, support, and drive alternate component qualification through engineering and quality teams 
• Coordinate and drive alignment between SpaceX's future designs and preferred supplier technology road maps

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree and 4+ years of experience working in one or more of the following; or 6+ 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:

• 2+ years of technical procurement experience in electronics, connector, and harness sourcing
• Knowledge of wire, connector, harness assembly
• Experience in product development (EVT), new product introduction (NPI) and mass production (MP)
• Material management and CTB (Clear to Build) proficiency
• Knowledge of and established relationships with franchised distributors and components manufacturers
• Strong understanding of the cable/connector market, trends, technology leaders, and current pricing trends in the market
• Experience reading drawings and blueprints
• Technical knowledge in a commodity (e.g. composites raw material, composite component manufacturing, machining, avionics, soft goods etc.)
• Experience in sourcing from a global supply base using various contractual models
• Proven success working on cross-functional new product introduction projects, completing cost models, and negotiating
• Familiarity with ERP systems and purchasing/planning functions
• Exceptional written, verbal and presentation communication skills
• Ability to identify and resolve technical, operational and organizational problems
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated and able to respond quickly to a fast-moving and ever-changing environment
• Ability to conduct all activities with the highest of integrity

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed
• Ability to travel up to 50%