Sourcing Specialist (Starship Launch Pad)

SOURCING SPECIALIST (STARSHIP LAUNCH PAD)

SpaceX is on a fast track to become the market leader in various product categories, including 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 the company to maintain a competitive advantage. SpaceX's supply chain will play a key role in enabling it to meet these ambitious growth targets and help make us a multi-planetary species.

This is a high-profile, operationally critical position that plays an integral role in enabling our launch manifest and key developmental goals. We are a progressive procurement organization pushing the boundaries of traditional procurement reputation and methodologies. We are looking for individuals who can think outside the box to achieve company objectives regarding value and partnerships with our suppliers. Our organization moves quickly, and you must too. SpaceX has the unique ability and desire to influence and shape suppliers to be better with us as we challenge our supply chain on cost, quality, and delivery. The Supply Chain team has aggressive objectives that positively impact our product and bottom line. We are looking for the right person who is equipped and ready for these challenges to join our team. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create commodity and capital sourcing strategies to reduce risk, enable continuous cost reduction, and align with company strategy on payment terms, cash targets, on-time delivery, and cost savings
• Develop and maintain key internal stakeholder relationships to evaluate sourcing models and optimize the value of products and services that support business requirements; maintain continuous cost reduction programs; communicate, manage, and drive compliance to category strategies; provide solutions to a wide range of difficult problems
• Develop and improve sourcing strategies to reduce risk and meet targets for the Launch & Recovery program
• Ensure the health of the supply base by evaluating and selecting suppliers based on capability, quality, reliability, and price competitiveness
• Conduct comprehensive supplier analysis to formulate a strategic sourcing plan that identifies new/suitable suppliers, optimizes cost models, and proactively ensures continuity of supply based on upcoming new product introduction campaign requirements
• Maintain vendor delivery of goods and services; execute purchasing transactions within the scope area by issuing purchase orders for SpaceX programs and ensure delivery; manage all relevant master data to ensure accurate and complete information at all times
• Identify and execute cost reduction projects, including planning, stakeholder coordination, timeline management, and project updates
• Utilize negotiations to maximize value and cost savings benefits while lowering risk
• Conduct research, perform benchmarking, and gather market analysis for assigned categories; Act as a market intelligence provider regarding categories; anticipate strategic opportunities and keep key stakeholders informed
• 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
• Benchmark, track, and analyze annual performance metrics and sourcing trends against budget every month 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 to business requirements
• Drive make vs. buy decisions for new products, implement the strategy across the product lifecycle from development, qualification, first article runs through stable production
• Execute RFIs and RFPs, document bid events through correspondence to suppliers; conduct supplier negotiations and ongoing contract management
• Administer multimillion-dollar contracts and independently negotiate suppliers’ contract terminology, pricing, technical requirements, scope, and terms involving responsibility, liability, indemnification, intellectual property, and export compliance

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree and 1+ years of experience working in one or more of the following; or 4+ years of experience working in one or more of the following:
  • Engineering
  • Supply Chain
  • Purchasing
  • Contract negotiation
  • Material or production planning
  • Operations management
  • Material cost control
  • Master production scheduling

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience working in a supply chain, production, finance, or engineering function
• Remarkable problem-solving skills
• Ability to prioritize appropriately to meet internal customer and company needs
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with a strong ability to communicate with all levels of internal personnel
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to respond quickly to a fast-moving and ever-changing environment
• Strong budget tracking and cost analytical skills
• 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
• Strong skills in data analysis using Excel, SQL, and Power BI
• Ability to identify and resolve technical, operational, and organizational problems
• Holds self to the highest ethical standards, and conducts all activities with the highest integrity

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to travel - up to 25% work week travel may be required, including international travel
• Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to meet major milestones
• This position is based in Starbase, TX, and requires being on-site - remote work not considered