WHAT WE LOOK FOR
Mission-Driven Problem Solvers– The problems in missile defense demand ingenuity. We want engineers who approach challenges with curiosity, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and stay focused on delivering the best solution for the mission.
Total Ownership– We seek engineers who take full responsibility for delivering flight-ready work while recognizing that no one succeeds alone. The best engineers make their teammates better, knowing that complementary skills create force multiplication and drive mission success.
Supply Chain Specialist, Strategic Vendors
DESCRIPTION
The Supply Chain Specialist, Strategic Vendors will own Long Wall’s most critical supplier relationships, serving as the primary point of contact and accountable owner for vendors supporting our missile defense programs.
This role manages the supplier lifecycle end-to-end, from sourcing and selection through negotiation, onboarding, delivery, and ongoing performance management for the Company’s most important vendors. Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and Legal, this person will ensure that our suppliers meet demanding technical, scheduling, and compliance requirements. The role will also include regular travel to supplier sites for capability assessments, business reviews, and hands-on issue resolution. We’re looking for someone who treats supplier management as a craft. Someone who can build strong relationships, negotiate effectively, take ownership when issues arise, and move quickly to get to a solution. The right person will be comfortable operating with a high level of ownership in a fast-paced aerospace and defense environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Own and manage the Company’s most critical vendor relationships, acting as the primary point of contact and single accountable owner for strategic suppliers
- Own the vendor process end-to-end- sourcing, evaluation, selection, negotiation, onboarding, delivery, and post-delivery performance management
- Lead strategic sourcing activities, including RFI/RFQ/RFP processes, supplier capability assessments, and second-source evaluations
- Negotiate pricing, lead times, terms, and long-term agreements with strategic suppliers, in partnership with Legal and Finance
- Travel to vendor sites to conduct capability assessments, quarterly business reviews, and on-site issue resolution
- Monitor and manage supplier performance against quality, cost, and on-time delivery targets, including scorecards, business reviews, and corrective action follow-through
- Manage delivery schedules and purchase order execution for owned suppliers, proactively expediting and resolving shortages, delays, and escalations
- Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality to align supplier capabilities with technical requirements, drawings, and specifications
- Identify and mitigate supply risks, including single-source dependencies, capacity constraints, and long-lead material exposure
- Ensure suppliers meet applicable compliance requirements, including ITAR/EAR export control and quality system expectations
- Maintain accurate supplier, pricing, and purchase order data in the ERP system
- Drive continuous improvement and cost reduction initiatives across the supply base as the Company scales
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field
- 5+ years of progressive experience in supply chain, procurement, or supplier/vendor management, with direct ownership of strategic supplier relationships
REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES:
- Demonstrated experience owning supplier relationships end to end, from sourcing and selection through delivery and ongoing performance management
- Strong negotiation skills, with experience negotiating pricing, terms, lead times, and supplier agreements
- Experience managing supplier performance through scorecards, business reviews, and corrective actions
- Experience working in ERP and procurement systems and analyzing supplier, cost, and delivery data to drive decisions
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders at all levels
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly to domestic vendor sites
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES:
- Experience within aerospace & defense or another complex, highly regulated manufacturing environment
- Experience sourcing complex hardware such as machined components, electronics, or aerospace-grade materials
- Working knowledge of ITAR/EAR export control requirements and FAR/DFARS flow-downs
- Experience building or improving sourcing and procurement processes in a fast-growing company
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
- CPSM, CSCP, CPIM, or other relevant supply chain certification is a plus
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time
- Ability to use a computer to complete assignments
- Ability to communicate with individuals and groups in person, by phone and via telepresence
- Ability to pick up to 50lbs
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee will typically work in an office environment
The compensation range for this role is $120,000 - $170,000/yr
This is the lowest-to-highest compensation range we reasonably and in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.
In addition to base pay and equity, we offer:
- Heavily employer-subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
- Long Wall paid life insurance and LTD coverage
- 4% 401k match
- Student loan repayment assistance program
- Paid parental leave
- Family planning assistance program
- Long Wall paid financial wellness program
- Paid time off for non-exempt employees and flexible vacation policy for exempt employees