US - Principal Subcontracts Specialist

Job Title: Principal Subcontracts Specialist
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Duration: 12+ Months, Possible Extension

Must be a US Citizen.

Must work in office for first 90 days before Hybrid option becomes available.

This position will lead the end-to-end cycle of FAR15 proposals and subcontracts supporting key Client programs. The selected candidate will support the Mechanical Assembly Government Sourcing team. They will be responsible for training and mentoring other team members as well as leading a commodity(s) within the team. Starting with proposal, fulfillment of the sales order, and ending with negotiating subcontracts or long-term purchase orders. The Lead Subcontracts Specialist will deliver compliant FAR15 packages to the Government, work closely with the Pricing organization, and negotiate with suppliers to get FAR15 compliant subcontracts in place.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute FAR15 subcontracts IAW FAR, DFARS and applicable regulations
• Build strong negotiation positions for contract execution
• Manage key program suppliers
• Mentor and train team members
• Build supplier strategies to enable best overall value to Client

You Must Have

• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in Sourcing, Procurement, Supply Chain, L&C, Business, or Finance
• US Person due to contractual requirements
• Subcontracting experience (FAR15)
• Detail-oriented and capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and people-oriented skills.
• Strong negotiation skills and processes

We Value

• Bachelor's Degree
• Experience working with subcontractors during all phases of the program lifecycle.
• Experience with Federal Acquisitions Regulations and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations
• Experience utilizing MS Office Suite, SAP, and other business tools used in the execution of subcontract management activities.
• Supply chain experience
• Procurement experience within defense, aerospace, or similar industry
• Experience managing subcontracts FFP, CP, CPIF, etc.
• Experience with Truthful Cost or Pricing Data (TCPD)
• Ability to understand and negotiate terms and conditions
• Ability to work independently

Prescreen Questions

1) FAR15 Compliance & Pricing Partnership

Question: "Walk me through a recent FAR15 procurement you led-from RFP/proposal through negotiation and award. How did you ensure compliance with FAR/DFARS and Truthful Cost or Pricing Data (TCPD) while partnering with Pricing and suppliers to deliver a compliant package on schedule?"

What to listen for:

• Concrete steps across the lifecycle (RFI/RFP, cost/price analysis, fact-finding, TINA/TCPD sweeps, BAFO, award).
• Clear knowledge of FAR/DFARS, TCPD requirements, and documenting cost/price justifications.
• Collaboration with Pricing, Engineering, and Programs to reconcile deltas and cure defects.
• Risk identification (e.g., data gaps, uncertified cost data) and mitigations.
• Outcome metrics: cycle time, audit findings (or lack thereof), savings/avoidance, on-time submittal.

2) Negotiation Strategy & Contract Types (FFP/CP/CPIF)

Question: "Describe a complex supplier negotiation you led involving FFP, CP, or CPIF subcontracts. How did you build your negotiation position (cost model, should-cost, BATNA) and ultimately balance best value to Client with compliance and supplier relationship health?"

What to listen for:

• Use of should-cost/cost models, market Client, and historicals to form targets.
• Tactics aligned to contract type (e.g., fee structure on CP/CPIF vs. price risk on FFP).
• Concessions strategy, escalation plan, and how they handled deadlocks.
• Results tied to price, delivery, quality, and risk (LTAs, incentives, remedies, service levels).
• Evidence of maintaining supplier trust while achieving measurable value.

3) Leadership, Mentoring & Multi-Task Execution

Question: "This role leads a commodity and mentors others while juggling multiple proposals and live awards. Share a specific example where you trained teammates through a tight-deadline proposal or audit prep-how did you set standards, delegate tasks, and keep everything compliant and on time?"

What to listen for:

• Structured approach: playbooks, checklists, templates (e.g., compliance matrix, data-request tracker).
• Coaching moments: improving teammates' cost narratives, BOEs, and source justification quality.
• Tools/process: SAP, MS Office (Excel cost models, SharePoint trackers), cadence meetings, dashboards.
• Outcomes: fewer rework cycles, clean internal/external reviews, on-time submittals, skill uplift in the team.
  
  
  Please share your latest resume at View email address on click.appcast.io .