Sourcing Manager (Starlink Aviation)

Sourcing Manager (Starlink Aviation)

Woodinville, WA

SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make possible a future where humanity is out exploring the stars, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

The Starlink Aviation team is developing in flight connectivity solutions for aircraft that connect to the Starlink constellation and provide an amazing customer experience in flight. As a Sourcing Manager, you will be responsible for managing the supply chain for Starlink products across a variety of airframes and enterprise platforms. This position requires the ability to work with strategy, planning, engineering, finance, and legal teams, as well as third-parties such as partners and suppliers. The role demands strong quantitative and analytical skills, critical thinking, and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

The ideal candidate will have a successful track record sourcing high-mix medium volume custom parts and assemblies, developing and executing strategy, negotiating agreements and statements of work, defining internal process flows and improving efficiency, and managing supplier performance. Experience working in new and ambiguous environments while solving complex problems with a broad range of cross functional stakeholders will be key to success.

Responsibilities:

• Develop strong relationships with internal stakeholders, understanding their needs and consulting with them to build quality procurement strategies aligned to business requirements.
• Be the voice of reason and push engineering to make sound design decisions that are conducive to a high performing supply plan
• Drive make vs. buy decisions for new products and implement the strategy across the product lifecycle from development, qualification, and first article runs through stable production
• Manage contracts to ensure the performance of the supplier to contract obligations and ensure delivery, including expediting as necessary and reacting quickly to demand changes
• Manage all relevant master data in MRP to ensure accurate and complete information at all times. Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure demand signal accuracy and acceptable line of balance with supply
• Drive culture and projects to align with Supplier Scorecard and leading indicators, such as PO acknowledgement, on time delivery, promise data usage, compliance, etc.
• Coordinate with engineering and quality organizations to 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
• 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
• Build genuine relationships both internally and externally drive cross-functional teams to achieve the best outcome for SpaceX
• Understand the technical aspects of the manufacturing process and compliance landscape to identify opportunities and implement optimizations for cost, space, and process optimization and use data analytics to identify and parse process related opportunities, both internally and externally
• Communicate overall status to the management team including schedules, risks and mitigation actions and respond quickly to changes to the overall goals, schedule, and architecture
• Execute purchasing transactions within scope area by issuing purchase orders in a timely manner without error. Resolve invoice issues and ensure on time payment

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of experience working in one or more of the following; or 9+ years of experience working in one or more of the following in lieu of a degree:
• Engineering
• Purchasing
• Contract negotiation
• Material or production planning
• Operations or supply chain management
• Material cost control
• Master production scheduling

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• 3+ years of technical procurement experience in electronics or mechanical commodities, preferably in the aerospace industry
• Experience working with both international and US domestic suppliers
• Established relationships and familiarity working with aircraft component vendors.
• Knowledge of raw material, machining, fabrication, PCBA, harnessing, or electro-mechanical assemblies
• Familiar with AS9100 and FAA requirements. Experience working in a highly regulated environment
• Experience in product development (EVT), new product introduction (NPI) and mass production (MP)
• Material management and CTB (Clear to Build) proficiency
• Proven success working on cross-functional new product introduction projects, completing should cost models, and negotiating
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and purchasing/planning functions
• Exceptional written, verbal and presentation communication skills
• Ability to identify and resolve technical, operational and organizational problems with risk based decision making
• 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 level of integrity

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to work extended hours and some nights and weekends when needed
• Ability to travel and communicate outside of work hours - up to 50% work week travel may be required, including international travel
• Valid driver's license

Compensation and Benefits: Pay range: Sourcing Manager: $115,000.00 - $150,000.00/per year. Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

ITAR Requirements:

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to View email address on click.appcast.io.