Senior Manager, Procurement

Epirus•Torrance, CA

11d

About The Position

Epirus designs and builds cutting-edge, high-powered microwave (HPM) systems that are redefining the capabilities of directed energy technology. With a proven foothold in the defense industry and expansion into adjacent commercial markets, we are transitioning from early production into scalable, high-rate manufacturing. The Senior Manager, Procurement is a high-visibility, cross-functional leader responsible for defining and executing procurement strategy, strengthening supplier performance, and building scalable supply chain processes across both commercial and government programs. This role operates at the intersection of engineering, manufacturing, contracts, legal, program management, finance, and quality. The leader will be responsible for building procurement capabilities that can support rapid growth, increasing production complexity, and evolving regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate is a strategic operator who can translate company objectives into disciplined execution, confidently drive cross-functional alignment, and make sound trade-offs in high-pressure environments where demand signals, design maturity, and production readiness may be imperfect. This position requires exceptional business judgment, strong communication skills, and demonstrated experience operating in both defense and commercial supply chain environments. Job Summary: This role operates at the intersection of engineering, manufacturing, contracts, legal, program management, finance, and quality. The leader will be responsible for building procurement capabilities that can support rapid growth, increasing production complexity, and evolving regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate is a strategic operator who can translate company objectives into disciplined execution, confidently drive cross-functional alignment, and make sound trade-offs in high-pressure environments where demand signals, design maturity, and production readiness may be imperfect. This position requires exceptional business judgment, strong communication skills, and demonstrated experience operating in both defense and commercial supply chain environments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field
6+ years of progressive management experience leading procurement or supply chain teams
Experience operating in both commercial and regulated/government supply chain environments
Demonstrated success managing complex supply bases supporting production or manufacturing operations

Nice To Haves

Experience in defense, aerospace, electronics, or complex hardware manufacturing environments
Strong understanding of FAR/DFARS, AS9100, CPSR readiness, and defense procurement frameworks
Experience scaling supply chains from prototype/low-rate production into high-volume manufacturing
Ability to interpret technical drawings and engineering specifications
Proven success in supplier negotiations spanning both commercial and government contracts
Strong vendor management experience with domestic and international suppliers
Demonstrated ability to improve procurement KPIs (cost, delivery, cycle time, supplier performance)
Experience implementing or optimizing ERP systems (preferably Oracle Fusion Cloud SCM or similar)
Strong analytical, communication, and decision-making skills in fast-paced environments
Deep experience leading end-to-end supplier negotiations, including both pricing and non-pricing commercial terms
Strong background in reviewing and negotiating contract Terms & Conditions (T&Cs), ideally in defense, aerospace, or complex manufacturing environments
Familiarity with legal and contractual frameworks including FAR/DFARS, IP clauses, liability structures, and flow-down requirements
Demonstrated ability to balance commercial outcomes with legal and operational risk considerations in supplier agreements

Responsibilities

Develop and execute enterprise supplier negotiation strategies across commercial and government supply bases
Lead multi-year cost reduction initiatives, value engineering efforts, and strategic sourcing agreements
Establish cost control frameworks including should-cost modeling, competitive sourcing, and total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis
Ensure suppliers meet cost, schedule, and performance expectations aligned to production and program requirements
Own material availability strategy across production programs, ensuring alignment with engineering changes, demand signals, and production schedules
Translate evolving or imperfect planning signals into executable procurement actions (RFQs, POs, capacity commitments)
Proactively manage supplier responsiveness during demand volatility and scaling transitions
Resolve supply disruptions, PO discrepancies, and invoice issues with urgency and accountability
Independently lead high-value supplier negotiations across commercial and government contracts, including pricing, lead time, capacity commitments, and long-term supply agreements
Review, draft, and negotiate complex commercial terms and conditions (T&Cs), ensuring appropriate balance of risk, liability, and performance expectations
Interpret and negotiate contract structures including IP ownership, warranty, indemnification, flow-down clauses, and FAR/DFARS requirements
Partner closely with Legal and Contracts to ensure procurement agreements are structurally sound, enforceable, and aligned with program risk posture
Drive negotiation strategy across key suppliers to improve cost, reduce risk exposure, and secure priority capacity during scaling phases
Serve as a primary procurement leader interfacing with Finance, Engineering, Planning, and Program Management
Drive alignment across competing priorities, ensuring procurement decisions reflect total business impact
Confidently challenge assumptions and advocate for supply chain realities using data-driven reasoning and sound judgment
Establish clear decision frameworks and escalation paths to accelerate resolution of cross-functional trade-offs
Maintain strong supplier relationships that support long-term reliability, scalability, and performance
Develop procurement dashboards and KPIs covering supplier health, risk, cost performance, and delivery metrics
Communicate supply chain status, risks, and mitigation strategies to executive leadership and stakeholders
Ensure procurement operations align with company policies, audit readiness, and regulatory requirements
Support ERP stabilization and optimization efforts during system maturation (Oracle Fusion Cloud SCM or equivalent)
Lead, coach, and develop a growing procurement team (scaling from ~3 to 10 within 12 months)
Establish clear operating rhythms, accountability structures, and performance expectations
Build a culture of ownership, urgency, and disciplined execution
Support organizational scaling through workforce planning and capability development
Design and standardize scalable procure-to-pay (P2P) processes that support both low-rate and high-rate production
Drive procurement system maturity, data integrity, and workflow consistency
Lead readiness efforts for AS9100, CPSR, DCMA audits, and internal compliance reviews
Improve procurement tooling, automation, and reporting to increase transparency and efficiency