Strategic Sourcing Specialist

Bascom Hunter Technologies•Baton Rouge, LA

About The Position

Bascom Hunter is building advanced aerospace and defense hardware. The Strategic Sourcing Specialist supports the company’s supply chain and supplier base, partnering with program managers, engineering, and manufacturing to identify, evaluate, and qualify vendors for materials, components, and services. The role ensures suppliers meet technical requirements, quality standards, delivery timelines, cost objectives, and applicable compliance requirements. It also involves researching suppliers, conducting capability assessments, supporting contract negotiations, and maintaining long-term supplier relationships.

Requirements

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
At least 2 years of sourcing, procurement, or supply chain experience.
Familiarity with technical drawings, specifications, and manufacturing processes.
Strong negotiation, communication, and organizational skills.
Proficiency with sourcing tools, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Technical aptitude and ability to read and interpret engineering requirements.
Vendor relationship management skills.
Analytical problem-solving and cost analysis abilities.
Ability to work collaboratively across departments.
General understanding of supply chain functions and how they support engineering and manufacturing operations.

Nice To Haves

Sourcing, procurement, or supply chain experience in an engineering or manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

Identify, evaluate, and qualify suppliers for mechanical and electronic components and systems used primarily in aerospace and defense applications, ensuring they meet technical, quality, and compliance requirements.
Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships to support current and long-term program needs.
Conduct supplier audits and capability assessments to verify adherence to ITAR, DFARS, ISO, and other applicable defense industry standards.
Collaborate with quality and compliance teams to address gaps and maintain approved supplier status.
Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts to achieve cost-effective procurement while maintaining high quality and on-time delivery.
Work with legal and compliance teams to ensure agreements meet customer and defense procurement regulations.
Conduct market research to identify sourcing opportunities, track cost trends, and assess risks.
Develop and implement contingency plans to ensure uninterrupted supply for critical defense programs.
Monitor supplier performance through delivery schedules, quality metrics, and responsiveness, and address performance issues when needed.
Partner with engineering, production, quality, and project management teams to ensure materials and components meet technical specifications and project timelines.
Support new product development by contributing to sourcing strategies and supplier selection.