Supply Chain Specialist, Strategic Vendors
About The Position
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.
Requirements
- 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
- 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
- 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
- US person status (including US citizens, U.S. permanent residents, individuals granted U.S. asylum status, or individuals admitted in U.S. refugee status) is a required qualification for this position.
Nice To Haves
- 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
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
Benefits
- 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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
