Sr. Manager, Strategic Sourcing

The Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing leads strategy and execution for aerospace and defense hardware, raw materials, and outsourced manufacturing, ensuring cost, quality, delivery, and compliance to customer and regulatory requirements. This role partners tightly with Operations, Programs, Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain to secure a resilient, high-performing strategic sourcing partnership that can support rate increases, NPI, and sustainment programs across portfolios.

Essential Functions

• Develop and execute multi-year sourcing and commodity strategies for direct materials (e.g., machined parts, castings/forgings, composites, electronics, mechanical assemblies) and external manufacturing partners (contract manufacturers, build-to-print suppliers).
• Own end-to-end direct procurement for assigned categories: supplier selection, RFx, cost modeling, negotiation, award decisions, and ongoing fulfillment to support program milestones and MRP requirements.
• Build and manage a high-performing supply base capable of meeting aerospace and defense standards (e.g., AS9100, ITAR/EAR, customer flow-downs), including vetting, onboarding, and periodic re-qualification.
• Lead complex, fact-based negotiations on pricing, long-term agreements, capacity reservations, and risk-sharing constructs to secure cost competitiveness and supply continuity in constrained markets.
• Drive supplier performance management for key direct and external manufacturing suppliers: establish KPIs (OTD, quality, lead time, capacity), run QBRs, and lead recovery and development plans where performance is off-track.
• Partner with Engineering and Program Management on make-vs-buy decisions, design-to-cost / design-for-manufacturability initiatives, and early supplier involvement for new products and technology insertions.
• Anticipate and mitigate supply risk related to geopolitical factors, sole/single-source dependencies, capacity constraints, and critical materials; implement dual-sourcing, regionalization, and inventory/lead-time strategies.
• Support production rate readiness and ramp-ups by aligning sourcing strategies with industrialization and capacity plans, including external manufacturing footprint and tooling strategies.
• Ensure contracts and purchase agreements reflect Aerospace / Defense requirements (security, export controls, cybersecurity, IP, warranties, FAR/DFARS flow-downs where applicable) in partnership with Legal and Contracts.
• Use data and digital tools (ERP/MRP, e-sourcing, spend analytics) to perform spend analysis, TCO modeling, and scenario planning; report savings, inflation offsets, and risk status to senior leadership.
• Lead and develop a team of sourcing/category professionals supporting direct materials and external manufacturing, setting clear goals and coaching on A&D sourcing best practices.
• Perform other duties as required.
• Regular and reliable attendance on a full time basis [or in accordance with posted schedule].
• Responsible for exhibiting professional behavior with both internal and external business associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company's policies and practices.
• Embodies AEVEX’s cultural values and aligns daily actions with department goals and company culture.

Qualifications

• Security Clearance -Ability to obtain/maintain a Top Secret SCI DoD clearance, U.S. Citizenship required
• Strong understanding of aerospace and defense manufacturing and quality systems, including AS9100/ISO requirements, PPAP/FAI, and supplier APQP/PPAP-like processes, as well as export control considerations (ITAR/EAR).
• Demonstrated success leading strategic sourcing for direct categories and/or external manufacturing, including global supplier identification, should-cost/TCO analysis, complex negotiations, and long-term agreements.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and procurement tools; comfortable using data and analytics to drive decisions and communicate trade-offs to senior stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and influence skills; proven ability to partner effectively with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Programs, Finance, and Executive leadership in a highly regulated environment.

Leadership Competencies

• Directs and provides expert knowledge in the day-to-day function of the department.
• Identifies, recruits, and retains top-notch talent.
• Champions AEVEX’s culture and empowers employees to take responsibility for their jobs and goals.
• Coaches, mentors, engage and develop the team, including overseeing new employee onboarding and providing career development planning and learning opportunities.
• Sets performance standards and encourages employee engagement and results through delegation, continuous feedback, goal setting, and performance management.
• Maintains transparent communication. Appropriately communicates organization information through department meetings, one-on-one meetings, and appropriate email, and regular interpersonal communication.
• Provides oversight and direction to the employees in accordance with AEVEX’s policies and procedures.

Education / Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field; advanced degree or professional certifications (CPSM, CSCP, PMP, Lean Six Sigma) preferred.

Experience

• 7–10+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, direct materials procurement, or supply chain within aerospace, defense, or closely related industries (e.g., automotive, high-tech hardware)
• Experience managing supplier performance for direct and external manufacturing suppliers with measurable improvements in OTD, quality, lead time, and cost.

Physical Requirements

Constantly required to sit, and to reach to use computers and other office equipment Note: For the purpose of this summary, occasionally is used to represent up to 1/3 of the time given to the work day, frequently represents 1/3 to 2/3 of the time and constantly represents 2/3 or more of the time.

About AEVEX 

AEVEX, headquartered in Solana Beach, California, supports the U.S. national security mission and partner nation needs around the world by providing full-spectrum aviation, remote sensing, and analysis solutions. The company's capabilities include custom design and engineering; rapid prototyping; sensor integration and sustainment; aircraft modification and certification; flight test instrumentation and support; mission operations service; advanced intelligence data processing, exploitation, and dissemination solutions; and tailored hardware and software mission-system tools. AEVEX uses agile and customized approaches to rapidly define, develop, and deliver specialized solutions for airborne special mission needs for the U.S. Government, partner nations, and commercial businesses. AEVEX has major offices in California, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia.

AEVEX provides a full suite of comprehensive benefits, including a 401(k)-retirement plan, comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability and Life insurance group coverage with a portion of the premiums paid by the company, professional development funds, and an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) with counseling, legal help, child and elder care support, among other benefits for qualified employees.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

AEVEX is an Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religious creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, breast feeding and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, military and veteran status, marital status, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, physical disability, mental disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.