Material Project Manager

Leidos; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 92,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Material Project Manager in Huntsville, AL to lead material strategy, manage open purchase orders, and drive supplier accountability. The role focuses on risk mitigation, budget objectives, and timely deliveries within aDefense/Aerospace context.

Ideal candidates have a BA with 8–12 years of experience (or a Master’s with 6–10), US citizenship, and the ability to obtain a Secret clearance. On-site responsibilities call for strong collaboration with Manufacturing and PMO teams.

Qualifications

• BA degree and 8–12 years of experience in material project management, procurement, or supply chain.
• US citizenship and ability to obtain Secret clearance.
• Strong knowledge of supply chain systems and material procurement.
• Excellent written and oral communication at all levels.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced on-site manufacturing environment.
• Self-starter with ability to influence across functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of material strategy across the program by managing open purchase orders, resolving delays, and driving supplier accountability.
• Act as the primary interface between Leidos and key suppliers, escalating delivery risks and ensuring contractual adherence.
• Explain to senior leaders the value, schedule and decision points impacting delivery of commodities.
• Provide summaries and compile program metric data and statistics.
• Manage projects from requirements justification through planning, execution and evaluation.
• Participate in procurements approval processes and drive process improvements.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Creative problem solving

Communication

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

BA degree with 8–12 years

Master’s degree with 6–10 years

Tools

MS Office

Deltek Costpoint

PowerBI

Job description

Material Project Manager Huntsville, AL US citizen, ability to obtain Secret clearance

Every program has a promise. Behind it is a purchase order that has to land on time. You make sure it does. It’s Wednesday afternoon in Huntsville. A priority component is trending late, a supplier needs a firm answer, and the program manager is asking for a path forward before the next status review. Cost, schedule, and compliance all hang on a single open order. You pull up the PO, get the supplier on the line, and bring in Manufacturing. By the end of the day, the risk has a mitigation plan, the delivery has a new commitment, and leadership knows the decision point ahead. The program holds its schedule because you kept the material moving.

Your Greatest Work is Ahead

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people, who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

The Role

Leidos is excited to announce an opening for a Material Project Manager on our Global Supply Chain team in Huntsville, AL. The Material Project Manager (MPM) works as part of a team and focuses on execution of material strategy across the program by managing open purchase orders, resolving delays, and driving supplier accountability. In addition, the role includes, but is not limited to, identifying and mitigating program risks and opportunities as they pertain to material requirements; achieving program material budget objectives; managing program purchase requirements to lead time schedule; participating in sourcing process improvement projects (both Supply Chain and Program); resolving Supply Chain issues for the program; and resolving program material cost problems. The MPM reports to the Material Operations & Strategies Associate Director, is directly aligned to the Program Manager, and represents Material Operations & Strategies on customer programs. The MPM is an extension of the corporate shared services for supply chain related support. You’ll also be responsible for all activities associated with researching and recommending cost-effective purchase arrangements. You’ll work closely with the Manufacturing organization to review purchase requisitions for clarity, compliance, detail, completeness, and regulatory compliance, and to obtain additional information considered necessary. You’ll also work with the Manufacturing organization to actively manage the procurement process from order placement through receipt of products and subsequent payment of invoices. Some travel may be required. We’re looking for someone who is energetic, resilient, and creative in supporting corporate reporting requirements throughout program manufacturing execution obligations. You’ll promote a team atmosphere and help cultivate improved communication lines with agile problem-solving solutions. If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading.

What You’ll Do

• Lead execution of material strategy across the program by managing open purchase orders, resolving delays, and driving supplier accountability.
• Act as the primary interface between Leidos and key suppliers, escalating delivery risks, resolving performance issues, and ensuring adherence to contractual requirements.
• Articulate to senior leaders and personnel the value, schedule, and decision points that impact the efficient delivery of specific commodities (materials, hardware, and software).
• Provide summaries and aid in compilation of program metric data and statistics.
• Manage projects, including requirements justification, planning, executing, and evaluating.
• Play an integral part in the approval process for procurements.
• Use critical thinking skills to propose sound and innovative business solutions that increase operational efficiencies and ensure business area and program success.
• Mitigate and resolve supply chain challenges with priority deliveries and suppliers.
• Facilitate supplier negotiations and discussions to resolution with supply chain and program personnel.
• Articulate and drive execution of vision and goals for the corporate supply chain team in conjunction with program critical needs.
• Manage risk, including creating mitigation plans in coordination with the PMO and project team.
• Participate in Program Management Reviews, status meetings, and other programmatic subcontractor meetings as needed.
• Perform Control Account Management, including establishing and maintaining a baseline, supporting EAC/ETC updates, and conducting variance analysis.
• Be a self-starter who is flexible and able to work independently at a higher level.

What You Bring (Basic Qualifications)

BA degree and 8–12 years of prior relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with 6–10 years of prior relevant experience, in material project management, procurement, or supply chain execution within Defense, Aerospace, or high-complexity industries. U.S. citizenship is required. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. Strong knowledge of Supply Chain and related systems, along with material procurement. Strong analytical and creative problem-solving abilities to understand and facilitate complex supply chain decision-making. Expert knowledge of industry practices, advanced techniques, and solutions within a professional discipline to develop new standards, processes, and solutions. Serves as a subject matter expert. Proven ability to be a self-starter and quick learner, capable of supporting efforts to achieve goals. Excellent written and oral communication skills at all levels, both internally and externally with customers and suppliers. Ability to work in a fast-paced situation with continuous innovation and flexibility in an on-site manufacturing environment. Excellent risk management methodologies. Ability to collaborate and effectively influence across multiple functions to achieve supply chain performance requirements. High level of proficiency in MS Office products (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project). Working knowledge of customer flow-through requirements such as AS9100, FAR, ITAR, OFFSET, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and public law.

Preferred Qualifications

Supplier relationship management experience. Deltek Costpoint experience. Ability to balance strategic thinking with tactical application of strategies to programs. PowerBI experience. Previous mechanical or electronic manufacturing environment experience a plus. Current and active Secret clearance.

Defense Supply Chain

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here.

Pay Range: Pay Range $92,300.00 - $166,850.00. The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.

Why It Matters

Leidos’ Defense Sector provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world’s toughest security challenges for customers with “can’t fail” missions. Explore more here.