Senior Mechanical Sourcing Manager – Aerospace & Defense

Salient Motion, Inc.; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Healthcare benefits

Life insurance

Flexible PTO

401K

Job summary

Salient Motion, Inc. is seeking a Category Manager, Mechanical Equipment to own the sourcing of precision components and raw materials for actuator lines.

You will manage supplier relationships, drive NPI procurement, and lead supplier audits to ensure on-time delivery and cost targets. This role requires US person status due to export controls and involves collaboration with Salient Motion's in-house machine shop.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in strategic sourcing or supply chain for precision mechanical components.
• Experience sourcing machined/forged/cast components and raw materials.
• Knowledge of GD&T, material certifications, and special processes.
• Experience negotiating supply agreements with machine shops and distributors.
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems and supplier qualification.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field, or equivalent.
• U.S. Person status under ITAR (22 CFR 120.15).

Responsibilities

• Own commodity strategy and supplier selection for gears, housings, bearings, shafts, and machined parts.
• Lead sourcing for new programs from RFQ through award; negotiate cost, lead time, and capacity.
• Own procurement for NPI; involve early supplier involvement and right-first-time selection.
• Qualify and develop precision machining, forging, and casting suppliers; lead audits.
• Partner with design and manufacturing on material selection balancing cost and manufacturability.
• Develop should-cost and price targets for mechanical commodities; drive negotiations.
• Manage supplier corrective actions for dimensional, material, or process quality escapes.
• Negotiate long-term agreements and POs with key machine shops and distributors.
• Ensure supplier compliance with AS9100, ITAR/EAR and traceability requirements.
• Support make/buy decisions and capacity planning with internal CNC shop.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Machined/forged components

GD&T knowledge

Supplier contract negotiation

AS9100 familiarity

U.S. Person ITAR

Engineering degree

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems (NetSuite, SAP, Epicor)

Job description

Salient Motion, Inc. is seeking a Category Manager, Mechanical Equipment to own the sourcing of precision components and raw materials for actuator lines.

You will manage supplier relationships, drive NPI procurement, and lead supplier audits to ensure on-time delivery and cost targets. This role requires US person status due to export controls and involves collaboration with Salient Motion's in-house machine shop.